7 Fantastic NEON Horror Films Worth Your Attention

      Casey Chong presents seven exceptional horror films from NEON that you must watch...

      Indie production and distribution company NEON has provided audiences with a wide array of genres since its inception with the 2017 sci-fi comedy Colossal featuring Anne Hathaway. Since then, the New York-based firm has earned a reputation for delivering outstanding films such as the biographical sports drama I, Tonya, the gritty action thriller Revenge, and the award-winning historical drama Parasite. NEON has also made notable strides in the horror genre, with standout hits like Longlegs and The Monkey, both directed by Osgood Perkins. In light of the recent release of Together, starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie (check out our review here), here are seven remarkable horror films from NEON that are worth your time...

      Little Monsters (2019)

      Australian director Abe Forsythe ventures into familiar zombie-comedy territory with Little Monsters. He also penned the screenplay, setting up his two main characters right from the start. The first is Dave (Alexander England), a struggling musician who frequently argues with his self-centered girlfriend, Sara (Nadia Townsend). The second character is Miss Audrey Caroline (Lupita Nyong’o), whom Dave immediately falls for, she is the kindergarten teacher of his nephew, Felix (Diesel La Torraca).

      The story takes a dramatic turn during a school field trip to a farm when a horde of zombies attacks. This is where Little Monsters truly shines, as Forsythe portrays Miss Audrey Caroline as a committed kindergarten teacher who remains professional and composed under pressure, prioritizing the children's safety during the zombie chaos. Nyong’o's committed performance enhances the film. Forsythe skillfully blends both dark humor and amicability with sufficient gore and graphic violence to satisfy genre enthusiasts.

      The Lodge (2019)

      The directing duo of Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, known for Goodnight Mommy, crafts a slow-burn psychological horror in The Lodge, which opens with a shocking scene before centering on widower Richard's (Richard Armitage) two children, Aiden (Jaeden Martell) and Mia (Lia McHugh), who react negatively to their stepmother, Grace (Riley Keough). Throughout the film, the directors emphasize creating a sense of dread rather than relying on overt violence and gore, particularly as the storyline unfolds with Grace, Aiden, and Mia trapped in the lodge during a snowstorm while Richard is away, leading to unsettling outcomes.

      Credit also goes to the directors for their effective use of the isolated lodge setting, which enhances the feeling of unease. Keough's performance stands out, and the film examines thought-provoking themes surrounding religion, trauma, and gaslighting.

      Possessor (2020)

      Brandon Cronenberg, son of David Cronenberg, wrote and directed this dark and nightmarish sci-fi horror, marking his second feature following 2012’s Antiviral. Like his debut, he honors his father's legacy by incorporating signature body horror elements into Possessor, which has an intriguing premise: a high-level corporate assassin, Tasya Vos (the excellent Andrea Riseborough), uses advanced brain implant technology to take control of other people’s minds and bodies to eliminate targets.

      Alongside Riseborough's chilling performance, Brandon Cronenberg's unique visual style and unabashed depiction of gore and violence make Possessor a visceral cinematic experience.

      She Dies Tomorrow (2020)

      What if you learned that you were going to die tomorrow for an unexplained reason? Writer-director Amy Seimetz delves into this existential dread in She Dies Tomorrow. The film takes a more symbolic approach, avoiding traditional horror elements, which may not appeal to many genre aficionados looking for conventional thrills.

      However, if you are open to something completely different, this film abstractly conveys the underlying themes of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, reflecting the Covid-19 pandemic context at the time of its release. Seimetz deserves recognition for her innovative blend of psychedelic visuals, foreboding sound design, and vibrant neon lighting that captures the characters' perplexing confrontation with mortality.

      In the Earth (2021)

      Believe it or not, Ben Wheatley reportedly wrote and directed In the Earth in just 15 days during the Covid-19 pandemic. The plot mirrors real-world events, following two characters—a scientist (Joel Fry’s Martin Lowery) and a park guide (Ellora Torchia’s Alma)—as they search for a missing researcher, Olivia (Hayley Squires), deep in the forest. A heads-up: the film contains considerable strobe lighting, especially in the latter half, which may frustrate some viewers.

      For those who can endure these visuals, Wheatley successfully immerses audiences in a surreal atmosphere, complete with eerie sound design. He doesn’t shy away from graphic violence, notably a memorable scene involving an amputated toe, while weaving in