American horror thriller film “The Offering” was released in the United States on January 13, 2023. It received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the film’s atmosphere and scares, while others criticized its predictability. Directed by Oliver Park and written by Hank Hoffman. Staring Nick Blood, Emily Wiseman, Paul Kaye, Allan Corduner, and Daniel Ben Zenou. The story follows a young couple who return to the husband’s family home in London after he is estranged from his father. The couple soon discover that the house is haunted by a malevolent spirit. Simply put, this is a story about a Jewish funeral home encountering a demon. If you like mysterious premise and gripping storylines, here’s a list of horror movies similar to “The Offering.” You can watch these movies on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more.
1. The Possession (2012)
In 2012, the horror movie “The Possession” was released, directed by Ole Bornedal. The film follows a young girl named Em (played by Natasha Calis) who becomes possessed by an ancient Jewish demon after purchasing a mysterious box at a yard sale. At its core, “The Possession” is a story about a family struggling to stay together in the face of an unimaginable horror. Jeffrey Dean Morgan gives a strong performance as the father trying to save his daughter from the demon’s clutches, and the relationship between him and his ex-wife, played by Kyra Sedgwick, adds an extra layer of emotional depth to the film.
The movie also explores themes of religion and faith, as the family turns to a Hasidic rabbi to help them defeat the demon. While some may find the portrayal of Jewish mysticism and folklore to be somewhat stereotypical or sensationalized, it adds a unique flavor to the film that sets it apart from other possession movies.
2. The Vatican Tapes (2015)
In 2010, the horror movie “The Last Exorcism” was released, directed by Daniel Stamm. The film follows an evangelical minister named Cotton Marcus as he performs what he believes will be his final exorcism, which takes a terrifying turn when he realizes that the girl he is trying to help may actually be possessed by demonic forces.
Stamm does a fantastic job of building tension throughout the movie, using a found-footage style of filmmaking to bring the audience closer to the action and make them feel like they are experiencing the horrors alongside the characters. “The Last Exorcism” is a story about faith and belief in the face of the unknown. Cotton Marcus, played superbly by Patrick Fabian, is a complex character who struggles with his own doubts and insecurities as he tries to reconcile his faith with what he is seeing before him. The film raises questions about the nature of evil, the power of belief, and the dangers of blindly following religious dogma.
3. Sinister (2012)
The film follows Ellison as he moves his family into a new home to investigate a series of unsolved murders for his latest book. As he delves deeper into the case, Ellison discovers a box of old home movies in the attic that depict gruesome murders, and he realizes that his family may be in danger from a malevolent supernatural force.
Directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke as true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt. The film also features Juliet Rylance as Ellison’s wife, Tracy, and James Ransone as Deputy So-and-So, a local law enforcement officer. “Sinister” is a masterclass in suspense and tension-building. Derrickson’s direction creates a haunting and foreboding atmosphere, and the film’s use of sound and music is particularly effective in creating a sense of dread.
4. Lights Out (2016)
“Lights Out” is a horror movie released in 2016, directed by David F. Sandberg. The story revolves around a family haunted by a malevolent spirit that can only appear and attack in the dark.
The movie starts with a scene where Paul, the father of the family, encounters the spirit and is killed. His son, Martin, begins experiencing the same haunting and seeks help from his sister, Rebecca, who had left home and moved out due to her own traumatic experiences with the spirit. Rebecca and Martin try to uncover the truth behind the spirit and its intention, which leads them to discover a tragic backstory of their mother, Sophie, who was once committed to a psychiatric hospital. The spirit was revealed to be a manifestation of Sophie’s depression and grief, and she had been keeping it at bay with medication.
The theme of mental illness adds depth to the horror elements and gives the story a poignant ending. David F. Sandberg’s direction is commendable as he manages to tell a compelling story within a tight budget.
5. Mama (2013)
“Mama” is a 2013 supernatural horror film directed by Andres Muschietti and produced by Guillermo del Toro. The film stars Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as a couple who take in two young girls who were abandoned in the woods for five years. The girls are accompanied by a mysterious and malevolent entity they refer to as “Mama.”
As the couple tries to assimilate the girls into their family, they discover that Mama is more than just a figment of the girls’ imagination. The entity is a vengeful spirit who is determined to keep the girls all to herself, and she will stop at nothing to do so.
One of the standout aspects of “Mama” is its exploration of the themes of motherhood and the lengths that a mother will go to protect her children. The film also delves into the nature of grief and trauma and how they can manifest in unexpected and terrifying ways.
6. The Nightshifter (2018)
“The Nightshifter” is a Brazilian horror movie released in 2018, directed by Dennison Ramalho. The story centers around Stênio, a morgue worker who can communicate with the dead and uses his gift to make money by passing on insider trading information.
Stênio’s life takes a dark turn when he accidentally reveals the secrets of a powerful criminal organization, resulting in the death of his wife and son. Grief-stricken and traumatized, Stênio uses his abilities to try to bring back his family, but unknowingly unleashes vengeful spirits that haunt him and his surviving daughter. The movie’s pacing is slow but deliberate, building up tension and dread as Stênio’s actions bring about increasingly horrific consequences.
7. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Scary movie “The Autopsy of Jane Doe” is released in 2016, directed by André Øvredal. The film revolves around the autopsy of an unknown woman, who was found buried in the basement of a house where multiple murders have occurred. The father-son duo of coroners, Tommy and Austin Tilden, are tasked with conducting the autopsy. As they begin their examination, the strange and unexplainable phenomena start to occur within the morgue, making it clear that the unidentified woman is not an ordinary corpse.
The movie excels in creating a claustrophobic atmosphere, using dim lighting and tight spaces to evoke a sense of dread and unease. The tension builds up steadily, and as the autopsy progresses, the mystery surrounding Jane Doe deepens.
8. Dead Silence (2007)
“Dead Silence” is a 2007 supernatural horror film directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell. The film stars Ryan Kwanten as Jamie Ashen, a man who returns to his childhood home after his wife receives a creepy ventriloquist doll in the mail. The doll is linked to a local legend about a vengeful ghost named Mary Shaw, who was a ventriloquist in life.
As Jamie investigates the origins of the doll and the legend of Mary Shaw, he discovers that there may be more to the story than he initially thought. As the body count rises and Jamie’s own sanity comes into question, he must confront the truth about Mary Shaw and put an end to her reign of terror.
One of the standout aspects of “Dead Silence” is its exploration of the power of storytelling and the ways in which legends and myths can take on a life of their own. The film also delves into the concept of revenge and how it can consumea person and lead them down a path of darkness.
9. The Vigil (2019)
Scary movie “The Vigil” is directed by Keith Thomas. The story follows Yakov Ronen, a young man who agreed to take on the job of being a shomer – a religious watcher – for an elderly man’s body as it lies in his home overnight. As the night progresses, Yakov begins to experience strange and terrifying visions.
The movie is set in a tight space, mostly taking place in the confined quarters of the darkened house. The atmosphere is effectively creepy, with the use of shadows and the flickering lights adding to the sense of unease. The pacing is slow but purposeful, building up the tension gradually before descending into pure horror. Keith Thomas successfully blends Jewish folklore and supernatural elements, creating a unique and intriguing narrative. The inclusion of Jewish customs and religious beliefs adds depth to the story and sets it apart from typical Western horror tropes.
10. The Possession of Hannah Grace (2018)
The film’s direction by Van Rooijen is impeccable and the horror elements are well-crafted. The movie’s atmosphere is incredibly suspenseful and the jump scares are effective. The gritty and gruesome visuals make for a genuinely disturbing horror experience. The movie follows the story of Megan Reed, a former police officer, who takes up a job as an overnight morgue worker after battling with addiction. Her first night on the job takes a frightening turn when a corpse arrives with a dark and demonic presence.
It stands out with its unique setting in a morgue and the psychological effects it has on the protagonist. If you’re a fan of supernatural horror, this film is a must-watch.