This is no escape room.
There are worse things in this world than dying. Today I’m investigating a series of horror movies and television episodes where death would have been preferable. So, buckle in, because you and I are taking a drive into existential horror territory. These spooky films plan on trapping you inside and have no intention of ever letting you go. Literally.
From a never-ending side road to Christmas Eve dinner, to a motel situated firmly on the upper crust of hell, these five horror outings are going to make you think twice before sipping from the fountain of youth. Some things are just not meant to last forever.
Here are five truly existential horror moments that lock you in and won’t let you leave.
This wholly unique direct-to-DVD 2003 moment is living rent-free in many of our brains, decades after renting it with our dads at Blockbuster. Lin Shaye and Ray Wise costar as a mature couple who take the scenic route off of the highway on Christmas Eve. They regret this choice pretty quick. You might see the ending for this one in your rearview mirror long before the film is up, but you’ll still be thinking about it for days afterward. Directed by duo Jean-Baptiste Andre and Fabrice Canepa, the French existentialism is practically dripping off of this one. Get into it.
Emily Bennett and Justin Cook’s Alone With You is a chilling Fantastic Fest standout that will have you taking a walk outside the moment it’s through with you. Without giving too much away, this existential horror crisis from Dark Star is going to trigger your quarantine cabin fever in totally new and refreshing ways. Barbara Crampon costars in this tense and upsetting horror film about a young woman who just can’t seem to unlock her apartment door. Don’t watch this one alone. And keep a safe distance from your cat. Alone With You hit demand earlier this week, so it’s the perfect time to support this indie spook show.
My favorite pandemic TV watch has got be The Haunting of Bly Manor. This gorgeous, grotesque and extremely tragic supernatural series just reeks of early Hammer glamour. The black and white Romance of Certain Old Clothes is a stand-out episode that sits near the end of the season. And it packs one hell of an emotional punch. Based on the story of the same name by ghost guy Henry James, Mike Flanagan’s series shines its brightest with this story. The episode concerns the terrible origins of series antagonist Viola (played impeccably by Kate Siegel). I won’t say too much, but poor Viola finds herself trapped for eternity at Bly Manor under some very unfortunate circumstances.
The 1997 Canadian cult classic Cube breaks the rules of this list just a bit. While the characters in the film are in fact stuck (in a series of never-ending rooms armed with violent traps!), they are able to escape via grisly and creative deaths. Still, this debut feature from director Vincenzo Natali is a prime example of No Exit horror at its finest. Made on a shoe-string budget, this excellent sci-fi horror moment went on to spawn two sequels and a recent Japanese remake. The opening kill is worth the price of admission alone and gives the title a whole new meaning.
Another 2003 entry for your nerves, Identity is a cult classic neo-noir from director James Mangold. This under-appreciated thriller stars John Cusack, Ray Liotta and Amanda Peet. It’s a surprisingly tense and original murder mystery based on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. The film concerns a group of strangers taking refuge at a moody little motel during a torrential rainstorm, and things just get worse from there. While a ton of other titles attempt similar setups, there’s just something about Identity that stands out. The performances are top-notch and the violence is a little grittier than you may expect from a thriller of this elk. It’s definitely worth adding to your watch list.
Tags: Alone With You Cube Dead End
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