2017 was an interesting year for horror cinema, but can we say it was an exceptional year? Not as much as 2013 and 2016. The intriguing aspect of this year is the presence of films in different styles on the list. Films like Get Out, Killing of the Sacred Deer, and Life are not essentially horror films, but they manage to evoke fear. Alongside the films that made a comeback after years, there is also a Spanish horror that I inserted into the mix. We can’t say it was a terrible year, but we also can’t claim it was a perfect year.
Get Out
We can say that Get Out was the film that was made with the least amount of money and made the most profit in 2017, and perhaps in history, if I’m not mistaken. With a budget of around 5 million dollars, Get Out grossed nearly 400 million dollars, thanks to its creative concept that it built upon. The film tells the story of a black young man visiting his white girlfriend’s family and how things unfold in ways you can’t predict. It keeps you wondering what’s happening until the very end, making it a highly successful film. Definitely watch it and make others watch it too.
Gerald’s Game
Directed by Mike Flanagan, a master of horror cinema who manages to enter my list every year with at least one film, this adaptation of Stephen King’s novel is no exception. Jessie and Gerald, who go to a remote house for some intimacy, are in search of a fantasy. After some playful activities, Gerald, who ties Jessie to the bed, suffers a heart attack and leaves Jessie tied up. Apart from the grief of losing her husband, Jessie is left tied up, hungry, and thirsty, with the closest person who could save her miles away. Jessie’s gradual descent into madness forms the horror and suspense part of the film. Gerald’s Game is quite an interesting film, but I would have given it a higher rating if the ending had been better, as they couldn’t quite handle it.
It Comes at Night
It Comes at Night, a film by Trey Edward Shults, the director of Krisha, seemed like it would be legendary based on its trailer but ended up being a disappointment when watched. Why did I include it in my list? Because it has an open-ended structure. While the film initially appears to have a more, at least remotely, fantastical approach, we realize that it actually has a psychological aspect. Of course, my dislike doesn’t mean you won’t like it either. It’s a typical A24 film and has an intriguing aspect to it.
IT
IT, the second feature film by Andres Muschietti, who made a fast entry into the world of cinema with Mama, is a remake of the 1990 miniseries. The 2017 version of IT, which was the reason for people’s fear of clowns back then, is not to be underestimated either. While the original clown was more psychological and disturbing, the 2017 version is more savage, aggressive, and crazier. IT, which I found to be one of the most enjoyable films I watched in 2017, is recommended to everyone.
Annabelle: Creation
We almost encounter a James Wan universe film every year now. Last year, David F. Sandberg, the director of Lights Out, held his hand and directed a film from James Wan’s universe. Unfortunately, the first Annabelle film was not that successful. However, the second film is very successful both in terms of content and its ending. The performances in the film also speak for themselves, making it quite a enjoyable production. Long live James Wan!
Happy Death Day
Happy Death Day is one of the simplest but most interesting films made in recent years. We have seen many films with the Groundhog Day theme, but we had not seen a film where someone dies and comes back. The film tells the story of a girl who manages to die in one way or another at the end of each day, and it is adorned with elements of suspense and horror while also occasionally making the audience laugh, making it an absurd film.
Alien: Covenant
The Alien film, whose release was eagerly anticipated after Ridley Scott’s Prometheus, finally came out in 2017. Actually, when we were expecting Prometheus 2, Covenant appeared. Let’s give credit, the film brings back the Prometheus characters. Although the film starts off strong, it deviates from its course quite a bit over time. Nevertheless, Alien: Covenant is an impressive film in terms of horror, suspense, and action, deserving its place on the list.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Killing of a Sacred Deer, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, known for his peculiar films, tells another strange story with magnificent acting. Especially the character Martin, portrayed by Barry Keoghan, is one of the most annoying and disturbing characters you can encounter in recent years. The film depicts how a child inexplicably kills the people he desires, attaching himself to a family and dragging them towards a psychotic ending through his insistence.
Veronica
Directed by Paco Plaza, the film, which is said to be based on a real police report, is one of the most successful horror films produced by Spanish cinema in recent years. The entire film, which revolves around Veronica being possessed by an unknown “entity,” is nothing but preparation for the last 15 minutes. The discrepancy between what is shown to us and the police reports becomes the biggest twist of the film. It is a highly successful film in terms of horror and deserves to be on my list because it progresses without becoming tedious.
Life
Featuring powerful names such as Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Rebecca Ferguson in the lead roles, the film takes place on a space station. While conducting research on a discovered organism, they find themselves trying to kill each other as two different species in order to survive as the organism begins to attack to protect itself. Life offers both intense horror and successful action on the space station and is definitely among the best of the year.
Split
Split, the new film by cult director M. Night Shyamalan, is one of the most explosive works of the year. The film explores the relationship between a man with 23 different personalities and the girls he kidnaps, laying the foundation for the emergence of the 24th personality. Split, which is connected to the director’s previous film Unbreakable, seems to have a sequel coming.