Supernatural Thrillers to analyze?

Randall_Oelerich

Randall_Oelerich

Veteran
I am studying ten or so supernatural thrillers to help craft a story I am developing. Here is my list of ten I am analyzing thus far. Does anybody have one or two other really good supernatural thriller films that I should consider adding to my study list? On a side note, I find it interesting that the vast majority of supernatural thrillers, at least in my short list below, have a female protagonist (Mothman has Richard Gere, but the others are all female protags); I wonder why that is?
~randall

The Eye
Dark Water
The Grudge
The Mothman Prophecies
The Others
The Return
The Ring
Unborn
Uninvited
What Lies Beneath

(EDIT: adding to list, based on replies)
Sixth Sense
Signs

 
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How about The Shining?

What Lies Beneath is a very underrated film, IMO. The camerawork alone is almost a character in the story. Very suspenseful. I wish Robert Zemeckis would go back to making more movies like that and forget about the whole motion-capture Polar Express/Beowulf/Christmas Carol gimmick.

Definitely glad you added Sixth Sense to your list. I may get some flack for this one, but I'd also recommend Signs as another good one. Very moody & suspenseful.
 
FilmBoy77 said:
signs was tight, not sure what kinda flack you would get for suggesting that.
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Many people have intense dislike for any of Shyamalan's films that aren't Sixth Sense. It's true that some are stronger than others, and there's a couple of duds there (*cough*HAPPENING*cough*) But generally he get's a lot of criticism for his films.

I like The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs. There's some good moments in The Village and in Lady in the Water, but they weren't as strong as the others, IMO.
 
jrv3034 said:
Many people have intense dislike for any of Shyamalan's films that aren't Sixth Sense. It's true that some are stronger than others, and there's a couple of duds there (*cough*HAPPENING*cough*) But generally he get's a lot of criticism for his films.

I like The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs. There's some good moments in The Village and in Lady in the Water, but they weren't as strong as the others, IMO.
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Unbreakable was very good.

I think the problem with Shymalan is that he puts certain things in films that are so ridiculous that the audience feels cheated.

Signs for instance was tight, but the whole water thing killing the aliens was so absurd that it undid the whole story. The aliens can travel across light years but they can't wear anoraks? Ridiculous.

The Village was the same. The ending spoilt the film. Although it made thematic sense it raised so many questions about what you'd just watched.

Eg why were these New Yorkers (or wherever) talking in this 19th Century manner? Fair enough they wanted to escape the world, but can you imagine them all sitting round practicing their new way of speaking in the early days?:cheesy:

He makes you feel manipulated as an audience and people don't like that. You can mess with them as much as want, but when you basically tell them lies it creates a feeling of distrust amongst your audience. That's why he's getting such a backlash now IMO.

Lady in the Water was a sign that he'd disappeared up his own backside. Once you start writing scenes purely to have a dig at critics, you are surely in trouble.

Still he's very talented. I even quite enjoyed the Happening. Like I say, he's getting the backlash for playing with people.


One film to add to the collection:

The original the Haunting. Great example of how to build an atmosphere with not much happening.

Session 9 is worth checking out.

The Devils Backbone
The Orphanage
 
stephenmick said:
...And Randall, why the skew towards thrillers from the past five years? Just curious.
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More contemporary, the type of film I like. I mean, I watched The Exorcist the other night and to be honest it bored the heck out of me, took so long for anything scary to happen, unlike modern sup thrillers. Might be just me, everybody entitled to what what works for them.
 
Randall_Oelerich said:
On a side note, I find it interesting that the vast majority of supernatural thrillers, at least in my short list below, have a female protagonist (Mothman has Richard Gere, but the others are all female protags); I wonder why that is?
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Woman are much more likely to be empowered by a female protagonist while it brings out the protective instinct in men.
 
Richard J. Johnson said:
I love the Mothman! Creepy film.

The Sixth Sense
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I like that movie as well. Though Luis Caffesse just made fun of me for owning it. Apparently he could never bring himself to see the movie because of the "chapstick" part of the trailer ... he kind of has a point though...
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Read titles listed in thread. Will add:
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