Movies Like Tethered to Keep You Up at Night

Description: A psychological horror film that blends supernatural elements with deep emotional storytelling. Its twist ending and exploration of grief and the unseen world create a similar sense of mystery and psychological depth.

Fact: The iconic line 'I see dead people' was almost cut from the film. The film's twist ending was so well-guarded that even some crew members didn't know about it until the premiere.

Description: A gothic horror film that relies on atmosphere, suspense, and a twist ending to explore themes of isolation and the supernatural. Its haunting visuals and psychological tension mirror the eerie and unsettling tone of the reference.

Fact: The film was shot entirely on location in Spain, using natural light to enhance its ghostly atmosphere. Nicole Kidman's character was originally written for a much older actress.

Description: A Spanish horror film that combines supernatural elements with a deeply emotional story about loss and motherhood. Its haunting atmosphere and slow-building tension align with the psychological and eerie tone of the reference.

Fact: The film's director, J.A. Bayona, was handpicked by Guillermo del Toro to direct. The orphanage set was built from scratch to resemble a real abandoned building.

Description: A psychological horror film that uses a monstrous entity as a metaphor for grief and mental illness. Its claustrophobic atmosphere and exploration of dark, emotional themes create a similar sense of psychological depth and unease.

Fact: The Babadook's design was inspired by early 20th-century German expressionist films. The film's popularity led to the Babadook becoming an unlikely LGBTQ+ icon.

Description: A psychological horror film that explores themes of identity, control, and societal fears through a gripping narrative. The film's unsettling atmosphere and slow-building tension mirror the psychological depth and eerie tone of the reference.

Fact: The film's iconic 'sunken place' scene was inspired by a real-life experience of sleep paralysis. It was Jordan Peele's directorial debut and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Description: A psychological horror-thriller that explores themes of guilt, punishment, and the supernatural through a cold, clinical lens. Its unsettling tone and moral dilemmas create a similar sense of dread and unease.

Fact: The film's title references the Greek myth of Iphigenia, which also inspired the plot. The actors were instructed to deliver their lines in a deliberately flat, emotionless manner to heighten the film's eerie atmosphere.

Description: A horror-thriller that explores duality, identity, and the fear of the 'other' through a gripping and surreal narrative. The film's doppelgänger theme and unsettling atmosphere resonate with the psychological and visual motifs of the reference.

Fact: The film's iconic scissors were inspired by the director's childhood fear of the weapon. The tethered characters' movements were choreographed to mimic the uncanny valley effect.

Description: A deeply unsettling horror film that delves into family trauma, grief, and the supernatural. Its slow-burn tension, shocking twists, and psychological horror elements create a similar sense of dread and unease.

Fact: The miniature models seen throughout the film were all handcrafted by the protagonist, reflecting the film's themes of control and manipulation. The film's disturbing climax was shot in one continuous take.

Description: A folk horror film that uses bright, daylight settings to create an unnerving contrast with its dark themes of isolation, cult mentality, and psychological breakdown. The film's visual style and emotional intensity align closely with the reference's tone.

Fact: The film's flower-covered maypole dance scene was inspired by real Swedish midsummer traditions. Florence Pugh's emotional performance was largely improvised during the film's most intense scenes.

Description: A horror film that uses a decaying house as a metaphor for dementia and family trauma. Its slow-burn tension and exploration of psychological horror create a similar sense of unease and emotional depth.

Fact: The film's director drew inspiration from her own grandmother's experience with dementia. The house in the film was a real, abandoned property that the crew restored for filming.