Film has always been a major inspiration for me as a writer and I love horror films that don't rely on shock tactics.
The Haunting (1963) The ultimate haunted house movie. Even the terrible 1999 remake can’t spoil the memory of this classic chiller – in fact it only emphasises the fact that sometimes less is more where horror is concerned.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968) There’s plenty of creepy goings on, but the baby itself remains unseen. Director of photography, William Fraker, apparently questioned director Roman Polanski on the point. “You mean we’ve got a picture that’s two hours long, its called Rosemary’s Baby and you never see the baby?” he demanded. “Exactly,” replied Polanski. (Reel Terror, p 121)
Se7en (1995) Slightly different from some of my other top five in that you do see plenty that is horrifying. But what is unusual, and sometimes forgotten because the impact of the scenes is so great, is that we only see the aftermath of horrific acts, not the acts themselves.
Cat People (1942) King of implied horror Jacques Tourneur uses shadows and sound to stunning effect
The Blair Witch Project (1999) Possibly more down to budget constraints than artistry, this movie is all about anticipation rather than delivery. It remains one of the most profitable films of all time, making $248 million worldwide.
The Blair Witch Project (1999) Possibly more down to budget constraints than artistry, this movie is all about anticipation rather than delivery. It remains one of the most profitable films of all time, making $248 million worldwide.