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5 Dark and Disturbing Modern Foreign Horror Films

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Disturbing Foreign Horror

There’s something about foreign horror that really has the ability to get under your skin. Perhaps the unfamiliar faces of the actors better create a sense of realism. Maybe it’s the added focus on the dialogue from reading the subtitles. We’ve listed some of our favorite foreign horror films before, but this time we’re going to look at the truly dark and disturbing. Love them or hate them, they have an impeccable way of stabbing you in the gut and twisting the blade.

For the sake of brevity, I’m going to focus on modern foreign horror films here (my apologies to Cannibal Holocaust and Thriller: En Grym Film).

Here’s my top 5.

Calvaire – aka The Ordeal (Belgium, 2004)

Think of it as a cross between Misery and Deliverance; that should give you some idea of why it’s on this list. In the film, a lounge singer – on the way to his next gig – runs into some car trouble and is rescued by a lonely aspiring comedian. The longer he’s stuck waiting for a non-existent car repair, the more he’s subject to the fantasies of his unhinged host. Mix in an assortment of deranged locals, a sprinkle of delusion, and a splash of bestiality and he’s got a real problem on his hands.

Calvaire carries a dark sense of hopelessness that simmers to a boil over the course of the film. Every interaction between our protagonist and… anyone, really… creates a growing discomfort that’s just inescapable. There isn’t a lot of violence, but it is psychologically terrifying.

Baskin (Turkey, 2015)

 

We’ve talked about Baskin before on iHorror, so if you haven’t watched it, let this be a reminder that you might want to. In Baskin, a squad of unsuspecting cops goes through a trapdoor to Hell when they stumble upon a Black Mass in an abandoned building. Accompanied by some imagery that will definitely stick with you, their journey is a bleak descent into darkness, madness and torture. Every gruesome visual culminates in their encounter with the character of Father in a viscerally horrific sequence of depravity and trauma.

A Serbian Film (Serbia, 2010)

 

This is one you may already be familiar with, but you might not have watched it. Hell, I don’t blame you, it’s a challenging film. The plot focuses on an aging porn star who agrees to participate in an “art film” in order to make a clean break from the business, only to discover that he has been drafted into making a pedophilia and necrophilia themed snuff film. It’s subversive, divisive, and it’s been banned in Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Norway, with a temporary ban from screening in Brazil.

Among the details that add nuance to any film, the cultural affects of the sociopolitical context are probably the most palpable in the darkest films. Director Srđan Spasojević has explained that A Serbian Film is “a diary of our own molestation by the Serbian government… It’s about the monolithic power of leaders who hypnotize you to do things you don’t want to do. You have to feel the violence to know what it’s about.”

Martyrs (France, 2008)

Martyrs follows a young woman’s quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child. This leads her and a friend on a terrifying journey into a living hell. They are subject to experiments designed to inflict systematic acts of torture upon young women in the belief that their suffering will result in a transcendental insight into the world beyond this one. If you’re not big on torture in horror movies maybe avoid… well, most of this list… but in particular, avoid Martyrs. It takes physical torture to another level.

Martyrs has been associated with the New French Extremity movement (along with Haute Tension, Frontiere(s), Ils, and Inside) which demonstrates a “crossover between sexual decadence, bestial violence and troubling psychosis”. I could cover several of the New French Extremity movement films, but in the interest of a diverse list, I’ll advise you check them out if you’re in the market for something particularly dark.

Secuestrados – aka Kidnapped (Spain, 2010)

Three hooded criminals burst into a home in a Madrid gated community, holding the family hostage and forcing the father to empty his credit cards. The premise is simple, but the execution is incredible. Secuestrados is composed of 12 long shots so you don’t ever leave the action; there’s no quick cuts to distract or release the tension. There’s a bit of a slow build, but the ending packs a punch.

I’d like to add an honorable mention for I Saw the Devil and Irréversible. The former is one I have already discussed at length. As for Irréversible, I have a hard time categorizing it as a horror film. That being said, it is dark as hell and probably one of the harshest films you’ll ever see.

What top 5 foreign films would be on your list? Tell us in the comments!

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‘The Strangers’ Invaded Coachella in Instagramable PR Stunt

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Renny Harlin’s reboot of The Strangers isn’t coming out until May 17, but those murderous home invaders are making a pit stop at Coachella first.

In the latest Instagramable PR stunt, the studio behind the film decided to have the trio of masked intruders crash Coachella, a music festival that takes place for two weekends in Southern California.

The Strangers

This type of publicity began when Paramount did the same thing with their horror movie Smile in 2022. Their version had seemingly ordinary people in populated places look directly into a camera with an evil grin.

The Strangers

Harlin’s reboot is actually a trilogy with a more expansive world than that of the original.

“When setting out to remake The Strangers, we felt there was a bigger story to be told, which could be as powerful, chilling, and terrifying as the original and could really expand that world,” said producer Courtney Solomon. “Shooting this story as a trilogy allows us to create a hyperreal and terrifying character study. We’re fortunate to be joining forces with Madelaine Petsch, an amazing talent whose character is the driving force of this story.”

The Strangers

The movie follows a young couple (Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez) who “after their car breaks down in an eerie small town, are forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motive in The Strangers: Chapter 1 the chilling first entry of this upcoming horror feature film series.”

The Strangers

The Strangers: Chapter 1 opens in theaters on May 17.

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‘Alien’ Returning to Theaters For a Limited Time

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It’s been 45 years since Ridley Scott’s Alien hit theaters and in celebration of that milestone, it is headed back to the big screen for a limited time. And what better day to do that than Alien Day on April 26?

It also works as a primer for the upcoming Fede Alvarez sequel Alien: Romulus opening on August 16. A special feature in which both Alvarez and Scott discuss the original sci-fi classic will be shown as a part of your theater admission. Take a look at the preview of that conversation below.

Fede Alvarez and Ridley Scott

Back in 1979, the original trailer for Alien was kind of terrifying. Imagine sitting in front of a CRT TV (Cathode Ray Tube) at night and suddenly Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting score begins to play as a giant chicken egg starts to crack with beams of light bursting through the shell and the word “Alien” slowly forms in slanted all caps across the screen. To a twelve-year-old, it was a scary pre-bedtime experience, especially Goldsmith’s screaming electronic musical flourishes playing over scenes of the actual movie. Let the “Is it horror or sci-fi?” debate begin.

Alien became a pop culture phenomenon, complete with kid’s toys, a graphic novel, and an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. It also inspired dioramas in wax museums and even a frightening setpiece at Walt Disney World in the now-defunct Great Movie Ride attraction.

Great Movie Ride

The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and John Hurt. It tells the tale of a futuristic crew of blue-collar workers suddenly awakened out of stasis to investigate an undecipherable distress signal coming from a nearby moon. They investigate the source of the signal and discover it’s a warning and not a cry for help. Unbeknownst to the crew, they have brought a giant space creature back on board which they find out in one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.

It is said that Alvarez’s sequel will pay homage to the original film’s storytelling and set design.

Alien Romulus
Alien (1979)

The Alien theatrical re-release will take place on April 26. Pre-order your tickets and find out where Alien will screen at a theater near you.

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Home Depot’s 12-Foot Skeleton Returns with a New Friend, Plus New Life-Size Prop from Spirit Halloween

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Halloween is the greatest holiday of them all. However, every great holiday needs amazing props to go with it. Luckily for you, there are two new amazing props that have been released, which are sure to impress your neighbors and frighten any neighborhood children who are unfortunate enough to wander past your yard.

The first entry is the return of the Home Depot 12-foot skeleton prop. Home Depot has outdone themselves in the past. But this year the company is bringing bigger and better things to their Halloween prop lineup.

Home Depot Skeleton Prop

This year, the company unveiled its new and improved Skelly. But what is a giant skeleton without a loyal friend? Home Depot has also announced that they will release a five-foot tall skeleton dog prop to eternally keep Skelly company as he haunts your yard this spooky season.

This bony pooch will be five feet tall and seven feet long. The prop will also feature a posable mouth and LCD eyes with eight variable settings. Lance Allen, Home Depot’s merchant of decorative Holliday gear, had the following to say about this year’s lineup.

“This year we increased our realism within the animatronics category, created some impressive, licensed characters and even brought back some fan favorites. Overall, we are most proud of the quality and value we are able to bring to our customers with these pieces so they can continue to grow their collections.”

Home Depot Prop

But what if giant skeletons just aren’t your thing? Well, Spirit Halloween has you covered with their giant life size Terror Dog replica. This massive prop has been ripped out of your nightmares to appear frighteningly on your lawn.

This prop weighs in at almost fifty pounds and features glowing red eyes that are sure to keep your yard safe from any toilet paper throwing hooligans. This iconic Ghostbusters nightmare is a must have for any fan of 80s horror. Or, anyone who loves all things spooky.

Terror Dog Prop
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