First launched in 2017, Neon is a fairly new indie production company and distributor that has quickly proved itself to be a major rival to A24. While Neon is behind Oscar darlings like Parasite and Anatomy of a Fall, the company has also shown that they are a reliable source for horror as well. If you need to catch up, here are the best Neon horror movies.
Its latest horror offering, Cuckoo, is a supernatural film starring Hunter Schafer as a teenager who becomes part of a terrifying conspiracy of sorts after moving to the Swiss Alps with her family. After watching this new exploration into terror, film buffs should treat themselves to some of the best horror titles Neon has to offer, including films showcasing a town gone mad, mind-invading assassins, and one scary Nic Cage performance.
The Lodge
One of Neon’s first big horror releases, The Lodge has enough twists and turns to make a viewer’s head spin around like Regan in The Exorcist. From its first five minutes, The Lodge delivers gut punch after gut punch, until the true secrets of the narrative are unveiled.
Written and directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, The Lodge follows two children who go to live with their father after tragically losing their mother. After their dad leaves the brother and sister duo in the care of their new stepmom Grace (Riley Keough), a woman who once escaped a cult, things take a turn for the worse. The Lodge is an eerie horror film that doesn’t rely on blood or guts and is a perfect indication of the kind of slow-burn horror that Neon stands behind.
The Lodge is available to stream on Hulu with a premium subscription
Possessor
Brandon Cronenberg, the son of body horror pioneer David Cronenberg, helmed this hyper-violent, psychedelic nightmare. Possessor stars Andrea Risebourgough as Tasya Vos, a killer for hire who takes out her targets by literally invading their brains. The unexpected occurs when Tasya starts to have trouble controlling her next target, played by Christopher Abbot.
Possessor is a nightmarish foray into madness, providing eye-popping visuals and some gnarly gore effects. The entwinement of the two lead characters’ faces is a sequence that will horrify some viewers and delight others. The film also showcases the risks Neon is willing to take as a distributor.
Possessor is available to stream on Tubi.
Assassination Nation
Written and directed by Sam Levinson, Assassination Nation is a witty and brutal satire of the digital age. Assassination Nation follows the inhabitants of a fictional town, cleverly named Salem, after all of their online data is leaked.
This stylish film presents shocking scenes of carnage alongside campy dialogue that is bound to help push this movie into cult status in the years to come and onto our list of the best Neon horror movies.
Assassination Nation is available to stream on Tubi.
Bad Hair
Premiering on Hulu in 2020, Bad Hair is a frightening and hilarious horror comedy about an aspiring music journalist who purchases a weave in the hopes that it will improve her chances at getting on television. However, things don’t go as planned for the film’s heroine when the weave turns out to be possessed.
Bad Hair is a lot of fun to watch, but it also has a lot to say about self-esteem and race relations in America. The film also features a very memorable ensemble cast including Elle Lorraine, Vanessa Williams, Kelly Rowland, James Van Deer Beek, Lena Waithe, and Usher.
Bad Hair is available to stream on Hulu.
Infinity Pool
Another film by Brandon Cronenberg, Infinity Pool was also included on my list of best films of 2023 for its audacious exploration of wealthy people mad with power. Infinity Pool stars Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth as two people who meet on vacation at a fictional island. Soon, several vacationers learn that if they commit a crime, a clone can be held accountable for their actions.
Infinity Pool is a striking film full of shocking imagery that is as macabre as it is beautiful. The performances are captivating and the gritty cinematography also adds another layer to this unforgettable film experience. One scene featuring a drug-fueled swingers’ party is jaw-droppingly obscene and deliciously entertaining, which is why it makes our list of the best Neon horror movies.
Infinity Pool is available to stream on Hulu.
Revenge
The feature film debut of Coralie Fargeat, whose second film The Substance garnered quite the buzz at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Revenge is a clever modern take on movies like I Spit on Your Grave or Last House on the Left. Revenge follows Jen (Matilda Lutz), who is attacked and left for dead by the man she is having an affair with, along with several of his friends. However, the men were not prepared for Jen to survive and come after them with a rifle.
Revenge is a rape-revenge film with a feminist lens, equipped with a great soundtrack and some impressive visuals. The violence in this film is no-holds-barred, including eye-gouging and a tree impalement.
Revenge is available to stream on Shudder and AMC+.
Longlegs
Just released this past July, Longlegs is a truly terrifying experience. The film stars the excellent Maika Monroe as Special Agent Lee Harker, who is hunting a possibly supernatural serial killer named Longlegs.
The film contains a sound design played in reverse, creating this undeniable and palpable feeling of dread throughout. Nicolas Cage delivers one of the most terrifying performances in recent memory, and Alicia Witt also knocks her mysterious role out of the park.
Longlegs is currently playing in theaters.
