10 psychological horror films to watch before Smile 2

With the expected horror sequel Smile 2 With the release scheduled for later this month on October 18th, many may be wondering what films they should watch in preparation for the release. Halloween is just around the corner and the spooky season is the perfect time to sit down and cozy up to some of the greatest horror classics. Smile 2The story follows pop singer Skye Riley, who is embarking on a world tour and is suddenly seized by terrible forces beyond her control.

Because the original Smile was a psychological horror film, the sequel will probably be similar. To prepare for watching Smile 2 When it hits theaters, there are tons of psychological horror films you could watch Smileeach with its own thrills and spills. These are some of the greatest films that will get anyone in the right mood before watching Naomi Scott in her debut as Skye Riley Smile 2turns the characters into another horrific nightmare.

10 Owner

The images are unforgettable and eerie

Following the story of an assassin who possesses the bodies of others to kill her targets, Owner immediately catches the eye. The protagonist, a young woman named Tasya Vos, carefully balances her fragile state of mind throughout the film, She struggles to identify with her own identity as a mother and wife as much as she struggles to become other people. It's terrible to watch her lose herself and wonder what Tasya will do next.

Equal parts tense and bloody, Body horror makes a big comeback in this film. The director of this film is Brandon Cronenberg, son of body horror godfather David Cronenberg, so this should come as no surprise to viewers. Like many of the horror films on this list, Owner is not for the squeamish and pushes the fears presented in the film to their natural breaking point.

9 The Strangers (2008)

The series recently received a new episode

Starting with the original 2008 film The strangers With film icon Liv Tyler in the lead role, this horror film unintentionally sparked an entire series of horror films. Tells the story of a horrific home invasion, The strangers exploits contemporary fears of random acts of violence to thoroughly frighten its audience. There will always be a fear in the back of people's minds that something terrible could happen out of the blue, and this film exploits that fear to great effect.

After watching The strangers, Fans of the film can watch plenty of films to learn more about the now iconic franchise. There are now three films The strangers series, two of which are forthcoming and the latest was released this year Strangers: Chapter 1.

8 The lighthouse

It's a unique exploration of what isolation does to the mind

Based on the story of a couple of lighthouse keepers in the 1890s, The lighthouse It's a little difficult to categorize the film. As far as its genre aspects go, it's equal parts horror, psychological thriller, and standalone work of art. Not only does it exclusively follow the stories of its main characters Thomas Wake and Ephraim Winslow, but it is also shot entirely in black and white.

As the film progresses, the psychological state of these two characters begins to rapidly deteriorate. Because lighthouse keepers are often alone for such long periods of time, this film explores the impact this type of isolation can have on the human spirit. As the film progresses, things become more and more paranoid, leaving viewers excited to see what might happen next.

7 Exit

The career comedian wrote the most memorable horror film of 2017

Before the publication of Exit In 2017, Jordan Peele was best known for his work in comedy. But in a world after the film's incredible theatrical release Fans now know Jordan Peele as one of the greatest horror writers and directors of modern times. Its unique horror style typically encourages viewers to reflect on the film's themes, which are often reflected in today's world.

Exit
is the only horror film to ever win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Not only is the film a frightening juxtaposition of modern racism taken to the extreme, but it is also simply an incredible horror film. For those looking for a taste of what makes psychological horror so unsettling: Exit would be the perfect choice. It treats the subject matter thoughtfully, adding more layers to what begins as a slow-paced thriller.

6 Black Swan

The film is incredibly exciting and unique

Usually considered one of those love it or hate it movies. Black Swan was a surprise hit when it hit theaters in late 2010. It tells the story of ballerina Beth MacIntyre, who tries to land the lead role in the ballet Swan Lake, The psychological horror film that explores the idea of ​​identity and what it means to be who you are. Beth struggles with the intrusive thought that another ballerina might try to steal her spot in the show, a thought that eventually spirals out of control.

Beth is haunted by her doppelganger and her entire world collapses as the demands of this intense performance finally sink in. The film is an incredibly paranoid look at the stresses of professional ballet. Reinforcing the already very present theme of the original Swan Lake Ballet. The film is a good watch, with one of Natalie Portman's best performances to date.

5 Talk to me

It was directed by a pair of YouTubers

Coming to cinemas as a surprise hit in 2022, Talk to me is an A24 horror film that delivers on its supernatural premise. During a house party gone wrong, a group of teenagers use a severed hand to communicate with the dead. To prevent true possession from occurring, whoever is speaking to the dead must disconnect from the spirit within 90 seconds of beginning.

Unsurprisingly, things go wrong almost immediately, with what is real and what is a product of possession quickly dissolving into chaos. It's certainly a brutal affair, and the acting throughout the film is top notch. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the film that take the viewer on an adventure like no other.

4 Perfect blue

It's one of many great 90s anime films

While it may be considered niche for some American viewers, Perfect blue is a heavyweight in the psychological horror genre. Following the story of a pop star named Mima Kirigoe who switches her career to becoming an actress, Perfect blue makes no compromises in its depiction of stalking and murder. There's a very real story to be told here about fan obsession, and this film tells it in haunting detail.

With her life now marred by a series of murders, Mima begins to lose touch with who she really is. Fantasy and reality quickly become interchangeable, with the question of what is real and what isn't becoming a big part of the tension. This film would ultimately inspire and cement artists like Madonna and Darron Aronofsky with their works Perfect blue as one of the greats of psychological horror.

3 The thing

Finding out who the thing infected is half the fun

No list of psychological horror films is complete without the inclusion of The thing, a 1982 science fiction horror film that follows a group of researchers living in Antarctica. While living there, they encounter the Thing, an alien life form capable of assimilating life and hiding in plain sight, pretending to be human. As the film progresses, the crew becomes more and more paranoid as they try to figure out who is human and who has already been killed and replaced by the Thing.

The thing It's not for nothing that it's one of the most famous horror films of the 80s, with excellent actors and practical effects that were incredibly advanced for the time. The body horror is grotesque and out of this world, with a plot that keeps the viewer guessing throughout the duration of the film. It's the perfect movie to watch this Halloween season, especially in preparation Smile 2's publication.

2 Hereditary

The film has some of the best suspense in horror

Another A24 horror film, Hereditary is a psychological horror film with a slower beginning. However, This slow beginning is necessary to set the stage for the carefully crafted horror that comes next. Without going into too many spoilers, Hereditary follows the lives of the Graham family as they struggle with the trauma of death and loss.

Not only does the film contain a small supernatural element that subtly comes into play over the course of the film, But he also manages to deal with the horrors of everyday family life in the most real and disturbing way possible.Hereditary is a film all about blood and gore, but its greatest achievement is that it is perhaps most frightening when there is no blood at all. The horror lies in the fear and tension that the film builds, making it one of the most real and unpleasant horror films ever released.

1 Smile

Viewers should watch this film to prepare for the sequel

Before we go in smile 2, Anyone who wants to see the sequel should watch the first one Smile Film. It doesn't just set the stage for a horror film of this nature Smile 2 it will undoubtedly be, but it also introduces the terrible creature that will return in the sequel. The film deals with themes of grief and trauma and does so in a unique way that is unique among modern horror films.

At the end of the day, as is the case with many sequels, to understand the plot smile 2, It's likely that viewers will have to watch Smile First. The first film will at least provide context for the second film while being an entertaining watch. If anyone is looking for movies to watch before the anticipated sequel, look no further than the film that started it all.