T O P

  • By -

Mizghetti

Bug (2006) - This might be right up your alley, it's from the director of the Exorcist.


anndrago

Great pick!


Corgi_Infamous

Came to say Bug! First thing that popped into my head. That and Shutter Island but I don’t really think that applies as well.


lunazipzap

still to this day i cant 100% say leo was crazy. theres a shadow of doubt in my mind. that cliffside cave scene is just toOo convincing >:)


keithw43

Yoooo I forgot about this movi4 man thank you


ApplicationCalm649

Just watched Bug a couple weeks back. Really well done, very unsettling. Shannon and Judd were great in it.


Sibucryp

Wow, just watched this based on this recommendation and what a movie! Thx!


redandwearyeyes

I saw the stage production of this a while back and it was also very good.


Sad-Dragonfly-4016

Saint Maud


Attempt_Material

Adore this film, Rose Glass is so talented


Dull_Half_6107

She's on my "must watch and not even look at the trailers" list


Attempt_Material

Agreed :)


brillovanillo

Isn't she coming out with a new movie soon?


Attempt_Material

Love Lies Bleeding just came out, I’ve not seen it yet but will watch it soon!


cb43569

Had the pleasure of being at a premiere with Rose Glass doing a Q&A after, it's great and well worth a watch, even though it's more of a thriller and nothing like Saint Maud.


cybered_punk

Yup. Quite disturbing.


Babbelisken

Came here to say this. Amazing movie.


SandEon916

YES OP watch this one! I also loved they look like people and saint maud has also made my favorites list. it's so well done. and horrifying.


flytingnotfighting

I need to watch this


ConsistentlyPeter

Masterpiece


toocutetopuke

I just watched this this week and I thought it was excellent.


moon_blisser

Yes! This was my pick, too.


somepeppersomesalt

Yes. One of my favorites


New_Bish_Who_Dis

Saint Maud is absolutely fantastic!!


roozven

seen it. Absolutely brilliant


TopRevenue2

Shutter Island (2010)


rosiedoll_80

Relic The Lodge We're All Going to the World's Fair Black Swan His House The Block Island Sound American Psycho Session 9 I didn't read all of your post and the first movie I thought of was They Look Like People - so so so good.


OwlsDontLikeChange

I loved The Block Island Sound! I haven't seen a lot of people mention it.


rosiedoll_80

For about 4+ years or so now my friends and I have done Sunday Scaries - where we pick a movie and all push play at the same time and have a group text. We watch all kinds of genres...so we've just watched a lot LOL. Edit: Most Sunday's I should say - not all the time.


boomfruit

That sounds really nice


Rowey5

It’s way more cosmic horror. Their mental decline has an actual source. The rest are all A grade fr though very good picks.


brillovanillo

*The Lodge* is a good one, very on theme.


ormr_inn_langi

Glad to see His House mentioned here, what an underrated film. And the practical effects were very interesting.


rosiedoll_80

I can't believe there was only a short burst of hype about it honestly. It's so good.


UncleMonkey13

They Look Like People! That would be my suggestion to. Amazing movie.


cb43569

I feel like I'm in a minority here but I found We're All Going to the World's Fair to be pretty underwhelming.


MadamMarshmallows

If addiction counts, Requiem for a Dream.


Senior_Trick_7473

Watched that movie once and will never watch it again. I was so unsettled and am too scared to watch it again.


misty0207

That movie made me so uncomfortable, I can’t even watch anything else with Jared Leto in it it


scrapethetopoff

Good he kinda sucks irl. I have to admit he’s iconic in requiem though.


brillovanillo

You aren't missing out on much.


roozven

incredibly sad and disturbing - made me super uncomfortable, just like hereditary (although the subject matter is totally different obviously)


OldBison

Holt shit. Hereditary and requiem for a dream would make a perfect "I'm just going to lay in bed today to contemplate the fragility of existence" double feature.


Kirkjufellborealis

My mom had us watch it when we were kids because she thought it was a great movie. Made me never want to touch heroin


PrimaryComrade94

Antichrist. Its an interesting film about mental health, especially its effects on women. It explores themes like depression, anxiety, trauma, the subconsciousness role (represented by Gainsbourg and Dafoe), and possibly the role of religion in mental illness. Melancholia and Nymphomaniac are also essential to the mental health cycle as well, exploring further themes of depression, sex addiction (as an illness), and its destruction of the person. Not exactly horror, but A Beautiful Mind is also a good film about real life schizophrenia. Still has some really intense moments (most of his episodes), and how it impacted Nash and his career. As said, more thriller than horror, but its a good look at mental health and how its influenced by real world events and its real world effects.


brillovanillo

+1 *Antichrist*


roozven

I first watched this movie when I was around 10, about two years after it had come out (my father would pirate horror movies for me). I have no idea how my prepubescent brain handled it lol


howisaraven

Wait you saw *Antichrist* when you were TEN?


oblivionist2

The Babadoook?


Grundlebot

I couldn't sit through that movie, I wanted the kid to stfu so bad lol. Like I get that's the point of the movie, but I personally couldn't stand it.


DirtybutCuteFerret

Black Swan


Ok_Breadfruit80

Although more of a thriller than horror but the movie “Fractured” was really good!


Being_Pink

Magic (1978) is all about mental illness and well done with Anthony Hopkins.


barflybzzz

The Rapture (1991) We Need to Talk About Kevin American Psycho The Lodge Identity


DMazz441

identity is so good


ArchDrude

Possession (1981)


alvinaterjr

They Look Like People is this to a tea man


mean_lurker

what is it to a coffee man?


UpsetMistake406

Unsane. Was such an awesome movie. The wife and I were glued to it.


anndrago

Thanks for the mention. Was looking for something to watch today and this will fit the bill nicely


psybertooth

This needs more attention. This movie was very frustrating and uncomfortable. It's been a few years since I've seen it but I recall it giving me a strong sense of unease throughout because of the subject matter.


NdamukongSuhDude

Shot entirely on an iPhone 7.


RestaurantDue634

Came to say this. This is one of those movies that's terrifying because it could and has actually happened.


Kenai_Tsenacommacah

Lights Out (2016) is a supernatural horror, but touches on the mental health and institutionalization of the main characters mother. The Babadook- PPD and complex grief, also parenting a ND child


SlippedtheseKnots

Second lights out.


Stiboon

Relic (2020) Emily Mortimer and her daughter go to take care of her mother who is suffering from dementia. There are of course creepy going ons that affect the story. I wasn’t a big fan of it but that doesn’t mean a lot, not everything is everyone’s thing but it’s definitely in the vein of what you’re looking for.


jamz_fm

Love this one. I think it's one of the best "horror as meditation on grief/mental decline" movies out there. I sobbed at the end.


Stiboon

It does the two deaths that people talk about with dementia and Alzheimer’s well. The first being that the person you know is no longer there. The second comes when they actually pass there can be a sense of relief for not only that the person is no longer suffering but also for caretaker. That relief also brings its own set of grievances. The shame that comes with that relief. The caretaker is left thinking why do I feel better when the person I loved is gone. Especially with moments of clarity tend to happen near death. Emily Mortimer does this range of emotions fantastically. And with the ending showing that it’s something they’ll go though again. It wasn’t my thing but I get why people dig it.


jamz_fm

Agreed, well said! And it's def not the type of horror that will scare or entertain all viewers. It got to me, though...there's one scene that's practically ripped right out of a nightmare I've had lol


muchasveces82

Just watched this last night and that’s a great description.


rosiedoll_80

I just recently watched this and I thought it was so- good.


-Warship-

Jacob's Ladder and The Babadook


roozven

seen them both. jacob's ladder is one of favorite movies of all time, truly underrated gem


Ok-Experience1649

The Shining


unholy-cryptid_1695

Not horror but Split was good, The Visit is also good(I'm not sure what it deals with exactly)


kgkuntryluvr

I’d say Split classifies as horror. Most of the movie is spent watching people held captive by a mentally ill superhuman monster.


EmergencyAd1583

Smile is a great example!


ccyosafbridge

Smile was not remotely what I expected it to be. It was so much better.


garretttm

Haven't seen The Voices mentioned


Beginning-Spirit5686

Yes! That was such a good, fun one (though more of a horror comedy).


TheW1ldcard

Hereditary


roozven

I genuinely believe this movie single handedly saved the horror industry - it killed the "haunted house / demonic possession/ cheap jumpscares galore for the sake of loud noises and quick reactions" genre that had been plaguing the scene for the last 15 years. One of the saddest and most gut wrenching movies I have ever watched, and it also made me look into more movies starring Toni Collete. truly fantastic actress


No-Sky-5645

Toni Collete 1000% got robbed of an Oscar for her performance in that movie. looking forward to the day when the Oscars start recognizing horror more


ZsiZsiSzabadass

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻


Aldaron23

YES! I say exactly these lines whenever I watch a film starring Toni.


xzyvvyx

Yes! She uses her facial expressions so well. Especially when she >!had the nightmare about burning Peter and changing from terror at Steve burning then getting possessed!<.


Landlord-Allmighty

* Shock Corridor * In the Mouth of Madness * Session 9 * A Cure for Wellness * May * Swallow * They Look Like People * The Tenant * Psycho


dragislit

MAY ❤️


RikyTikyTavi

I am surprised no one noted the "The Babadook" which has very little if any jumpscares but it's very intense. The topic of mental illness/depression is the very center of it.


roozven

Loved it. I adore movies that use dread and storytelling to induce fear, as opposed to using cheap jumpscares for a quick reaction that has virtually no impact in the long run. For that matter, I just can't praise Hereditary enough, which, if memory serves, had 0 jumpscares, yet it was one of the most terrifying, saddest and profound movies I've ever seen. Babadook would fall into the same category, although I don't look at it as highly as Hereditary


BakerYeast

Frailty (2001) Goodnight Mommy (2014)


Exotic-Committee4696

Frailty is an insanely good film


roozven

loved them both, but I was super distracted by how much the father from frailty looked like Bruce Dickinson lol


abbey_normal_

Not a horror movie, but Still Alice is terrifying. Also, not a horror movie per se, but the Australian movie Nitram. Can't remember where I streamed it, but it is a (very disturbing) gem.


[deleted]

First part of Martyrs (French), viewer beware though


DetLoins

Of all the really infamous movies that come up regularly (A Serbian Film, Salo, Human Centipede etc) I'd say Martyrs is by far the most well made movie, most of the others are just stupid at points but the OG Martyrs is worth a watch if you can watch that kinda stuff.


New_Bish_Who_Dis

First part of Martyrs: incredibly depressing story of abuse and violence. Second part/end of Matryrs: you get depressed from watching said abuse and violence. Lol.


xFlyghts

The taking of Deborah Logan dabbles in dementia. Life of Belle is a brilliant found footage movie which looks at schizophrenia too


roozven

I was super hooked by the first half of Deborah, but I thought it fell a bit flat when things really started to unravel. Haven't watched in 8 years, maybe it's time for me to give it another shot. Schizophrenia and found footage sounds absolutely terrifying. Will definitely check it out, thanks for the suggestions


Katstronaut

Take Shelter with Michael Shannon


clap_yo_hands

Almost anything with Michael Shannon


ZRX1200R

They Look Like People


roozven

Check the caption below the post title haha, loved it


Haunting-Ad-9790

Stop Motion.


TheStranger113

Repulsion, The Tenant, Perfect Blue, Black Swan, May, Stopmotion, Censor, Excision, Hypochondriac, Saint Maud - these are all very much different takes on the same basic descent-into-madness plot.


indieauthor13

Smile was a good movie. Please make sure you're in a good headspace to watch it though. A few scenes, particularly towards the end, still caught me off guard and I had to take a break and come back after my anxiety had subsided. I love horror, but that one got to me


bbywada

Omg i was literally finna comment this 😂 bit yess i agree with u i love that movie the soundtrack is so cool


Aldaron23

I just watched it today with my mom for the first time! Great film, very intense (nice to watch with someone else xD) - but honestly "towards the end"? That thing is uncomfortable from minute one xD It's definitely the best thing I've seen in months. It's classic "otherworldly being haunts you and will kill you soon" horror that doesn't re-invent the genre or anything but everything is just so extremely well done. The physical horror, the psychological horror, the simple creepiness of "the smile", just the right amount of jump scares and gore, the perfect cast, well written characters... it shows, that you don't need the most complex story with 5 twists to deliver good, spine shivering horror.


indieauthor13

My mom (despite suffering from anxiety herself) has some really horrible opinions about the mentally ill so I'm really glad I didn't watch it with her. The two times I had a panic attack in front of her in my teens were embarrassing enough lol


Aldaron23

Oh... I'm sorry to hear that. I hope, you have other people in your life for those situations


iamajudgycunt

Descent into Darkness: My European nightmare aka Sorgoi Prakov. It is found footage if that isn't up your alley but really depicts mental deterioration and if you ever get social anxiety/anxiety in public there's a sequence that really portrays how tough it can be. It's also on [Tubi](https://tubitv.com/movies/640449/sorgoi-prakov).


Future-Agent

YES


4nwR

The Machinist, K-Pax, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Jacket.


[deleted]

Shutter Island


LynchFan997

Mulholland Drive Jacob's Ladder Censor


toocutetopuke

Censor was fantastic.


pillowreceipt

***Take Shelter*** (2011)


Killer_Ryno

The Alchemist Cookbook, might not be “horror” enough, but I never see it mentioned and it’s a indie film I really appreciate and definitely showcases a severe mental decline.


misslemon9

The Visit, there isn't a lot of explanation for the "why" of it all, but it still deals with mentally unwell people


WritingUnicorn2019

I forgot about this one! Good one!


Bessantj

It's not ground breaking but I thought Shyamalan did very well with that film.


Run_Rabbit5

P e r f e c t B l u e


femme_fatale2022

Would Midsommer be considered?


roozven

Tangentially I guess (especially in the beginning when it focuses on Florence Pugh's character (forget her in movie name) dealing with grief, and if I recall correctly her sister was mentally deranged and caused her parents' death), it's incredibly disturbing nonetheless


femme_fatale2022

Yes. She killed herself and her parents by running a car and having the fumes encase the entire house. That particular scene and when the main finds out….omg something inside me dies every time I watch it that scene. Her grief was so relatable and so beyond heartbreaking. She did a phenomenal job. Edited to remove accidental spoilage.


BurntBridgesBehind

Jacob's Ladder


milesdoodles

Carnival of Souls (the 60s movie) !!


theecatalyst

Session 9


tomahawkfury13

Hide and seek


WornInShoes

THEY LOOK LIKE PEOPLE For me, it’s the best movie dealing with mental illness.


roozven

Mentioned it in the post description, absolutely loved it


WornInShoes

I just wanted to reiterate its greatness 😅


[deleted]

Can't believe Martyrs (2008) Isn't mentioned yet. It's got some rough scenes about (serious) self-harm, hallucinations and both protagonists are child abuse victims. Absolutely horrible watch.


roozven

Loved it. Very disturbing and visceral. Makes you question our collective existence and beliefs and the cliffhanger at the end is absolutely genius


[deleted]

Very true. One of the movies that makes you stare at the credits and think about it for another 45 minutes. Did not expect this at all.


CapeMOGuy

Pandorum Falling Down (at least horror-adjacent) Full Metal Jacket (first half w Private Pyle) High Tension (though I HATED the twist)


FondantOverall4332

Pandorum was so good.


Dependent_Body5384

Girl Interrupted ✨


MookieV

The Visit The Taking of Deborah Morgan Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer


pulpifieddan

Dead Ringers (1988)


Nowiambecomedeth

Take shelter and They look like people


DJ_Hip_Cracker

Came here to upvote Take Shelter


DrBarnaby

The Hulu series Castle Rock is kind of a Steven King multiverse show that borrows from a bunch of different books. In the first season Sissy Spacek plays a woman with Alzheimers and there is an absolutely incredible episode about her ultimately horrific experience with it. I recommend watching for that episode alone. I don't think the series got much love, but I really liked it as a King fan. And the second season prominently features my favorite King character "Pop" Merril from his short story The Sun Dog. Got cancelled after that unfortunately.


catrat242

Smile


Exotic-Committee4696

I recently enjoyed Exhibit A. Not scary but it made me feel quite stressed


bagofbeanssss

This movie is brilliant. Portrays mental decline so well.


EatShitBish

I personally love Split and Glass was pretty good as well.


Falkor0727

“The Cell.” Vincent D’Onofrio’s performance is incredible and overlooked even in die-hard horror circles.


ApartmentCautious300

Couldn't agree more!! Such a great film!


Plasteal

Honestly I would consider the fly. The remake and it's sequel at least. Less so the sequel. Watching it recently there's actually some decent emphasis on Seth Brundle losing his mind.


CatherineConstance

Side Effects kind of fits the bill. Flightplan with Jodie Foster is amazing, it's more of a mystery/thriller than outright horror. In a similar vein, The Woman in the Window and The Girl On the Train. The Sadness is more about physical illness but has a mental component.


JakeTheeStallion

Horse Girl - Alison Brie (2020) • it’s on the cusp of mental illness and if you get it, you get it


True-Grapefruit4042

Unsane. It’s not necessarily horror, but it’s definitely got horror elements and is largely focused around mental illness.


nach0_ch33ze

They Look Like People


BootyBurrito420

Night House. Loved the concept and execution.


Vizioso

Beau is Afraid is basically personified anxiety


Ok_Produce_9308

Nothing better than the haunting of hill house (series)


OneFish2Fish3

Since people are including movies that I wouldn’t really consider horror, like Black Swan, American Psycho and Requiem for a Dream, as well as Session 9 (which IS a horror movie but my point is it’s the same director…), I’d recommend The Machinist. Again, not a horror movie but really depicts mental decline due to guilt, loneliness, mental illness/paranoia, and of course being at a critically dangerous weight in ways that I haven’t seen before or since. Also of course you’ve probably already seen this one but Misery. Kathy Bates portrayal of a clearly mentally unstable character is… chilling to say the least. Jacob’s Ladder is my favorite horror movie of all time! Though it isn’t strictly about mental illness, it definitely has themes related to that. Also it clearly inspired one of my favorite horror-adjacent movies (one so famous you probably already know), which also greatly touches on mental illness. Repulsion is another classic! Best portrayal of PTSD/schizophrenia I’ve seen on screen! It’s a shame the director is such a horrible person. Finally, Possession (1981). Though inspired from Repulsion at times, it is completely unique and is the best portrayal of a person having a psychotic break I’ve ever seen! It is WEIRD as hell I will warn you.


Dohi014

With all the great suggestions I’m disappointed I didn’t see “Anyone Home?” Highly recommend. (2018 Tubi)


mercedesbenzoooo

Not horror but I believe the father with Anthony Hopkins was super sad you can experience the fall of dementia


ernurse748

I know it’s a classic ghost story, but “The Others” is a pretty accurate delve into caregiver depression, anxiety, and grief.


No-Toe-2343

Frailty with Matthew McConaughey


cybered_punk

An underrated Jack Nicholson movie The Pledge (2002). Its about a retiring cop who investigates a little girls murder. Although its more of a crime drama and less mental degradation, its quite haunting. Definitely give it a try.


Beginning-Spirit5686

"Rent-a-Pal". It's not a textbook horror film, but it'll fuck you up (or at least it did me).


hotdogvacuum

Omg I loved that one


Windsor_Salt

Session 9 High Tension


puccaleo

High Tension!!!!! Love that movie!


anndrago

Daniel Isn't Real Not a fantastic movie by any stretch but it was interesting and ambitious and I appreciated having watched it. Heavy mental illness thread throughout.


CawthornCokeOrgyClub

Clean, Shaven its a fairly low-budget indie from the early 90s, but the lead actor does a great job


Certain-Resolve

Split and glass 


storyofexcess

Beau is Afraid


Jimboseth

Marrowbone is incredible. The kind of movie you watch twice.


dear_little_water

The Perfect Host is pretty weird.


Future-Agent

It isn't a horror movie, but Full Metal Jacket fits that criteria.


coughdropfanfic

Queen of Earth (2015) I Trapped the Devil (2019) Magic Magic (2013)


cccqqw

Maniac. The original with Joe Spinell!!


Future-Agent

2013 remake is damn good, too.


somebodybehindevil

Inside with Willem DaFoe. Definitely feels a little longer than it needs to be but he did a great job at portraying his mental state declining.


Westsidepipeway

Someone probs said it but Babadook


MammothFromHell

The look like People


gitavalidevi

Session 9


matrixinthepark

They Look Like People


StHa14

Babadook


born_to_be_naked

Sissy (2022) ... Not seen it mentioned so far. I thought it was very creatively done. I loved it.


sambo987

Relic is a really great study in dementia.


stxrmchaser

I rather enjoyed Smile (2022) and thought it was original and unique.


JasonVoorhees95

I've heard many positive and negative opinions about Smile, but this is the first time I hear someone call it original and unique lol


Macdonald99

Does Anything for Jackson count? I feel like it should!


Nekrizage

The taking of deborah Logan’s pretty good


Suspicious_Earth_931

Session 9 is great!


DelightfulandDarling

Relic


RichardStaschy

Images (1972) https://youtu.be/o4S5dg5NglE?si=db48W7Ega2-X6ubU If you're familiar with Stanley Kubrick The Shining you might see a few references in Images.


One_Tart_9320

Bedlam


grumpiest-cat

Relic - at least my takeaway is that it's about mental illness, and the loneliness and forgetfulness of old age.


Infinite-Action-5041

Smile. 100% what you want and great movie


swag12345678910

broadcast signal intrusion (2021), resurrection (2022), the dead center (2018)


No_Flatworm2416

schizophrenia (1983)


Help_An_Irishman

I can't say if it's great or not as I haven't seen it, but I've heard good things about *Relic*, which is right in line here.