Over the years, Blumhouse has proved itself to be one of modern horror’s main contributors. Although they are known for some great mainstream horror films, there’s also some hidden gems produced by Blumhouse. Whether they end up as box office hits or smaller, more obscure pieces of horror cinema, the films of Blumhouse are rarely afraid to give viewers something new.
The Invisible Man
A modern twist on a classic story, this year's The Invisible Man follows Elizabeth Moss as Cecelia, a woman who escapes an abusive relationship with a brilliant but monstrous scientist. Things go awry when Cecelia's ex finds a way to continue torturing her without anyone seeing him.
One of the most unique aspects of this reboot is that it's told from the woman's point of view. While most other incarnations of this classic Universal monster feature the title character as the lead protagonist, this film isn't about the invisible man, but rather it is a timely tale about how survivors of abuse should be believed.
The Lords of Salem
Rob Zombie may be one of the most divisive names in horror. Love him or hate him, it's difficult not to acknowledge the ambition of the rock-star turned director, especially with his Blumhouse produced occult shocker The Lords of Salem.
This film centers around modern day Salem and a coven of witches that hopes to brainwash the women of the infamous town into following them by way of a mysterious LP record. Stuffed with surreal imagery and provocative themes, Zombie abandons his usual, excessively gory approach, and instead he creates an underrated, psychological horror film that plays with viewers' mind while also serving as a perfect homage to the satanic panic movies of the 1960s and 70s.
Bloodline
Criminally overlooked, this 2019 horror/thriller in the vein of Dexter is so twisty and wild that it's shocking that it hasn't reached cult status yet. The film stars Seann William Scott, who played American Pie's Stifler, in a role that fans have never seen him in before. Bloodline follows a high school guidance counselor whose foray into fatherhood pushes him into becoming a vigilante serial killer.
Scott handles this meaty role with such finesse and nuance that it's surprising to see that he hasn't had more serious roles. Besides being a must-see for the lead performance, Bloodline is unpredictable, grisly and darkly humorous, making it one of Blumhouse's biggest achievements, regardless of how many people saw it.
Get Out
Originally a successful comedic talent, Jordan Peele proved himself to be a horror master when he unleashed this politically charged film. Get Out feels a bit like The Stepford Wives, but it tackles racism rather than sexism. The film tells the story of a black man who goes to meet his white girlfriend's parents, and he feels that their ignorant and off behavior may be tied to something more sinister.
Extremely relevant for our tumultuous times, Get Out brilliantly uses a horror set up to depict the unchecked bigotry that occurs in this country every day. The film was a box office smash, becoming one of Blumhouse's highest grossing films. It also won over critics, being one of the few horror films to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and winning Best Original Screenplay.
Creep 2
This found footage sequel to the micro-budget Creep builds upon its predecessor in all the ways a great sequel should. The main idea of the original Creep was figuring out the true identity and intentions of a disturbed man who hires videographers to film his life. In Creep 2, it's known that this man is a murderous psychopath who takes the identities of the people he hires, so the only thing left for the sequel to do is build upon this world and further develop the sinister character.
Creep 2 ups the ante in every way, from being more violent to having the new videographer be fully aware of who this man is and almost accepting of his murderous ways in order to create quality content. Another great addition is that this film features a terrific heroine who holds her own against the psycho.
Cam
A sci-fi, horror film for the ages, Cam comments on technology and sex work while still serving as an effective freak-out. The movie is about a very successful cam girl who finds that she is locked out of her account when her doppleganger starts performing in her place. Not a stranger to satirical and metaphorical horror films, Blumhouse really hits a homerun with this mystery that keeps getting weirder and weirder.
The lead performance is excellent, with Madeline Brewer providing the depth her character needs in order to feel fully fleshed out and relatable. This movie also depicts sex work in a human and realistic way, instead of being exploitative, edgy or judgemental.
Oculus
Mike Flanagan's first studio movie, Oculus, impressed horror buffs who wanted more from the genre than what was being offered. The film portrays two siblings who have been tormented by a possessed mirror for generations. The synopsis may sound cartoonish, but the film handles itself seriously, and it digs deep into the psyche of a family who has been infiltrated by the supernatural.
The film features a dual timeline, constantly switching from the past to the present. This makes the narrative more compelling by showing audiences how diabolical these spirits have been for years. Oculus was Flanagan's breakout movie, which means that Blumhouse helped bring one of modern horrors biggest names out of obscurity.
Arguably one of the greatest horror remakes ever made, The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a meta reboot of a forgotten 70s slasher that goes out of it's way to defy the genre's expectations. Taking place in a world where the original film exists, this movie features a copycat serial killer, who terrorizes teens in the small town of Texarkana after an annual showing of the film.
More akin to Scream than the original film it's based around, this movie acts an unpredictable whodunit, a brutal gore-fest and a satire of the slasher genre itself. Way too stylish for its own good, this film is directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, whose film Me, Earl and the Dying Girl is a perfect representation of the aesthetic this horror remake surprisingly contains.