Guardian writers pick scariest non-horror films for Halloween
Critics highlight films outside the horror genre that deliver genuine terror, from psychological thrillers to character studies.
At a glance
- The Guardian feature highlights non-horror films that deliver genuine scares
- Burning, directed by Lee Chang-dong, uses psychological tension and character study to create dread
- The film explores themes of male frustration and desperation through its protagonist
- The selection includes How to Have Sex and The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Guardian has compiled a selection of films from outside the horror genre that critics say are genuinely frightening. The feature includes Lee Chang-dong's Burning, a psychological thriller about a young woman's disappearance and the men around her, alongside other titles such as How to Have Sex and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Burning is described as a film that uses the language of horror cinema to create creeping anxiety and existential dread, drawing on influences from films like Taxi Driver and Michael Haneke's Caché. The selection explores how terror can emerge from character study and psychological tension rather than conventional horror elements.
Why it matters
The feature demonstrates how filmmakers can generate terror through psychological storytelling and character development rather than traditional horror conventions, offering audiences alternative ways to experience fear.
Original reporting
- The Guardian — Culture‘I left shellshocked’: writers on their scariest non-horror movies
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