Movies and Shows Like Calm Before for Suspense Lovers

Description: A psychological horror film that combines supernatural elements with deep emotional themes, featuring a famous twist ending that recontextualizes the entire story.

Fact: The iconic line "I see dead people" was improvised by the child actor. The film's twist ending was so well-guarded that even some crew members didn't know it until filming.

Description: A gothic horror film that masterfully builds tension through atmosphere and psychological elements, with a focus on isolation and a haunting twist ending.

Fact: The film was shot almost entirely on a single location in Spain. All the ghostly effects were achieved through practical means without CGI.

Description: A claustrophobic horror film that combines psychological terror with physical threats, exploring themes of grief, survival, and the darkness within human nature.

Fact: The cave scenes were filmed in actual underground locations, adding to the actors' genuine discomfort. The original UK ending was much darker than the version released in other countries.

Description: A Spanish horror film that blends supernatural scares with deep emotional storytelling, focusing on themes of motherhood, loss, and the haunting power of memory.

Fact: The film's director was a first-time filmmaker who had previously worked in visual effects. The creepy children's game featured in the film was based on a real Spanish children's game.

Description: A surreal sci-fi horror film that explores alienation and humanity through abstract visuals and minimal dialogue, creating an eerie, otherworldly atmosphere.

Fact: Many of the scenes featuring men were unscripted, with real people approached on the street who didn't know they were being filmed. The film's score was created using unconventional instruments like a detuned piano.

Description: A psychological horror film that uses a monster metaphor to explore grief, depression, and the struggles of single parenthood, with a haunting and claustrophobic atmosphere.

Fact: The Babadook character was created using a combination of practical effects and stop-motion animation. The film's popularity led to the Babadook becoming an unlikely LGBTQ+ icon.

Description: A chilling psychological thriller with a clinical, detached style that explores themes of guilt, punishment, and moral dilemmas, creating an atmosphere of creeping dread.

Fact: The film's title references the Greek myth of Iphigenia, which the plot loosely follows. All the surgical scenes were supervised by real doctors to ensure accuracy.

Description: A deeply unsettling horror film that explores themes of grief, family trauma, and supernatural forces, with a slow-building tension and shocking climax.

Fact: The miniature models seen throughout the film were all handcrafted by the protagonist actress. The film's disturbing imagery was inspired by real-life cult practices.

Description: A psychological horror film that delves into isolation and madness, featuring surreal and atmospheric visuals that create a sense of unease and tension.

Fact: The film was shot in black and white to enhance its eerie and timeless quality. The script was inspired by real-life lighthouse keeper stories and Edgar Allan Poe's unfinished novel.

Description: A folk horror film that uses bright, daylight settings to create an unsettling contrast with its dark themes of cults, rituals, and psychological breakdown.

Fact: The film's flower-covered maypole scene was inspired by real Swedish midsummer traditions. The entire movie was shot in Hungary, despite its Swedish setting.