Modern cinema loves to explore what might happen in a world of sinners, where hell is painted as a place overflowing with cruelty, blood, and suffering. This collection brings together horror films and thrillers set in this nightmarish realm. Believe us — you wouldn’t want to end up there.
Content
- V/H/S/99
- The House That Jack Built
- Baskin
- As Above, So Below
- The Devil’s Carnival
- Drag Me to Hell
- Constantine
V/H/S/99
IMDb: 5.2/10
2022, Horror
USA, Not rated
Director: Flying Lotus, Maggie Levin, Tyler MacIntyre
Top cast: Jesse LaTourette, Keanush Tafresh, iDashiell Derrickson
V/H/S is a horror franchise, with V/H/S/99 as its fifth installment. True to its title, the story unfolds in 1999, offering viewers five horror-themed shorts: a punk band on a cursed stage, a freshman tangled with a mysterious student society, and a children’s TV show that grants wishes, among others. Each story reflects the unique struggles of life at the close of the 20th century. The tales are absurd and darkly humorous, and fans of the franchise are already calling this fifth entry the best one yet.
The House That Jack Built
IMDb: 6.8/10
2018, Crime, Drama, Horror
Denmark, France, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, R
Director: Lars von Trier
Top cast: Matt Dillon, Bruno Ganz, Uma Thurman
The House That Jack Built is a film whose title doesn’t hint at its dark plot — reading the description first is highly recommended. This psychological thriller follows a ruthless serial killer named Jack, who, unlike most killers, sees his horrific acts as works of art. Over 12 years, he held the entire state of Washington in fear. Told from Jack’s perspective, he narrates his experiences, detailing the stories of five victims and his actions toward them. Not everyone can endure Lars von Trier’s thriller. At its premiere at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, nearly 100 people walked out, unable to endure the graphic scenes of violence and dismemberment.
Baskin
IMDb: 5.8/10
2015, Horror, Thriller
Turkey, Not Rated
Director: Can Evrenol
Top cast: Mehmet Cerrahoglu, Görkem Kasal, Ergun Kuyucu
Baskin is a Turkish horror film shot over 28 intense nights, with the filmmakers carefully crafting it to feel as realistic as possible. It starts out ordinarily enough — we meet five tough policemen. During a break, they eat at a roadside diner, chatting about football and women. Their casual conversation is cut short by an urgent call, sending them to an abandoned house in the woods. None of them find this strange; they’re used to similar assignments. But this time is different. The crumbling, empty house turns out to be a gateway to hell, teeming with horrifying creatures. Here, each officer is awaited, each facing brutal torture and forced to confront the sins of their past.
As Above, So Below
IMDb: 6.3/10
2014, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
USA, France, R
Director: John Erick Dowdle
Top cast: Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge
Dreaming of a trip to Paris? Probably not this one. In the Paris from this film, the boutiques, the lights of the Eiffel Tower, and the scents of fine cuisine are just a backdrop to the real city, hidden deep underground. This is where the true rulers of the world reside. As Above, So Below was filmed in the actual catacombs of Paris. Before writing the script, John Erick Dowdle spent two weeks exploring them with an expert. The story follows the daughter of an archaeologist, determined to find the philosopher's stone. Medieval alchemists believed this stone could turn any metal into gold and even grant immortality. Scarlett will stop at nothing to obtain it. Her research leads her to the supposed location — the catacombs beneath Paris. She quickly assembles a fearless team eager to explore the narrow passages of the world’s largest crypt. But their journey will be anything but pleasant.
The Devil’s Carnival
IMDb: 5.9/10
2012, Horror, Musical
USA, Not rated
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Top cast: Sean Patrick Flanery, Briana Evigan, Jessica Lowndes
Imagine being forced to confront your own flaws face to face. How would you react? Now, picture this happening in Hell, at a carnival run by the Devil himself. Three characters in The Devil’s Carnival are given this twisted honor: Miss Merrywood, a kleptomaniac; Tamara, a naive, heartbroken teenager; and John, an obsessed father. Each receives an invitation to a new amusement park, a place where all sinners are drawn. Now, the carnival guests must endure relentless reenactments of their own misdeeds.
Drag Me to Hell
IMDb: 6.6/10
2009, Horror
USA, India, PG-13
Director: Sam Raimi
Top cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Ruth Livier
In Drag Me to Hell, Christine is an ordinary loan officer at a Los Angeles bank. She has a charming boyfriend, Professor Clay Dalton, who is devoted to her. Life seems to be going well for the couple. But one day, a troublesome gypsy woman, Mrs. Ganush, shows up at Christine's bank, pleading for an extension on her mortgage. Christine wants to help but ultimately denies the request to secure an upcoming promotion. Unfortunately, Mrs. Ganush is no ordinary woman — she’s a witch, and she curses Christine, turning her career ambitions into a living nightmare. If Christine doesn’t find a way to break the curse, she’ll be dragged straight to hell in three days.
Constantine
IMDb: 7.0/10
2005, Action, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
USA, Germany, R
Director: Francis Lawrence
Top cast: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Djimon Hounsou
Constantine, starring Keanu Reeves, has become a cult classic — even those who usually avoid horror films have watched it. And it’s no surprise why: the story follows John Constantine, a man who has not only ventured into Hell but also managed to return. Born with a unique gift, John can see angels and demons disguised as humans walking among us. These visions are a burden he can’t escape, so he tries to end his life. The attempt fails, and he’s brought back to the world of the living, but now with an added curse — the mark of a suicide. This condemns him to patrol the border between Heaven and Hell, while battling evil forces on Earth.
Click to copy 