If you enjoyed the unsettling psychological thriller 'Spoonful of Sugar' (2022), you're likely craving more films that blend tension, mystery, and psychological depth. This article explores 10 movies and shows with similar themes of psychological manipulation, eerie atmospheres, and unexpected twists, perfect for fans of dark, thought-provoking storytelling.

Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Description: A psychological horror classic that builds paranoia and dread through subtle supernatural elements and themes of gaslighting and maternal fear.
Fact: Rosemary's Baby was one of the first major Hollywood films to deal with Satanism. The famous dream sequence was inspired by director Roman Polanski's own nightmares.


Possession (1981)
Description: A surreal and intense horror film that blends psychological breakdown with supernatural elements, creating a uniquely disturbing atmosphere.
Fact: Possession was banned in several countries upon release due to its extreme content. The famous subway scene took 3 days to film and left the lead actress physically exhausted.


The Others (2001)
Description: A gothic horror film that masterfully builds tension through atmosphere and psychological elements, focusing on themes of isolation and the supernatural.
Fact: The Others was one of the most successful Spanish productions in history. The entire film was shot using natural light to maintain the eerie atmosphere.


The Orphanage (2007)
Description: A haunting ghost story that blends psychological horror with emotional depth, exploring themes of maternal love and loss.
Fact: The Orphanage was produced by Guillermo del Toro but marked the directorial debut of J.A. Bayona. The film's creepy children's game 'Uno, dos, tres, toca la pared' became iconic in horror circles.


The Neon Demon (2016)
Description: A visually stunning horror film that explores dark themes of beauty and obsession through surreal and disturbing imagery.
Fact: The Neon Demon's color palette was inspired by 1980s fashion photography. The film's infamous 'blood shower' scene used 200 gallons of fake blood.


The Babadook (2014)
Description: A psychological horror film that delves into themes of grief and maternal struggle, using supernatural elements as a metaphor for emotional trauma.
Fact: The Babadook was initially rejected by several film festivals before gaining critical acclaim and becoming a cult classic. The creature's design was inspired by early 20th-century German expressionist films.


The House That Jack Built (2018)
Description: A disturbing psychological horror film that examines the mind of a serial killer through darkly philosophical and surreal sequences.
Fact: The film was so controversial that over 100 people walked out of its Cannes premiere. It features real archival footage of historical atrocities in one particularly shocking scene.


The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Description: A psychological thriller with horror elements that examines moral dilemmas and the breakdown of a family under supernatural circumstances.
Fact: The film's title references the Greek myth of Iphigenia, which plays a central role in the story. The director intentionally used flat, emotionless performances to create an eerie atmosphere.


Hereditary (2018)
Description: A deeply unsettling horror film that explores family dysfunction and inherited trauma, blending psychological horror with supernatural elements.
Fact: Hereditary features one of the most shocking and talked-about scenes in modern horror, involving a telephone pole. The film's miniature dioramas were all created by hand for the production.


Midsommar (2019)
Description: A visually striking horror film that uses bright daylight and folk horror elements to create an unsettling atmosphere, focusing on themes of grief and toxic relationships.
Fact: Midsommar was inspired by Scandinavian midsummer festivals and features authentic Swedish folk traditions. The flower dress worn by the main character weighed over 40 pounds.
