The Devil All The Time & The 9 Most Realistic Horror Movies – Screen Rant

Sometimes, the most terrifying monsters in horror movies are other people. The Devil All The Time and more prove this fear true.

The wretched realms of horror are simply overflowing with slashers, spirits, demons, haunted houses, and other supernatural phenomena, not that the fans are complaining. But how many viewers have had their sense of disbelief shattered because a film wasn't realistic enough for them? Vengeful spirits and demons are only scary if their believable enough, right?

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Fret not, dear cynics. For there are legions of horror flicks that take a more realistic approach to their scares. While they might lack many of the fantastical elements that put viewers in seats, their suspense, dread, and terror will still keep them glued to the screen.

Granted, Bruce the Shark is a tad more intelligent than most of his species, but that doesn't mean a hungry great white shark couldn't exist within swimming distance of a small island town. What's even more realistic is the town's panic and how the local government goes about it,proving that fear can be people's worst enemy even in the face of a literal force of nature.

Shark attacks occur at around an average of 82 incidents annually, so it makes sense that some beachgoers might have more than a little apprehension about getting in the water. Fortunately for humans, they are rarely a shark's favorite flavor.

On the subject of sharks, the events ofJawsare certainly tamer than the heart-stopping isolation ofOpen Water.In the realm of suspenseful storytelling, sometimes less is more.

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With two divers, an open ocean, an uncomfortable amount of solitude and isolation plus a swarm of hungry sharks in the Great Barrier Reef, there's more than one reason not to go back in the water in this sea-dwelling survival horror.

Truth be told, the events that unfolded in John Carpenter's originalHalloweenwould never happen in today's environment. That being said,back in the '70s,a masked stalker roaming the streets of a small suburb was more than a little probable.

Michael Myers has no supernatural abilities, no magic charm (until the later sequels), and is simply just a madman in a mask. With the rise of prominent serial killers during the decade of its release, it's a wonder there wasn't a real-lifeHalloween copycat.

Speaking of serial killers, Ed Gein was the wellspring from which many horror characters were born. While many are quick to think of Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the first Ed Gein-inspired movie killer was none other than Norman Bates.

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Even with the Butcher of Plainfield out of the picture, a serial killer operating a roadside motel in the '60s would make for a pretty shocking headline. A person would have to be more than a little mad to reach Norman's level, however.

The most recent addition to this list and the genre,The Devil All The Timeis also perhaps the most gripping and narratively interesting entry on here. Instead of one linear plot, the film has a selection of storylines that are all connected in a web of suspense and horror.

With crucified soldiers, sinister Baptist ministers, and a shutterbug serial killer, the events told here are not only shocking but 100% possible especially in those dark, backwoods areas of the American South.

Masked slashers like Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Leatherface might often be considered overpowered or unrealistic, butThe Strangersputs a horror-saturated spin on the home-invasion scenario. Inspired by true events from Brian Bertino'schildhood, the plot is only slightly embellished for horrific effect.

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Break-ins and home invasions are more common than one would think, and sometimes theft isn't the only crime committed. That notion alone makes this film a little more probable. The sequel,The Strangers: Prey At Night,is admittedly quicker paced and more entertaining, but it loses out on the palpable horror of the original.

The horror genre is not something one would expect the legendary Sir Patrick Stewart to appear in, but he trades his elegance and gentleness for cold, cruel, malice inGreen Room.

Neo-Nazis are a genuine threat at even the best of times, but when a metal band gets trapped in a bar full of them after witnessing a murder, it's a no-holds-barred brawl just to make it out alive. No zombies or vampires here; just this one evil horde of terrible people that no one sane wants to tussle with.

It's always the quiet ones, isn't it? Though this is more of a stalker-focused film than a straight-up horror flick, Dylan Sprouse's performance as Lucas here is downright chilling. Let's face it; some people can't take criticism very well.

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Dismissed in which star student Lucasexacts bloody vengeance on his teacher for giving him a mere B+ relies more on suspense than anything else, but the thrills are still grounded in reality, making it all the more gripping for the audience. Who knew a nerd could play the part of the villain?

LikePsycho,the events inThe Silence of the Lambsnamely anything done by Buffalo Bill were heavily inspired by Ed Gein. However, the film gives things a more modern flex by focusing on the forensic and psychological elements of catching a killer.

As iconic as he is, Hannibal Lecter is not the reason for this film's mentioning, but rather Agent Starling's mission to catch a notoriousserial killer who skinned his victims.It's not so much the horror that stands out, but rather the thrill of the hunt and just how realistic the horrors onscreen are.

Hushis a home invasion horror that takes inspiration from Halloween and The Strangers.Although the masked killer lacks any super-strength, supernatural abilities,or invulnerability, he makes up for it in cleverness and animosity. But what really makesHushstand out is that its central victim is actually deaf, giving audiences a new kind of slasher experience.

Maddie Young, who's both deaf and mute,gives the viewera much needed new point of view for the familiar slasher film, especially on a sensory level. Hushis a very intelligent horror movie that relies on practicality as well as reality to become one of the most underrated horror movies of its decade.

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The Devil All The Time & The 9 Most Realistic Horror Movies - Screen Rant

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero