“Saw X”
Genre: Horror/Mystery, and Thriller
Rated: R
Streaming Platform(s): Amazon Video, Vudu, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, and Max
Critic Reviews: 81% Audience Score: 90%
An elderly man named John Kramer suffers from brain cancer and is in the last stages of life. His journey takes the audience down the path of how that decision and the actions that follow unfold. This film is a horror mystery/torture thriller unlike any other.
“Saw X” is very gory, intense, and gruesome. The film is an American horror film directed by Kevin Greuter and released in 2023. “Saw X” is the tenth movie in the Saw series, starring Tobin Bell, who plays John Kramer/Jigsaw in the Saw franchise.
Kramer flies to Mexico for a hazardous and experimental medical treatment in the hopes of finding a miracle cure, only to find that the whole thing is a con to take advantage of the most helpless. The notorious serial murderer utilizes bizarre and clever traps to confront the con artists with a renewed mission.
“Saw X” offers a captivating plot that keeps you torn between watching and looking away. It dives deep into the intense theme of revenge, making viewers question its limits. The movie is filled with jump scares, intense violence, and unexpected twists.
“The Black Phone”
Genre: Horror, Mystery, and Thriller
Rated: R
Streaming Platform(s): Prime Video, ROW8, Vudu, Apple TV, and Redbox.
Critic Reviews: 82% Audience Score: 78%
A sinister man, concealed behind an eerie white mask, lurks in the shadows and targets innocent children with a terrifying method. Operating from an all-black van, this kidnapper’s signature lies in the threatening presence of jet-black balloons, which serve as a gruesome calling card in his unsettling pursuit of abducting children.
In 2021, director Scott Derrickson unveiled “The Black Phone,” a riveting mystery horror film that left audiences on the edge of their seats. This spine-tingling cinematic experience stars the remarkable talents of Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, and Max, played by Ethan Hawke, who bring their characters to life in unforgettable ways.
The narrative centers on the chilling abduction of Finney, a young teenage boy, at the hands of a sadistic killer, known as the “Grabber,” portrayed with bone-chilling intensity by Ethan Hawke. Within the confines of the killer’s foreboding basement, a harrowing discovery awaits a cryptic phone with a sinister power—the ability to communicate with the killer’s previous victims. As the boy grapples with this horrifying connection to the past, the line between life and death blurs, immersing him in a whirlpool of suspense and terror.
The movie has a gripping story that keeps you hooked, filled with creepy scenes and plenty of jump scares. Overall, the movie offers a fantastic and captivating plot that you can’t look away from.
“Split”
Genre: Horror, Mystery, and Thriller
Rated: PG-13
Streaming Platform(s): Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, and Vudu
Critic Reviews: 78% Audience Score: 79%
Kevin (James McAvoy) lives with dissociative identity disorder (DID) and has 23 distinct personalities. The film begins when Kevin kidnaps three teenage girls and keeps them in an underground facility. As the girls make different attempts to escape, they discover the unlawful and strange nature of their abductor.
The three teenage girls that get strategically kidnapped are Casey, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, Claire, played by Haley Lu Richardson; and Marcia, played by Jessica Sula. “Split” evokes a mix of emotions, making it a compelling and thought-provoking viewing experience. It enchants viewers through its tense ambiance, the exceptional acting expertise of McAvoy, and a narrative that stimulates contemplation.
M. Night Shyamalan directed the film “Split.” This 2016 movie offers us a convoluted and intricate psychological thriller full of surprising turns, suspense, and empathy. “Split” explores the nuances of identity, mental health, and the dark sides of human psychology.
“Midsommar”
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, and Drama
Rated: R
Streaming Platform(s): Paramount Plus, Amazon, iTunes, Prime Video, and Vudu
Critic Reviews: 83% Audience Score: 63%
Midsommar revolves around a group of friends who go to a remote part of Sweden to attend a midsummer festival that only happens once every 90 years. Within a pagan cult-like setting, “Midsommar” examines spiritual meanings and issues of loss of identity, loneliness, and grief.
This 2019 film is written and directed by Ari Aster and opens with Dani (Florence Pugh) as she mourns a recent family tragedy. Dani chooses to go to Sweden with her lover Christian (Jack Reynor) and his pals in order to attend a midsummer celebration organized by a remote, rural commune. Josh is portrayed by William Jackson Harper, Mark by Will Poulter, and Pelle is played by Vilhelm Blomgren, a member of the gang who is a native of the commune.
“Midsommar” is praised for its original take on the horror subgenre, which uses brilliant daylight and a lovely festival setting to evoke a spooky and unsettling mood. “Midsommar” explores the horror that lurks behind lovely landscapes in a thought-provoking and artistically captivating way. The movie has striking visuals, an unpleasant atmosphere, and brutal scenes. The group’s frightening discovery of the true nature of the village as the festival goes on leads to a surprising and terrifying finale.
“Get Out”
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, and Drama
Rated: R
Streaming Platform(s): Paramount Plus, Amazon, iTunes, Prime Video, and Vudu
Critic Reviews: 83% Audience Score: 63%
Writer and director Jordan Peele’s 2017 film “Get Out” challenges the idea that even when you think you may know someone, you may happen not to know them at all.
Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), an African-American, is about to meet Rose’s (Allison Williams) parents for the first time as they embark on a weekend trip to her family’s estate in the countryside. The Armitage family’s yearly gathering begins with everything appearing to be normal. As the weekend goes on, Chris starts to feel uneasy as he observes unnerving behavior from the African-American staff and other visitors. Chris finds an unsettling and dangerous plot as he investigates the mystery further.
Through its suspenseful and psychologically demanding plot, “Get Out” addresses issues of racism, appropriation of culture, and social satire. The movie effectively combines horror and social critique in order to produce a thought-provoking and terrifying cinematic experience.
Isabella Guerrero is a staff writer at the Express. You can find her on X @belllaaguerrero
