Ambition can drive individuals to achieve great heights, but when it spirals out of control, it can lead to horrifying consequences. This curated list of 10 horror films delves into the theme of ambition, showcasing how the pursuit of power, success, or recognition can lead to madness, supernatural encounters, and even murder. Each film offers a unique take on how ambition can corrupt, providing a thrilling and thought-provoking experience for horror enthusiasts and those intrigued by the darker aspects of human nature.

The Devil's Advocate (1997)
Description: A young lawyer's ambition to succeed in his career leads him to work for a mysterious law firm, only to discover his boss is the Devil himself. This film explores the moral compromises one makes for success.
Fact: Al Pacino's character was originally written for Robert De Niro, but Pacino's performance was so compelling that the role was tailored to him.


The Skeleton Key (2005)
Description: A hospice nurse's ambition to help her patients leads her to a mysterious plantation house where she uncovers dark secrets involving hoodoo magic, showing how the desire to heal can turn into a nightmare.
Fact: The film was shot in various locations in Louisiana, including a real plantation house.


The House of the Devil (2009)
Description: A college student's ambition to earn money for an apartment leads her to babysit at a secluded house, where she becomes the target of a satanic ritual, showcasing how financial ambition can lead to dire consequences.
Fact: The film was shot on 16mm film to give it an authentic 1980s feel.


The Babadook (2014)
Description: A widow's ambition to protect her son from a sinister children's book character leads her into a psychological horror, where her grief and ambition to be a good mother manifest as a terrifying entity.
Fact: The film was initially banned in some countries due to its intense themes.


The Invitation (2015)
Description: A man attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife, where her new partner's ambition to start a cult-like group leads to a night of paranoia and terror, exploring themes of control and manipulation.
Fact: The film was shot in just 20 days, and much of the tension was built through real-time, continuous shots.


The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Description: Two coroners' ambition to uncover the truth behind a mysterious corpse leads them into a supernatural horror, where ambition to solve a mystery can lead to one's own undoing.
Fact: The film was shot in a real morgue, adding to its eerie atmosphere.


The Witch (2015)
Description: Set in 1630s New England, this film follows a family banished from their Puritan plantation. Their ambition to live a pure life leads them into the clutches of witchcraft and evil, showcasing how the desire for moral superiority can lead to downfall.
Fact: The film was shot in a remote location in Canada, and the dialogue was based on historical research to ensure authenticity.


The Witch in the Window (2018)
Description: A father's ambition to flip a house leads him and his son into a haunted property, where they must confront the dark history of the place, exploring how ambition can blind one to danger.
Fact: The film was shot in just 12 days, with much of the crew doubling as actors.


The Pact (2012)
Description: A woman's ambition to uncover the truth about her sister's disappearance leads her into a haunted house, where she discovers a dark family secret, exploring how the quest for truth can be as terrifying as the unknown.
Fact: The film was initially released as a web series before being compiled into a feature film.


The Neon Demon (2016)
Description: In this visually stunning film, a young aspiring model's ambition to become the next big thing in the fashion industry leads her into a world of cannibalistic beauty and supernatural horror, exploring the dark side of vanity and ambition.
Fact: The film features a scene where a real dead coyote was used, causing some controversy.
