10 Indie Horror Films That May Have Slipped Your Radar
Mainstream horror isn’t inherently bad or simply made for general consumers rather than horror heads. It more or so comes down to a lot of (not all) modern mainstream horror isn’t always boundary pushing or as heavy with practical effects. Thus pushing people to pursue indie horror films more than ever. Whether they be throwbacks or newer releases that remind folks to branch out beyond the heavily pushed horror films.
Despite the difficulties of not being backed by major studios, indie horror continues to persist and indie filmmakers haven’t given up. Nor should they because we need more individual voices in the horror scene. Not to mention it’s nice seeing folks still wanting to use primarily or solely practical effects in their films, especially with the rise of gen AI.
The following films range in terms of tone and subgenre, but what they all have in common is that they’re all indie horror films that might have slipped your radar. Please be sure to check trigger warnings for most of these films because there’s certainly upsetting or triggering scenes in some of them.
BODY BAGS (1993)
Bringing together John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper probably sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? BODY BAGS is a horror comedy anthology that features a bonkers coroner, and segments that focus on a woman working at a gas station, a man who receives a hair transplant that goes wrong, and a baseball player whose eye transplant donor was a serial killer. There are plenty of comedic beats, bizarre sequences, and there’s a segment for everyone. It’s a horror that’s easy to watch because there’s no connective tissue between the segments. And that makes for a simple viewing.
CELLULOID NIGHTMARES (1999)
It’s best not to walk into this one lightly if you’re easily disturbed or bothered by underground extreme horror. CELLULOID NIGHTMARES is a Japanese extreme horror mockumentary about a reporter who is looking into what happened to a missing pornstar. If you can’t handle taboo subject matter, disturbing scenes, or anything that rattles the cage a little, this may not be the watch for you. But if you’re someone who likes to seek out extreme horror, underground films, and enjoys international horror then you may enjoy this one. Avoid any spoilers if you can because it may sour your experience if you don’t.
THE SEASONING HOUSE (2012)
Some horror films aren’t easy to turn on and watch at a random point during your day. THE SEASONING HOUSE is a British extreme horror film that follows a young deaf girl who takes her revenge against the men who have been sex trafficking girls. There’s no humor in this film, it’s very bleak in its atmosphere, and there are moments that may prove to be triggering for some. Though, when the main character takes her revenge, you’ll be cheering her on to break free and also take out a bunch of awful men.
RAZE (2013)
“Eat the rich” horror films don’t always have a happy ending. RAZE follows a group of women who are forced to participate in deadly fights in order to entertain rich people. The fights aren’t to be dismissed—they are bloody and extremely brutal. Zoë Bell brings such intensity as the lead and with her being a stunt woman, she understands physicality and brings that to the table. Women being treated as easily disposable and being exploited are certainly themes in this film. And you’ll be hoping someone is able to get their revenge before the end credits.
THE DEVIL’S CANDY (2015)
It’s not the first time that metal music and horror have collided. THE DEVIL’S CANDY follows a struggling artist who is trying to support his family, but becomes possessed by unseen forces in the process. The feeling that this film will elicit is unease, especially as things amp up to the climax. And the metal soundtrack adds something so unique to the film itself. If you’re a metalhead or at least appreciate what that might add to a horror film, you’ll potentially enjoy your experience watching this one.
CAPTURE KILL RELEASE (2016)
A couple who likes to kill isn’t a new idea, but this one takes a few turns that one may not expect. CAPTURE KILL RELEASE is a found footage horror film that follows a married couple which consists of a wife who wants to kill, and a husband who is struggling to go along with that. The conflict is woven quite well throughout the film. Instead of both of them being experts immediately, they’re messy, and their relationship is deeply affected by the path they go down. And the ending isn’t what folks may be expecting after everything that unfolds.
THE MONSTER PROJECT (2017)
Seeking out monsters to make a documentary is an incredibly bad idea that these characters absolutely go with. THE MONSTER PROJECT is a found footage horror film that follows a group of filmmakers who realize way too late that the monsters they’re interviewing are actually what they say they are. Everything goes wrong with this friend group because they were never prepared for this type of reality. And what proceeds is a chaotic chain of events, complete with decent practical effects. It’s not going to be the best found footage film you’ve ever watched, but it’s worth at least one watch.
VILLAINS (2019)
Nothing good happens when people break into a random married couple’s home, only to discover they’re a bit unhinged. VILLAINS follows a couple whose criminal attempts are horribly planned, and they stumble upon a home where everything is much more than it seems. Maika Monroe and Bill Skarsgård have great chemistry, both Kyra Sedgwick and Jeffrey Donovan come across as a believably deranged married couple, and the film as a whole is weird…in a good way! It’s very much a dark comedy horror film, so expect some laughs that make you question yourself a tad.
THE SERPENT’S SKIN (2025)
Queer horror for the win, everyone! THE SERPENT’S SKIN follows a trans woman who flees her hometown for a new life in the city and meets a tattoo artist who shares supernatural abilities like her. The film is very indie and is also another film from Alice Maio Mackay, who has a very particular style. If you’re looking for something that takes a lot of inspiration from Buffy The Vampire Slayer (TV series), for example, you’ll find something to enjoy in this one. There’s a certain charm to this film that can be attributed to its aesthetics, the acting, and Mackay’s directing.
MEAT KILLS (2025)
Harkening back to 2000s extreme horror shouldn’t be immediately eye roll inducing to some folks. MEAT KILLS is a Dutch extreme horror film that follows animal activists who go up against a pig farmer, who is very adamant about protecting his family. The film oozes gritty 2000s horror, has a flavor similar to New French Extremity films, and is unapologetically gnarly. Its social commentary isn’t hidden, and it’s very obvious that we’re meant to think about the horrors of the meat industry. If you want a horror film where there are plenty of laughs to be had, then you probably shouldn’t turn this one on.
