Horror for the Hesitant: 8 Films Even Non-Fans Can Enjoy

For anyone who wants to watch a horror film that isn’t really traditional jump scare horror, here are a few recommendations from me to you.

Plenty more out there in the horror sub genres too, this is just a few selections, as I believe if someone says that don’t like horror films, they just haven’t found the right sub genre.

Horror doesn’t just = Scary jump scares.

Dread can work in a number of ways.

The Others

Nicole Kidman in a big old mansion with two kids who can’t touch sunlight, where uou just watch them try to live while weird stuff happens around them.

Yes, I saw the twist ending coming, you may not – or you may.

Who knows.

The Others Trailer

Get Out

Daniel Kaluuya meets girlfriend’s family, and it all seems normal, but slowly, your realize everything is wrong.

Jordan Peele sneaks in commentary about race, which should make you think a bit, too.

Get out Trailer

Rosemary’s Baby

Mia Farrow is pregnant, and the neighbors are weird, and it’s a film where nothing flashy happens – just paranoia, and where you feel her freak-out.

Slow burn.
Psychological.
Creepy.

Rosemary’s Baby Trailer

The Cabin in the Woods

College kids in a cabin where verything seems normal – then it’s not.

Tropes get flipped, and you laugh and jump.

Familiar place, but somehow still surprising.

The Cabin in the Woods Trailer

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Two sisters, with one being a tad unhinged, and the tension is insane.

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford hated each other in real life, and you feel that hate in every scene.
No monsters needed – just people.

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Trailer

Let the Right One In

Bullied kid meets mysterious girl, and she’s a vampire – quiet story, but creepy vibes.

Subtle horror beats gore any day.

Let the Right One In Trailer

You’re Next

A family reunion happens but masked intruders show up – funny in a dark way, and the characters aren’t idiots either.

Fairly clever horror.

You’re Next Trailer

It Follows

Girl sleeps with someone, and something starts following her.

Simple, and uncomplicated.

Unknown = scary.

It Follows Trailer

Simon Leasher

A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I have watched many films from around the world in many different genres, yet I still normally always come back to trashy slasher horror films when in doubt. More

And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.