7 Best Horror Movies About Cults, Including Midsommar

In a unique exploration of human psyche, cult-themed horror movies plunge into our essential longings for connection and purpose, simultaneously exposing how susceptible these needs can be to manipulation. Ranging from secluded religious groups to urban occultists, these films portray the chilling outcomes when charismatic leaders encounter vulnerable devotees. They subtly provoke thoughts about whether we are truly immune to cults’ influence or if we too might succumb to their deceptive allure.

Let me share with you our list of top seven chilling horror films centered around cults, each providing a distinctive viewpoint on how group ideologies can spiral out of control.

7) The Lodge (2019)

In “The Lodge,” filmmakers Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz masterfully weave a bone-chilling winter tale from their own nightmares, with Riley Keough brilliantly portraying Grace, a woman tormented by her past in a religious cult. When Grace is stranded in an isolated winter lodge alongside her future stepchildren, the shadows of her traumatic past emerge in eerie, unsettling ways. To make matters worse, the film’s confined setting intensifies its probing into how the residue of cult-related trauma can corrupt even the most everyday family relationships, creating a truly chilling experience that leaves you questioning the bonds we share with our loved ones.

The unique aspect of “The Lodge” lies in its unsparing exploration of generational trauma and the lingering impact of religious extremism. Instead of centering on direct cult involvement, the movie illustrates how deep-seated psychological wounds from cult life can linger for years after escape, not only affecting the survivor but also influencing those close to them.

6) Baskin (2015)

The chilling Turkish movie “Baskin” leads viewers on a harrowing journey into insanity as a band of police officers unwittingly encounter a gruesome cult ceremony. What sets this film apart is its distinctive cultural viewpoint and unflinching style. Unlike most cult films that delve into psychological manipulation, “Baskin” offers a more primal perspective, exploring the reactions of figures in authority when they’re faced with powers they can neither understand nor control.

I, as a viewer, found myself immersed in a chilling ambiance skillfully crafted by Director Can Evrenol, where surrealism intertwines with gut-wrenching horror, challenging traditional narrative structures. Unlike a straightforward storyline, Baskin takes me on a spiraling journey to the depths of hell. The scenes, brutal and saturated with blood, leave such an indelible mark on my mind that their haunting images linger long after the closing credits.

5) Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

I found myself captivated by Roman Polanski’s masterpiece, where Mia Farrow plays Rosemary Woodhouse, a pregnant woman who unwittingly finds herself in the crosshairs of her enigmatic neighbors’ mysterious intentions. The brilliance of this film is rooted in its subtlety, as it skillfully unveils a hidden cult’s presence, fostering an unsettling sense of paranoia by subtly twisting everyday interactions into something ominous, with the dark undertones becoming increasingly evident as the narrative unfolds.

Rosemary’s Baby transformed the way horror films handle cult stories by rooting supernatural elements in everyday city existence. Rather than depicting the sinister cult as a secluded group of fanatics living in the wilderness, the film illustrates that threats can lurk even in places we believe to be secure. Moreover, its examination of personal autonomy and female control within institutions remains strikingly contemporary. It’s no surprise that the impact of Rosemary’s Baby is evident in numerous subsequent films delving into occult plots.

4) The Wicker Man (1973)

Robin Hardy’s folk horror masterwork narrates the journey of Sergeant Neil Howie (played by Edward Woodward), who delves into an inquiry concerning a missing individual on a secluded Scottish isle. What he uncovers shakes the very foundations of his Christian perspective, as he encounters a pagan community that starkly contrasts his own beliefs.

The movie’s power comes from its nuanced portrayal, offering a balanced empathy and critique towards Howie’s strict Christianity and the islanders’ pagan practices. This approach encourages viewers to ponder if Howie’s Christian morality is truly superior to the islanders’ pagan faith, resulting in a complex exploration of religious relativism that leads to one of the most disturbing endings in horror cinema. Furthermore, Christopher Lee delivers an outstanding portrayal as Lord Summerisle, contributing to the creation of one of cinema’s most intriguing cult leaders.

3) The Endless (2017)

Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead’s thought-provoking movie tells the tale of two siblings revisiting a “UFO death cult” they left behind long ago. Initially, their mission is about finding closure, but it eventually transforms into an investigation of time, reality, and the essence of free will. The directors lending their own faces to the brothers’ roles imbues the narrative with a heightened sense of truth, as Benson and Moorhead are well-versed in crafting the chilling terrors they aim to evoke through this gradual exploration of cults.

The Endless sets itself apart from common cult film themes by delving into profound questions about free will and fate instead. It also serves as an exceptional portrayal of cosmic terror, diving deep into the disquieting terrors that come with confronting a force beyond human understanding. Consequently, The Endless‘s original handling of supernatural aspects and intricate storyline makes it a standout for its thought-provoking contribution to the genre.

2) The Empty Man (2020)

David Prior’s overlooked masterpiece, “The Pontifex War,” delves into the journey of former police officer James Lasombra (James Badge Dale). He’s on the trail of a string of disappearances connected to the enigmatic Pontifex Society. As his missing persons case unfolds, it transforms into an exploration of faith, reality, and the essence of life itself.

The movie titled “The Empty Man” takes cult horror to a new level by thoughtfully examining its philosophical ideas. It posits that thoughts could be self-aware entities capable of infecting human minds much like viruses. The Pontifex Society’s teachings serve as the backdrop for an exploration into how feelings of modern solitude and existential fear might make individuals vulnerable to harmful ideologies that claim to provide meaning via the annihilation of one’s self. Admittedly, this film isn’t simple viewing, as it challenges viewers to ponder the very essence of reality, which accounts for its initially mixed reviews. However, The Empty Man is gradually earning the appreciation that it deserves.

1) Midsommar (2019)

In simpler terms, Ari Aster’s movie titled “Hereditary” is about Dani (played by Florence Pugh). She goes on an anthropological trip with her boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor) to a secluded Swedish community after experiencing a terrible personal loss. The film’s chilling events unfold under constant daylight, which adds to the confusion and mirrors Dani’s mental state as she becomes more entangled in the community’s control.

The peak of cult horror in the movie Midsommar lies in its skillful blend of empathy and terror. This film grasps that cults exploit not just vulnerabilities but fundamental human desires for connection, comprehension, and tradition. Given its timing, this theme resonates deeply as Midsommar delves into the attractiveness of white supremacist ideologies to those who lack genuine human relationships. Aster explores, through Dani’s transformation from solitude to horrifying acceptance, how sorrow can render anyone susceptible to deception. The film’s breathtaking visuals and intricate depiction of rituals provide an engrossing experience that is both stunningly beautiful and terrifyingly horrific.

2025-01-13 16:10