Being a mostly work-at-home entrepreneur calls for lots of coffee shops and endless horror films to play in the background while I “work”. For some reason, I love to hear screams, blood splatters, and zombie roars while typing. Am I twisted? Maybe. But you’re here too so let’s get into it.

I’m always searching for horrors that keep me on my toes with creative scripts, plot twists, and the occasional emotional connection. These 5 really surprised me over the past year so I figured I’d share. They are in no particular order.

Gaia (2021)

Synopsis: A park ranger takes shelter with two survivalists after an attack by mysterious creatures in a primordial forest.

🍅 Rotten Tomatoes: 81% 🍅

Where to Stream: Got To Rent This One For Now

My Thoughts:

With big Last of Us vibes when it comes to the monsters, Gaia was as intriguing and thought-provoking as it was straight creepy. It’s either one big mushroom trip or a reminder there are reasons some people live off-grid. Either way, this one had me stuck to the screen with many “What the f*ck is happening” thoughts. Those are my favorite.

Afflicted (2013)

Synopsis: Two friends’ tour of Europe takes a dark turn when one of them contracts a mysterious illness. They race to find out what it is and how to cure it before the sickness consumes him completely.

🍅 Rotten Tomatoes: 83% 🍅

Where to Stream: Amazon Prime

My Thoughts:

For some reason, I rarely find found-footage horrors to be this scary. Afflicted really knocks this one out of the park. I won’t lie sometimes we associate memories with movies, and I have a really good memory of a perfect evening watching this with my girlfriend. So maybe that has influenced my opinion, but I don’t think so. Give it a shot.

Blood Red Sky (2021)

Synopsis: When a group of terrorists hijacks an overnight transatlantic flight, a mysteriously ill woman must unleash a monstrous secret to protect her young son.

🍅 Rotten Tomatoes: 79% 🍅

Where to Stream: Netflix

My Thoughts:

This is a mixture of a hijacking thriller and a monster horror. It’s brilliant and seems to have pulled a little inspiration from Train to Busan which I love. Lots of blood and action. Definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.

Sweetheart (2019)

Synopsis: A shipwreck survivor on an uninhabited island must fend off a malevolent force that surfaces each night.

🍅 Rotten Tomatoes: 95% 🍅

Where to Stream: Netflix

My Thoughts:

Sweetheart is REALLY well done. Sometimes the best horror/thriller movies are based around what you don’t see, and the suspense is everything!! That’s what is beautiful about films. It’s all about how it is shot and the story being told. All around a must-see. Another movie you may like if you like this one is Cold Skin also on Netflix.

Cargo (2017)

Synopsis: Stranded in rural Australia in the aftermath of a violent pandemic, an infected father desperately searches for a new home for his infant child and a means to protect her from his own changing nature.

🍅 Rotten Tomatoes: 88% 🍅

Where to Stream: Netflix

My Thoughts:

The best horror film (and films in general) are the ones that connect with you emotionally. This makes the horror that’s happening that much more real. Cargo does a phenomenal job of building this emotional arc with the main characters. In a world surrounded by zombies, it becomes much more about one man’s journey to saving his family. It’s a beauty.

If you like reading stories like these and would like to support me as a writer and creator, consider signing up to become a Medium member. It’s $5 a month, giving you unlimited access to stories on Medium. If you sign up using this link, I’ll earn a small but AWESOME commission 🤙

(also, i obviously don’t own any of these photos.)