top 10 horror movies 2023 — The killer pilgrim in Thanksgiving

2023 was a solid year for horror. It’s a promising sign that most of the best 2023 horror movies were original works. The classic franchises are fun to revisit, but an overreliance on them stifles innovation and discourages creativity. Let’s hope that 2024 will bring more inventiveness to the genre. Here are the top 10 horror movies of 2023. Several of them have previously been reviewed.

A brief overview Of The Top ten

-Six received theatrical releases, while four were released directly on streaming platforms.

-Four are sequels or prequels.

-Five (a surprisingly high number) feature a human villain with no supernatural abilities.

-Three have sci-fi elements.

-Three are slasher movies.

Anyway, without further delay…

The Top 10 Horror Movies of 2023

10. No One Will Save You

No One One Will Save You adds to the trend of recent horror movies that keep spoken dialogue to a minimum. If you liked A Quiet Place and/or Hush, you’ll want to check this out.

Brynn (Kaitlin Dever) is a loner and social pariah who lives in an isolated farmhouse. Her moribund life receives a jolt of paranormal terror when the farmhouse is infiltrated by aliens.

After a violent battle, Brynn flees to the nearest town, only to discover that many of the folks there have been possessed by the aliens. The townspeople aren’t much help anyway; they blame Brynn for a tragic accident from her childhood.

Kaitlin Dever gives a strong performance despite having almost no lines. A talented actor can make a performance work with body language alone, and that’s what Dever does here.

9. M3gan

Despite its watered-down PG-13 content, M3gan is a fun addition to the killer doll subgenre. Full review here.

8. Hellhouse LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor

This was one of the biggest surprises of the year. There’s no way that the fourth installment of an obscure low budget found footage series should be this effective. If we were judging movies solely by creepiness, Hell House LLC Origins would be #1 on this list.

Margot (Bridget Rose Perotta), an internet true crime investigator, is fascinated by The Carmichael Manor. The secluded mansion was the site of an infamous murder spree in the 1980s. Rumor has it that ghosts now haunt the grounds. Margot, accompanied by her girlfriend and brother, decides to stay overnight at the manor. She hopes to uncover new evidence about the murders and alleged paranormal activity.

The trio is disturbed by strange noises, shadowy figures, and creepy lifelike statues. That’s just the beginning of an evening that escalates into panic and terror. Director Stephen Cognetti is mercilessly effective at subtly building an atmosphere of dread. Don’t watch this movie with the lights off!

7. Scream VI

Scream VI keeps the franchise fresh by transplanting Ghostface to a brand new location – New York City. Full review here.

6. Evil Dead Rise

Evil Dead Rise is a solid addition to the series, although fans will miss the franchise’s signature sense of humor. Full review here.

5. Totally Killer

Totally Killer is a fun Halloween-themed time travel horror comedy. Full review here.

4. Thanksgiving

Plymouth, Massachusetts is reeling a year after a deadly Black Friday riot at a local superstore. Most of the town’s residents want to put the tragic incident behind them. Unfortunately, somebody isn’t ready to move on just yet.

A mysterious man in a pilgrim costume is stalking the town and anonymously posting his violent exploits on social media. He targets anyone who was even tangentially involved with the riot, including Jessica (Nell Verlaque), the teen daughter of the store’s owner. Most of the pilgrim’s victims are killed outright, while others are forcibly invited to a terrifying Thanksgiving dinner they will never forget.

Director Eli Roth’s tribute to classic ’80s slasher films is the first high-quality Thanksgiving horror movie since, well, ever. Verlaque gives a game performance as the movie’s final girl. She’s trapped in a love triangle between two guys who are both strong candidates to be the killer. Can she figure out the pilgrim’s identity before it’s too late?

3. Saw X

Saw X was the biggest sequel surprise of the year. It blows away most of its predecessors and features a terrific performance from Tobin Bell. Full review here.

2. Influencer

Influencer is a brutal exploration of the darker aspects of social media. It’s an intriguing thriller with a mysterious and seductive villain. Full review here.

And the Top Horror Movie of 2023…

1. Talk to Me

Talk to Me is an Australian movie about a disembodied hand that can be used to communicate with the dead. It earned acclaim at film festivals and became the surprise horror hit of the summer.

Despite its silly premise, Talk to Me is an effective and inventive gore fest that features a standout performance by Sophie Wilde. She plays Mia, a rambunctious teen who is hoping to use the hand to communicate with her dead mother. Unfortunately, Mia and her friends are too naive to understand the dark forces that they are unleashing.

Talk to Me offers entertaining horror hijinks while exploring dark themes like grief and suicide. Its ability to effectively balance comedic moments with serious subject matters puts it at the top of our list of best 2023 horror movies.