The 5 Best Body Horror Movies

The 21st century has ushered in a new era of esteemed genre filmmakers. Body horror films are now a common sight at premier film festivals worldwide. These films not only offer opportunities for social commentary but also create a vast canvas for practical effects artists to showcase their twisted skills.

The body horror genre is both versatile and creative, allowing various filmmakers to explore from the extremes to the subtlety of horror. Some films can embody both grotesque and cerebral elements simultaneously. From iconic directors like David Cronenberg and Carpenter to rising stars like Julia Ducournau, here are five of our favorite contributions to this utterly unsettling subgenre.

Crimes of the Future (David Cronenberg, 2022)

In Crimes of the Future, surgery is the new sex! David Cronenberg’s anticipated return to body horror was a highlight in Cannes 2022. This film is not a greatest hits compilation; it features Cronenberg still tackling fascinating themes about the human body. Following characters who remove and regenerate organs as futuristic performance art, it provides a disturbing look at society’s fascination with cosmetic body modification.

This surprisingly heartfelt film contains all the elements expected from a late-career Cronenberg project: blood, gore, and a standout performance from Kristen Stewart alongside Viggo Mortensen.

Titane (Julia Ducournau, 2021)

Titane elevated Julia Ducournau’s reputation after Raw. This Palme d’Or winner may be remembered for its shocking car sex aspect, but at its core, it’s a creative and unsettling body horror tale. Agathe Rousselle plays a woman whose skull is reinforced with titanium post-accident, spiraling into an imaginative serial killer narrative.

While many body horror films rely on shocking visuals, Titane excels through its thoughtfulness. It artfully explores how physical modifications affect one's identity, leaving a lasting impact.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (André Øvredal, 2016)

André Øvredal's film plays with traditional body horror tropes. It begins with a dead body and utilizes an autopsy to discover the girl's mysterious demise. This eerie film works with its omissions, spotlighting that body horror can be provocative even without excessive gore. Remarkably, the nameless dead girl intensifies the film's disturbing atmosphere.

Tusk (Kevin Smith, 2014)

Kevin Smith transformed a whimsical podcast discussion into his strongest film of the 21st century. Justin Long portrays a podcaster who visits a peculiar walrus enthusiast (Michael Parks, delivering a remarkable villain performance). The deeper motives of this recluse unravel, revealing darker intentions during the visit.

Its bold commitment to this bizarre premise and impressive creature design morph this concept into a successful body horror film, surpassing expectations.

Possessor (Brandon Cronenberg, 2020)

Brandon Cronenberg maintains the family legacy with Possessor. This science fiction horror explores an assassin who takes control of others' bodies to carry out killings. The film escalates tension as she encounters a subject resistant to her control, setting up a suspenseful climax.

Through this narrative, Possessor raises critical discussions on bodily autonomy in today’s tech-centered world. Each layer enhances the film's provocative themes, embodying the spirit of the body horror genre.

Earlier, SSP told about all Harry Potter movies: ranked from worst to best.