The 15 Best Horror Movies of 2020

Despite the fact that J-horror is long since dead, for the most part, the genre was always one of the most predominant ones in S/SE Asian, and particularly in the ASEAN countries, where horror was always quite popular. Recently, S. Korean genre cinema also seems to have made a turn towards the category, probably instigated by the huge success of “Train to Busan“, the sequel of which is also included in the list. Lastly, the trend that started in Indonesia with Joko Anwar‘s remake of “Satan's Slaves” continued this year, with Kimo Staboel‘s “Queen of Black Magic” while the other member of Mo Brothers, Timo Tjahjanto also presented in an effort in the genre.

Without further ado, here are the best horror films of 2020, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2019, but since they mostly circulated in 2020, we decided to include them.

*By clicking on the title, you can read the full review of the film

15. Lingering (Kim Yoon-een, South Korea)

Overall, “Lingering” manages to get quite a lot right. One of it's better aspects is director Yoon-een's ability to offer up a heartwarming story at the center between Yoo-mi and Ji-yoo. Doing the journey as a favor for her friend, the bond that develops, as a result, is impressively handled. Yoon-een makes it so it's quite possible to believe they are related through the interactions and protective nature that forms here..Once we're aware of the protective and motherly focus at the center of the film, the slow emergence of the horror elements towards Ji-yoo become all the more frightening. (Don Anelli)

14. Sunod (Carlo Ledesma, Philippines)

Carlo Ledesma is not kind with our emotions, but he is cynical enough to know that reason wining over heart is the only way out of hell, eve if it's of the most personal, heart-breaking nature. “Sunod” is one of the most interesting genre films from 2019. (Marina Richter)

13. The Bridge Curse (Lester Hsi, Taiwan)

Despite being overly familiar in places and not doing much new with its subject, “The Bride Curse” has more than enough moments of genuinely chilling ghost action as well as some solid turns to be a worthwhile enough watch. Those unencumbered by the flaws or Asian ghost movie fans, in general, will find plenty to like here and have the most fun with it while other viewers who aren't as tolerant of the cliches might be a little harsher towards this one. (Don Anelli)

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12. Warning: Do Not Play (Kim Jin-won, South Korea)

Overall, “Warning: Do Not Play” is a pretty solid effort. One of the strongest elements here is the folklore and backstory given to the particular film. Writer/director Jin-won provides a lot of detail that helps to make the narrative fun. Though the concept of the cursed film driving people insane when they watch it is nothing new, the setup of the individual tormented to live out the rest of his life as a paranoid, deranged lunatic for filming and releasing what he did which starts the spread of the rumors involving the film and its legacy afterward, works quite nicely. (Don Anelli)

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11. Fetus (Ook Budiyono, Indonesia)

There was a surprising amount of positives in “Fetus.” The film works best with the enjoyable psychological mind-games that are played on Dinar. Preying on the fear all women who become pregnant experience where everything that happens around the house is an unknown entity out to get the baby or drive her insane, this one falls into that aspect rather well. Given that she obviously senses something is off about the house as her intuition tells her to check something that isn't there or hearing voices coming where they shouldn't, Budiyono creates a successful atmosphere early on that denotes something isn't right. As they keep intensifying and the common reaction is to calm her down simply for the sake of the baby, the paranoia it exploits offers up a lot to like. (Don Anelli)

10. Detention (John Hsu, Taiwan)

One could say that the sociopolitical comments and the metaphors that communicate them are too obvious, but considering the genre premises of the film, I would say that this tactic actually works quite well. In the end, it is always great to watch a horror film with some substance, and that is exactly what “Detention” offers. (Panos Kotzathanasis)

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9. #Alive (Cho Il-hyung, South Korea)

In conclusion, Cho Il-hyung's debut directorial effort lacks some plausibility and risk taking that could make it truly memorable, yet thrives in moments of psychological pensiveness. Supplemented by a strong young cast and a story that is relatively exciting, “#ALIVE” may be unlikely to receive grand acclaim, but is undeniably absorbing. Ergo, if one can go into the movie without heightened expectations, and tackle the lack of sincere authenticity head-on, there is no reason not to enjoy what is ultimately a breezy 99-minutes. (Nathan Sartain)