It's the goal of anything in the genre of horror to scare the audience, to inflict and inspire fear within the viewer's hearts. Of course, there are only so many films that accomplish this, so few that have become great horror films or shows, and a few of these reside on the streaming juggernaut, Netflix.
Over the years, Netflix had amassed a plethora of scary tales, from ghost stories to monstrous s. While a few have managed to inspire true fear in audiences, others have failed. Here are five Netflix originals that were absolutely terrifying and five that weren't.
Terrifying: The Babysitter
Dying is easy but comedy is hard and this goes without saying for most horror movies. Pulling off a horror movie on its own is quite the show of strength but to create a horror film that manages to carry dark comedy and suspense is even more impressive.
The Babysitter, a horror-comedy that follows a boy as he tries to take down a devil-worshipping babysitter and her friends is the right blend of both elements. With the right amount of gore, terror, and humor, this original manages to work.
Not: Little Evil
Parodies or comedy in horror films can be great to create new stories and alleviate the overall terror while keeping the horror fresh and constant and yet, there are moments or rather films that can go a little too far sometimes, with either the horror or comedy overtaking the other.
Little Evil, a horror-comedy/parody, had the potential to keep the scares and suspense going along with the comedy. However, the film somehow managed to fall flat, the terror being overtaken by the comedy, breaking the film apart.
Terrifying: Hush
For one reason or another, recent horror films have begun to focus on utilizing strengths in horror flicks like sight and sound and turning them into weaknesses as a way to explore new horror ideas and routes.
Hush asks the question what if a serial killer stalked a person who couldn't hear? The answer: a tense hour and a half thrill ride that leaves the audience screaming at the tv for the main character to turn, despite knowing full well they can't hear, adding to the horror that is Hush.
Not: Malevolent
Since the first ghost busting team graced pop culture all those years ago, many studios and different forms of media have tried their best to create something just as good or even better, trading comedy for horror and allowing a true ghost hunting horror film to shine.
Unfortunately, Malevolent is not that kind of film. Gruesome, bizarre, and somewhat of a mess, the movie struggles to deliver worthwhile scares and make a true horror film that can work, let alone ending on a cliched note.
Terrifying: Apostle
Why is it that cults, real or fictional, can be so scary? An odd question, for sure, but cults are among some the most overused parts of horror flicks, usually working in the shadowy's to achieve some dark goal and trying in vain to convert the protagonist to their side.
2018's Apostle follows a man who tries to save his sister from a cult. What sounds like a typical story turns into quite the horror tale, packed to the brim with terror, suspense and an ending most won't see coming.
Not: Eli
Creepy children seem to be a seller for horror flicks, ever since the creation of The Omen. Something about demon-possessed or demonically influenced kids always seemed to strike a chord with many horror fans for one reason or another and typically, these movies can work, done properly.
Unfortunately, Eli never seemed to achieve the same kind of feel. Although it was full of great performances, Eli simply couldn't outdo or escape the shadow of its predecessors, relying on cheap gimmicks or cliches to try and make the movie work.
Terrifying: Cargo
In this age of cinema, new ideas, especially from worn-out genres are hard to come by, The Walking Dead, original zombie films and shows have become difficult to pull off.
That's where Cargo comes in, a zombie-survival tale that follows a man as he struggles to find a home for his baby before he succumbs to a virus in 48 hours. Full of suspense, terror, and emotional beats, Cargo managed to bring the dead back to life in fitting fashion.
Not: Velvet Buzzsaw
Now, the concept of paintings coming to life and killing people sounds like an amazing horror film. Combine that with an even more amazing cast, with actors like Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo, Velvet Buzzsaw should have worked.
Instead, while the film has a few scary moments, it fails to live up to its true potential, instead suffering from satirical commentary, strange plot details, unlikeable characters, and bizarre imagery in place of great scares that could have made this supernatural art film click.
Terrifying: Gerald's Game
With the name of Stephen King slapped on Gerald's Game. While the king of horror has managed to earn some iconic adaptations, others have flopped terribly.
Yet, Gerald's Game manages to rise above the rest and become a truly horrifying film. Filled with suspense, great acting, a terrific yet simple premise, some truly disturbing and scary scenes that will make anyone gasp, Geralds Game is a Netflix horror film unlike any other.
Not: Open House
There's always one title no film wants to have, a goal it never seeks to achieve. The title or accomplishment of being the worst there is but for horror, this title is awarded far too many times, with Netflix's Open House being one of many winners.
Considered by many to be one of the worst Netflix horror flicks out there, Open House suffers from multiple issues. From a confusing story to weak performances and lame scares, Open House s the ranks of many in being one of the worst.