10 Horror Films Exploring Antisemitism

Description: While not a horror film per se, it uses dramatic elements to portray the psychological horror of a Holocaust survivor, reflecting on the lasting impact of antisemitism.

Fact: The film was one of the first to address the Holocaust in American cinema and was nominated for two Academy Awards.

Description: Although more of a time-travel drama, this film uses horror elements to depict the Holocaust, focusing on the antisemitic atrocities committed during World War II. It's a poignant reminder of the real horrors faced by Jews.

Fact: The film is based on a novel by Jane Yolen and stars Kirsten Dunst in one of her early roles.

Description: This psychological drama with horror elements explores the life of a Jewish man who becomes a neo-Nazi. It delves into internalized antisemitism and the psychological horror of self-hatred.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life story of Dan Burros, a Jewish American who became a member of the American Nazi Party.

Description: Another drama with horror elements, this film tells the story of a Polish-Jewish pianist during the Holocaust, showcasing the terror and survival against antisemitic persecution.

Fact: Directed by Roman Polanski, who himself survived the Holocaust, the film won three Academy Awards, including Best Director.

Description: While not explicitly about antisemitism, this film deals with a Jewish artifact, a dybbuk box, which unleashes a malevolent spirit. The narrative touches on Jewish folklore and the consequences of ignoring cultural heritage, reflecting on the broader theme of antisemitism through its supernatural elements.

Fact: The film is loosely based on a real-life story of a dybbuk box, which was auctioned on eBay with a warning not to open it.

Description: This film, while more of a drama, uses the innocence of children to highlight the horror of the Holocaust, focusing on the friendship between a German boy and a Jewish boy in a concentration camp.

Fact: The film is based on the novel by John Boyne and has been both praised for its emotional impact and criticized for historical inaccuracies.

Description: This Israeli horror film brings to life the legend of the Golem, a creature created from clay to protect a Jewish community from persecution. The film uses the myth to explore themes of antisemitism and the lengths to which a community will go to defend itself.

Fact: The film was directed by Doron Paz and Yoav Paz, who are known for their work in horror and thriller genres. It was also the first Israeli horror film to receive a wide release in the U.S.

Description: This film, while not strictly horror, uses the tension and fear of the Holocaust to depict the story of Jewish prisoners forced to forge money for the Nazis, highlighting the psychological horror of their situation.

Fact: It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and is based on the true story of Operation Bernhard.

Description: This film explores the concept of dybbuk possession, a Jewish mystical belief, where a spirit possesses a young woman. It subtly addresses themes of antisemitism through the lens of supernatural horror, showing how historical persecution can haunt the present.

Fact: The film was directed by David S. Goyer, known for his work on the "Blade" trilogy and "The Dark Knight" series.

Description: This documentary uses horror-like storytelling to recount the experiences of five Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust, highlighting the terror of antisemitism in its most raw form.

Fact: The film was produced by Steven Spielberg's Shoah Foundation and won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.