10. The Watchers
Mina, a 28-year-old artist, finds herself stranded in a vast, pristine forest in western Ireland. After seeking refuge, she becomes trapped with three strangers, hunted each night by mysterious creatures.

9. Terrifier 3
The notorious clown Art is set to unleash chaos among the unsuspecting residents of Miles County, who are settling down for a peaceful Christmas Eve. While fans of brutal gore and dark humor will revel in the blood-soaked antics, the film struggles with its storytelling and coherence. The lack of a solid plot and disjointed narrative make it less effective as a film, but gore enthusiasts will likely overlook these flaws for the over-the-top carnage.

8. Night Swim
After moving into a new house, a family begins to realize that something is amiss. This time, it’s the pool that holds dark secrets. While there are a few tense moments, the film falls short on originality and fails to leave a lasting impression, despite solid performances, especially from Kerry Condon.

7. Abigail
Kidnapping innocent children is a heinous crime, but kidnapping the child of a powerful criminal is an act of folly. A group of criminals takes on the seemingly easy job of abducting a wealthy man’s daughter for a $50 million ransom. However, their plan quickly unravels when their captives begin to die, revealing that some children have far more dangerous secrets than they anticipated.

6. Cuckoo
In a refreshing twist on the sci-fi genre, “Cuckoo” follows Gretchen, a teenager visiting her father’s family in Bavaria. Set in a secluded hotel in the Alps, the film gradually unveils its intriguing themes, including an evolutionary experiment and Gretchen’s mother’s mystery. The significance of the cuckoo theme is left to the viewer’s imagination, making for a thought-provoking experience.

5. Longlegs
Authorities are baffled by Longlegs, a satanic serial killer who never physically touches his victims. Each crime scene is left with a coded message hinting at more to come. The FBI enlists rookie agent Lee Harker, who possesses psychic abilities, to help crack the case. As Lee delves deeper, she discovers a personal connection to the ruthless killer and must race against time to save innocent lives.

4. A Quiet Place: Day One
Sam (Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o) embarks on a day trip to New York, only to arrive on the very day alien creatures begin their attack. As chaos ensues, she teams up with a stranger, Eric (Joseph Quinn), to navigate the noise-infested streets while staying silent to survive. The film captures the tension of escaping a city turned deadly.

3. Alien: Romulus
“Alien: Romulus” brings the iconic franchise back to its roots, introducing fresh faces amidst a terrifying backdrop. A group of young colonizers explores an abandoned space station, only to encounter the deadliest life form in the universe. In deep space, no one can hear their screams.

2. Speak No Evil
Meeting on a vacation in Italy, the Dalton family forms a quick bond with a charismatic doctor, Paddy (James McAvoy). Eager for a weekend getaway at Paddy’s rural estate, the Daltons expect a delightful escape but find themselves in a disturbing situation as Paddy’s eccentricities escalate. Their hopes for a peaceful retreat quickly spiral into a nightmare.

1. Late Night with the Devil
With a captivating original concept and rich period atmosphere, this film shines through its well-crafted characters. David Dastmalchian delivers a surprising performance as the lead, and Ian Bliss is captivating as ever. The film expertly subverts clichés, creating an engaging blend of horror and humor.