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About Apostle
Directed and edited by Gareth Evans, Apostle is a gothic folk horror starring Dan Stevens, Lucy Boynton, Mark Lewis Jones, Bill Milner, Kristine Froseth, Paul Higgins and Michael Sheen. It was released in the year 2018.
Apostle is a period specific folk horror film. The plot focuses on Thomas who sneaks his way onto a remote island to try and rescue his sister which he believes has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom by a cult. Upon making his way to the island, he masquerades as one of the new cult members and begins to plan to rescue his sister and get off the island. However, he makes a disturbing discovery that the cult is holding a witch captive and in this witch is linked to the island in ways you wouldn't believe.
After a recent re-watch, I wanted to put together a list of movies like Apostle which are harrowing, haunting and have that creepy vibe. Here's that list.
1922 (2017)
Written and directed by Zak Hilditch, 1922 is a horror movie based on a Stephen King story. It stars Thomas Jane, Neal McDonough, and Molly Parker. It was released in the year 2017. 1922 is about a farmer who is so obsessed with the upkeep of his farm that when his wife tries to sell the farm he kills her and buries her with the help of his son. Unfortunately, for him, his wife’s spirit haunts him until the day he dies.
There are some truly grim moments in 1922. One of which is certainly when Thomas Jane's character murders his wife with the help of their son. Then there's the ghost of his wife and everyone who has died thanks to his selfishness that comes back to haunt him. Not to mention, the house (on the farm) itself, which comes alive - in true Stephen King creepy glory.
The Offering (2023)
Directed by Oliver Park, The Offering is a horror-thriller movie starring Nick Blood, Emm Wiseman, Allan Corduner, Paul Kaye, Daniel Ben Zenou and Jodie Jacobs. It was released in the year 2023.
The Offering is a chilling deep dive into Jewish folklore, blending ancient mythology with family tragedy. The story centers on Art, a man desperate to mend his relationship with his father, Saul, who runs a Jewish funeral home, while hiding his own financial woes. But when Art mishandles an ancient amulet during a body preparation, he unknowingly unleashes Abyzou, a demonic entity infamous for preying on children and the unborn.
What follows is a relentless descent into terror, as Abyzou tightens its grip on Art’s family, particularly his pregnant wife, Claire. As father and son struggle to repair their bond, they face the ultimate test against an unyielding evil, leading to a devastating and heart-wrenching conclusion.
The Ritual (2017)
Directed by David Bruckner, The Ritual is a psychological folk horror movie starring Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier and Sam Troughton. It was released in the year 2017.
The Ritual is about four UK friends who head out to the Swedish wilderness to bond after one of their mates died in a robbery. As they get further towards their destination one of them gets injured and so they decide to head back to civilisation. However, on the way they start getting picked off one-by-one by some ancient evil which is worshipped by a cult.
Don’t Listen (2020)
Directed by Ángel Gómez Hernández, Don’t Listen is a Spanish supernatural horror movie starring Rodolfo Sancho, Ana Fernández, Ramón Barea, Belén Fabra, Lucas Blas and Nerea Barros. It was released in the year 2020.
Don’t Listen is a nerve-shredding Spanish horror that turns grief into a gateway for the supernatural. The story follows Daniel and Sara, who move into a new home with their young son, Eric, only to find their lives unraveling when Eric begins hearing sinister voices.
Dismissed as his imagination, the haunting takes a dark turn when Eric dies under chillingly mysterious circumstances. Wracked with guilt and terror, Daniel begins hearing the same voices, driving him to seek the help of a parapsychologist, and his daughter. Together, they uncover the house's sinister secrets and face a vengeful spirit tied to a horrifying past, setting the stage for a haunting descent into despair and tragedy.
The Influence (2019)
Directed by Denis Rovira van Boekholt, The Influence is a Spanish horror movie starring Manuela Vellés, Alain Hernández, Maggie Civantos and Claudia Placer. It was released on the year 2019.
The Influence dives into the terrifying grip of family secrets and occult pasts. The story follows Alicia, a nurse who returns to her childhood home with her husband and daughter to care for her comatose mother, Victoria. But as they settle in, they quickly realize that the house is plagued by dark forces tied to Victoria’s disturbing history with the occult. As her young daughter, Nora, grows increasingly connected to the sinister energy in the home, Alicia must confront the horrifying legacy that threatens to consume her family.
With its eerie atmosphere and slow-burning tension, The Influence is a haunting tale of generational terror, though its emotional impact is somewhat undercut by the lack of depth in the relationship between grandmother and granddaughter.
Eli (2019)
Directed by Ciaran Foy, Eli is a supernatural horror movie starring Kelly Reilly, Sadine Sink, Lili Taylor, Max Martini and Charlie Shotwell. It was released in the year 2019.
Eli follows a boy suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease who’s taken to a private facility by his parents who are promised by the Doctor in charge there’s a cure. With each growing procedure, Eli becomes aware of ghosts and demonic entities haunting this creepy medical facility.
When Eli discovers paperwork proving all previous patients of this mysterious procedure died horribly he begins to distrust everyone. Even his parents. But the final reveal absolutely flips the script on its head culminating in a demonic stigmata with inverted nuns, fire and blood.
Eli is a truly underrated entry into the demonic possession sub-genre of horror. But who’s possessed and why? You’ll have to watch and find out.
Veronica (2017)
Directed by Paco Plaza, Veronica is a Spanish supernatural horror movie starring Sandra Escacena, Claudia Placer, Bruna González, Iván Chavero and Ana Torrent. It was released in the year 2017.
Veronica is set in Madrid in 1991 and follows 15 year old Verónica, who tries to contact her deceased father during a séance gone horribly wrong. Using a Ouija board with her friends during a solar eclipse, Verónica unwittingly invites a dark entity into her life. As the days go on, she’s plagued by terrifying supernatural events, all while trying to protect her younger siblings from the looming danger. Seeking answers, she turns to “Sister Death,” a blind nun who warns her of the entity’s malevolent grip it has on her life.
No One Gets Out Alive (2021)
Directed by Santiago Menghini, No One Gets Out Alive is a British horror thriller set in America which stars Cristina Rodlo and Marc Menchaca. It was released in the year 2021.
No One Gets Out Alive follows an immigrant named Ambar who moves into a run-down boarding house in search of a better life. As she settles in, she discovers eerie secrets within the building, including a malevolent entity that preys on the residents. The movie combines suspense and supernatural elements as Ambar fights to escape the building's sinister clutches and survive the nightmarish ordeal. A nightmare which is much older than the house itself!
There are some incredibly f***ed up moments in No One Gets Out Alive that'll keep you keep you guessing what happens next. The first has got to be when Ambar encounters the old god entity which feeds on those people who live in the boarding house who have the worst traits. Unfortunately, most people in the boarding house have some pretty horrible traits. In this house - anyone is fair game!
Then there's the ongoing "boarding house discoveries" that Ambar makes as she goes exploring throughout the film. She finds that people have disappeared and, as a result, most of the residents are keeping to themselves.
Finally, there's the nightmarish climax at the end where Ambar confronted with this dream of her mother as she's being sacrificed to the Aztec goddess, Ītzpāpālōtl, who is this giant moth-like creature that is holding Ambar's head in its hands. In the dream, Ambar strangles her mother and this causes Ītzpāpālōtl to retreat into the box from when it came.
It Lives Inside (2023)
Directed and written by Bishal Dutta, It Lives Inside is a supernatural horror movie starring Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan, Vik Sahay, Gage Marsh, Beatrice Kitsos and Betty Gabriel. It was released in the year 2023.
It Lives Inside is a chilling exploration of cultural identity wrapped in supernatural terror. The story follows Sam, a first-generation Indian-American teen who rejects her heritage to fit into Western society. When her estranged friend Tamira vanishes after releasing a demonic entity known as a Pishach, Sam must confront the horrors of this vengeful spirit - one that feeds on negative energy and reflects the dangers of denying cultural roots. As the entity wreaks havoc, Sam’s bond with her mother becomes pivotal in fighting the evil. The film crescendos with Sam sacrificing herself to become the demon’s vessel, leaving a haunting ending that underscores the ever-present threat of the Pishach and the inescapable pull of heritage.
Sister Death (2023)
Directed by Paco Plaza, Sister Death is a Spanish supernatural horror movie starring Aria Bedmar, Maru Valdivielso, Luisa Merelas, Almudena Amor, Chelo Vivares, Sara Roch, Olimpia Roch, Adriana Camarena, Martina Delgado and Claudia Fernandez Arroyo. It was released in the year 2023.
Sister Death dives into the haunting origins of the "Verónica" whilst expanding on it via a chilling, slow-burn tale set in post-war Spain. The story follows Narcisa, a young novice with supernatural abilities, who begins teaching at a convent-turned-girls’-school. But from the moment she arrives, things feel off. Nightmares plague her sleep, whispers of a cursed blackboard swirl among the students, and the shadow of a malevolent entity looms around them. The deeper Narcisa digs into the convent's past, the more she uncovers a tragedy where a nun, Sister Socorro, suffered unspeakable horrors and whose vengeful spirit now haunts the institution.
Narcisa ultimately helps Socorro unleash her wrath on those who wronged her, offering the tormented spirit a chance to reunite with her child in the afterlife. This lays down the groundwork for Narcisa to become the enigmatic “Sister Death” in the first movie, Veronica.
Run Rabbit Run (2023)
Directed by Daina Reid, Run Rabbit Run is an Australian psychological horror starring Sarah Snook, Lily LaTorre, Damon Herriman and Greta Scacchi. It was released in the year 2023.
Run Rabbit Run delivers a slow-burning psychological horror that digs deep into the scars of familial trauma. It follows Sarah, a fertility doctor and single mother, whose seemingly normal life spirals out of control when her young daughter Mia starts claiming she’s the reincarnation of Sarah’s long-dead sister, Alice.
This takes an eerie turn when Sarah’s estranged, dementia-stricken mother mistakes Mia for Alice as well. This prompts Sarah to confront secrets from her family’s fractured past Mia’s behavior begins to unravel, becoming more disturbing with each passing day. Run Rabbit Run is an atmospheric, haunting, introspective journey of Sarah's as her own reality begins to crumble and come crashing down.
Malevolent (2018)
Directed by Olaf de Fleur Johannesson, Malevolent is a horror movie based on the novel Hush by Eva Konstantopoulos who co-wrote the screenplay alongside Ben Ketai. It stars Florence Pugh, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Scott Chambers, Georgina Bevan, James Cosmo and Celia Imrie. It was released in the year 2018.
Malevolent follows Angela, a con artist who, with her brother Jackson, scams people by pretending to investigate hauntings. They’re hired to look into a creepy mansion, but things take a darker turn when they realize the haunting is real. As Angela starts to experience paranormal events herself, she has to deal with her own past and confront new, frightening abilities. Pugh delivers a strong performance, and while the story might feel familiar, it still keeps you engaged with plenty of suspense and creepy moments. If you’re into ghost stories with a twist, Malevolent is worth checking out.
His House (2020)
Written and directed by Remi Weekes, His House is a horror thriller movie starring Wunmi Mosaku, Sope Dirisu and Matt Smith. It was released in the year 2020.
His House is a gut-wrenching blend of horror and heartbreak that follows Bol and Rial, a refugee couple from South Sudan, as they settle into a crumbling house in England after fleeing unimaginable trauma. But their new home is far from safe—it’s infested with a sinister force tied to their past, a vengeful spirit known as an “Apeth.” With the arrival and terror that the apeth puts them the through, Bol and Rial are forced to confront the guilt, grief, and painful secrets they carry.
I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In The House (2016)
Written and directed by Osgood Perkins, I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In The House is a gothic supernatural horror movie starring Ruth Wilson, Bob Balaban, Lucy Boynton and Paula Prentiss. It was released in the year 2016.
I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House follows Lily, a young live-in nurse who’s hired to care for Iris Blum, an elderly horror author suffering from dementia. As Lily settles she begins to suspect that the house is haunted by Polly, the protagonist in one of Iris’s novels. As the movie progresses, Iris and Polly seem to have experienced similar experiences which creeps out Lily. Eventually, the stillness and oppressive atmosphere leads to a chilling revelation about Lily’s own fate. A fate which will fill you with dread.
The Binding (2020)
Directed by Domenico Emanuele de Feudis, The Binding is an Italian folk horror movie starring Riccardo Scamarcio, Michael C. Pizzuto and Federica Rosellini. It was released in the year 2020.
The Binding follows Emma, who travels to southern Italy with her fiancé and young daughter to visit his mother. What starts as a family visit quickly spirals into terror as a malevolent curse takes hold of Emma’s daughter. Strange and sinister events reveal that a powerful, ancient entity has “bound” itself to the girl, forcing Emma to confront the supernatural horror head-on.
The Devil All The Time (2020)
Directed by Antonio Campos, The Devil All The Time is a psychological crime thriller movie starring Tom Holland, Bill Skarsgård, Riley Keough, Jason Clarke, Sebastian Stan, Haley Bennett, Eliza Scanlen, Mia Wasikowska and Robert Pattinson. It was released in the year 2020.
The Devil All the Time drags you into the dark heart of rural Ohio and West Virginia, spanning the end of World War II to the 1960s. It follows Arvin Russell, a young man haunted by his family’s violent past. His father, Willard, a war veteran scarred by trauma, passes down a brutal sense of justice that Arvin carries with him as he faces a world riddled with corruption and sin. From a sinister preacher to a twisted couple of serial killers and a shady sheriff, Arvin finds himself locked in a battle against the wicked as the movie explores issues religion, morality and inherited darkness.
The Silence (2019)
Directed by John R. Leonetti, The Silence is based on a horror novel of the same name by Tim Lebbon. It stars Kiernan Shipka, Stanley Tucci, Miranda Otto and John Corbett. It was released in the year 2019.
The Silence plunges viewers into a chilling post-apocalyptic world where ancient, bat-like creatures called Vesps are accidentally unleashed from a hidden cave system. With their hyper-acute sense of hearing turning the world into a hunting ground. The story follow deaf teenager, Ally Andrews, whose ability to communicate through sign language becomes the way she and her family can communicate without putting them in mortal danger. However, in a world where one wrong move could summon a swarm of death from the skies, the stakes are incredibly high.
The film takes things up a notch when a deranged cult sees Ally as their messiah and, all of a sudden, Ally faces danger on two fronts. Thematically, The Silence is a fantastic exploration of human desperation and fanaticism. While it might sound similar to movies like "A Quiet Place", this movie is more grittier and a lot more savage. Asking the question: what’s more dangerous — the monsters you can’t see or the ones you can?
Have you seen any of these movies before?
Do you think any of these movies are like Apostle?
Let us know in the comments.
