10 Must-Watch Slow-Burn Horror Films That Will Send Chills Down Your Spine

      Casey Chong presents ten unsettling slow-burn horror films…

      The horror genre is fascinating due to its wide range of elements, from body horror to found footage, dark fantasy, slasher films, and supernatural themes. One notable subgenre is slow-burn horror, which, as its name implies, emphasizes a gradual buildup of character development and situation before culminating in a tense climax. These films typically create a pervasive sense of dread through music, sound design, imagery, and directorial style. While some viewers may dislike this subgenre for its storytelling style, those who appreciate slow-burn horror will find a list of ten exceptional films to explore…

      The Shining (1980)

      “Here’s Johnny!” This iconic line from Jack Nicholson is among the most memorable moments in the history of slow-burn horror films. Before Nicholson’s Jack Torrance fully unravels, Stanley Kubrick’s expert direction in The Shining takes a steady and careful pace from the very start. The story follows a writer, a recovering alcoholic, who attempts to complete his work while serving as the winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel with his family (Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd).

      Kubrick cleverly uses isolation to highlight Jack Torrance’s deteriorating mental health along with the mysterious, supernatural events occurring in the hotel, ultimately leading him to his breaking point. The film is rich with striking imagery (such as the famous Steadicam shot of Danny riding a tricycle down the hallway and encountering two identical twins, and the blood flowing from the elevator) and a growing sense of dread that builds until the dramatic finale.

      Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

      Mia Farrow’s trendy pixie haircut, designed by the legendary Vidal Sassoon, may be a highlight of this Roman Polanski classic from 1968, but there’s much more to the film. It serves as a prime example of how provocative themes—here, religious allegory and satanic rituals—can create a hypnotic, slowly unraveling story.

      Polanski meticulously crafts the tale of Rosemary (Farrow, delivering one of her career's best performances) and her pregnancy, which brings about persistent fear and anxiety. His leisurely pace establishes a lingering unease that enhances the movie’s sinister atmosphere as it progresses. By the time it leads to an unsettling resolution, Rosemary’s Baby affirms its status as one of the most significant slow-burn horror films ever made.

      The Witch (2015)

      An evil presence lurks in the isolated forests of 17th-century New England, allowing Robert Eggers’ assured directorial debut, The Witch, to become steeped in ominous dread. His slow-burn technique reflects a filmmaker skilled at utilizing claustrophobic settings and sound design, as well as the power of ambiguity. Eggers believes that mood and atmosphere can heighten fear more effectively than standard jump scares, gore, and violence. The film is also notable for launching the career of Anya Taylor-Joy as a rising star in Hollywood.

      Hereditary (2018)

      Hereditary marks Ari Aster’s directorial debut, revealing his talent for creating intentionally paced elevated horror through precise camera work and atmospheric visuals right from the beginning. Though he explores familiar themes of grief and dysfunctional family dynamics, the slow-building dread is a masterclass in slow-burn horror. The story revolves around a seemingly cursed family led by Annie (Toni Collette, in one of her most powerful performances) as her emotionally distant daughter Charlie (Milly Shapiro) exhibits strange behavior. Aster expertly keeps viewers off balance while layering ominous visuals, chilling sound design, and Colin Stetson’s impressive score throughout the film.

      Midsommar (2019)

      Following Hereditary, Ari Aster’s second film transitions into the folk-horror genre with Midsommar. He pays tribute to The Wicker Man, the classic 1973 film, as the story follows a group of young friends, including Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor, on a trip to a remote Swedish festival.

      Aster applies the same meticulous slow-burn technique to produce captivating results, filling the film with evocative imagery and a unique visual style. Despite being longer than his previous work, it never feels overextended, thanks to Aster’s brilliant direction. He expertly builds tension leading to a series of unsettling and shockingly graphic moments. If possible, seek out the 171-minute director’s cut, which includes approximately 25 extra minutes of footage.

      Don’t Look Now (1973)

      Nicholas Roeg’s deliberate exploration of grief faced by a couple, played by Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie after the tragic loss of their young daughter (Sharon Williams), stands out as a classic slow-burn horror. Roeg dives deep into the psychological and emotional layers of Sutherland and Christie’s characters, highlighting their powerful performances. The film slowly immerses viewers in a sense of impending dread through its mo