The horror genre has expanded in so many ways over the past few decades, and I would argue that it’s doing a lot of heavy lifting in keeping the theatrical experience alive. Everyone always wants to flock to the cinema to get scared silly, and I get it. And while Guillermo del Toro’s long-gestating Frankenstein isn’t a traditional horror film, nor did it receive a wide release on the big screen, I believe it’s one of the best films of the year.
And the reason for that isn’t in the way it expands the conventions of horror, but in the way it captures the beautiful sadness of Gothic horror and tragedy. I think it’s also a film that’s scarier the longer you think about it. Many have tried to adapt Frankenstein, but few have ever captured the aesthetic like del Toro. But he’s not the only director to really nail the Gothic horror vibe over the years, and I believe that there are some other notable movies out there that did it just as well, if not better.
Nosferatu
This movie has crazy style
If there’s one other director out there who could successfully bring some Gothic spookiness to the big screen like del Toro, it would have to be Robert Eggers. And his version of Nosferatu is absolutely dripping with creepy, unsettling style with every single lingering shot of 1800s Transylvania. Based on the 1922 film, which is itself an unauthorized adaptation of Dracula, Egger’s Nosferatu is a hauntingly familiar tale that still feels fresh. It’s also the stuff that nightmares are made of.
The director gets a lot out of his actors, including a surprising and scene-stealing turn from Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen, who tries her best to resist the temptations of the eponymous vampire creature, Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). None of it would work without the monstrously sad presence of Skarsgård, though, who manages to be both intimidatingly frightening and strangely pitiable. Nosferatu won’t work for everyone, but I believe the same is true of Gothic horror in general.
The Haunting of Bly Manor
Mike Flanagan’s misunderstood masterpiece
Like Frankenstein, Mike Flanagan’s nine-part miniseries The Haunting of Bly Manor is a Gothic horror story that isn’t actually all that scary. And that’s one of its best qualities. Anyone who was expecting Flanagan to just make The Haunting of Hill House again was probably disappointed, but this is not that. Instead, we are treated to a deeply tragic Gothic romance with horror elements.
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In many ways, I actually think The Haunting of Bly Manor is Flanagan’s unsung masterpiece. Every single character is fully realized, complex, and tragically beautiful in their own right. But it’s that love story at the center of it between Dani (Victoria Pedretti) and Jamie (Amelia Eve) that makes everything work. Their chemistry is outstanding, and it has all the hallmarks that make Gothic romance both compelling and cruel.
Penny Dreadful
Brilliant but too brief
Penny Dreadful is one of those shows with a stellar, A-list cast that far too many people did not watch. A show that brings together all sorts of classic horror characters, including Frankenstein and his Creature, this is one of those series that covers familiar events but in an extremely creative way. I will shout this show’s praises from any proverbial rooftop I can find, though it doesn’t often work.
A big reason for that is its ending, which is not great. Showrunner John Logan claimed it had ended on his own terms, but there were rumors that Showtime was unhappy with its viewership and large budget. Given that it ended in a way that didn’t feel natural, I imagine it’s a combination of the two things. Still, it’s hard to recommend a show with an unsatisfying ending, but Penny Dreadful is worth it for the journey. It’s top-tier Gothic horror.
Sleepy Hollow
A classic for a reason
This Tim Burton film has Gothic horror in its very veins, and the acclaimed director brings an extra dose of style. Based on the short story, Sleepy Hollow tells the story of Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) as he investigates a series of brutal murders. There’s romance, supernatural elements, and a lot of darkness (both literal and metaphorical) here, as well as a memorable villain in the Headless Horseman (Christopher Walken).
I wouldn’t say I enjoyed this film as much as I did Frankenstein or some of the others on this list, but there’s no denying that it did a lot for the Gothic horror genre. Burton’s sense of style and his ability to balance dread with more lighthearted moments are unmatched. Sleepy Hollow is a fun film with some truly disturbing imagery, and you won’t regret paying a visit to its eponymous village.
Gothic horror is great at showing the darker side of humanity
What I love about Gothic horror is its ability to showcase the darker elements of what makes us human, but in a way that enhances style. The Gothic aesthetic in general can fit into nearly any genre, but when it’s mixed with horror, that’s where we get some special results. These films and shows are very much that. If you’re looking for something else, though, check out these suspense movies that will haunt you even after the credits roll.
