Psychological Horror is a subgenre that disturbs by tapping into mental and emotional vulnerabilities, exposing repression, paranoia, and self-doubt rather than relying on gore or monsters. It uses atmosphere, suspense, and unreliable perspectives to unsettle, think Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) with Norman Bates’ fractured psyche, Jennifer Kent’s grief-fueled The Babadook (2014), and modern indies like Hereditary (2018) or The Invitation (2015), which probe familial trauma and creeping paranoia. These films haunt long, proving that true terror often comes from within.
The Guest Room aka La Stanza, follows a woman on the verge of suicide who opens the door to a mysterious man. Who he is will shock you.
Cast with Kate Bosworth & Emile Hirsch, The Immaculate Room puts two people in a white room for 50 days with a $5 million prize.
Speak No Evil is a psychological horror movie by filmmaking brothers Christian & Mads Tafdrup. You can watch Speak No Evil on Shudder.
Duncan Birmingham’s drectial debut for the feature film Who Invited Them follows Adam & Margo. After a party, 2 guests outstay their welcome
Written by Robert Alan Dilts, What Josiah Saw 2021 tells the story of three siblings trying to escape their demons. (Streaming on Shudder)
In Hypochondriac, Will struggles with telling his boyfriend about his past. But when his past reaches out first, traumas resurface.
