10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to The Evil Within (2017)

Description: Like 'The Evil Within', this film plays with perceptions of reality and features a protagonist whose mental state is questionable. Both films use gothic atmosphere and slow reveals to build tension. The twist endings in both films completely reframe everything that came before.

Fact: Nicole Kidman's performance revived her career. The film was shot almost entirely using natural light. It was a major box office success despite being released shortly after 9/

Description: Similar to 'The Evil Within' in its exploration of cursed media and the transmission of evil. Both films feature protagonists investigating supernatural phenomena that begin to affect them personally. The visual style of both films is bleak and unsettling.

Fact: The American remake was more successful than the original Japanese version in the US. The famous 'video' sequence took months to create. It helped popularize J-horror in Western markets.

Description: Like 'The Evil Within', this film deals with supernatural evil that transcends individual victims. Both feature non-linear storytelling and the idea of trauma being passed between people. The visual style in both emphasizes ghostly, unnatural movements.

Fact: Sarah Michelle Gellar was hesitant to do another horror project after Buffy. The film's ghost Kayako was played by a ballet dancer. It was shot in Japan with an American-Japanese crew.

Description: Shares with 'The Evil Within' the theme of a supernatural presence gradually taking over someone's life. Both use subtle, creeping horror rather than overt violence. The found-footage style of 'Paranormal Activity' creates a similar sense of voyeuristic dread as 'The Evil Within's psychological unraveling.

Fact: Made for just $15,000, it became one of the most profitable films ever. The original ending was much darker. Many scenes were improvised to feel more authentic.

Description: Shares with 'The Evil Within' a focus on demonic possession and the supernatural invading the real world. Both films use practical effects to create believable horror and rely on atmospheric tension rather than jump scares. The theme of a family under siege by dark forces is central to both.

Fact: Based on the real-life cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film spawned a successful cinematic universe. Director James Wan used old-school techniques to create scares.

Description: Parallels 'The Evil Within' in its depiction of a protagonist uncovering disturbing supernatural truths through found footage. Both films explore the idea of evil as an infectious force that spreads to those who investigate it. The visual style is similarly dark and foreboding.

Fact: The film's creepy home videos were inspired by real snuff films. Ethan Hawke's character was originally written as much younger. The soundtrack by Christopher Young is considered one of horror's best.

Description: Similar to 'The Evil Within' in its exploration of psychological horror and the blurring line between reality and delusion. Both films delve into the theme of a malevolent presence that may or may not be a manifestation of the protagonist's inner turmoil. The visual aesthetics in both films are dark and claustrophobic, enhancing the sense of dread.

Fact: The Babadook was director Jennifer Kent's debut feature film. The film's monster was inspired by early 20th-century German expressionist cinema. It was critically acclaimed for its portrayal of grief and depression through horror.

Description: Shares with 'The Evil Within' themes of unreliable perception and reality distortion. Both films feature protagonists struggling with traumatic pasts while confronting supernatural forces. The mirror in 'Oculus' functions similarly to the psychological breakdown in 'The Evil Within'.

Fact: Based on director Mike Flanagan's own short film. The film's timeline jumps were achieved without digital effects. It was one of the first horror films produced by WWE Studios.

Description: Like 'The Evil Within', this film combines psychological horror with supernatural elements in a confined setting. Both involve protagonists trying to solve a mystery that gradually drives them mad. The medical/scientific approach to horror in 'Jane Doe' mirrors the psychological investigation in 'The Evil Within'.

Fact: The entire film takes place in a single location (the morgue). Director André Øvredal wanted to make a 'thinking person's horror film'. The mystery of Jane Doe's identity is never fully explained.

Description: Like 'The Evil Within', 'Hereditary' combines supernatural horror with deep psychological trauma. Both films feature families unraveling due to forces beyond their control, with a strong emphasis on inherited evil or mental illness. The cinematography in both films is meticulous, with slow-building tension leading to shocking climaxes.

Fact: Toni Collette's performance was widely praised as one of the best in horror cinema. The film's director, Ari Aster, drew inspiration from classic family dramas as much as horror. Many scenes were shot in sequence to maintain emotional continuity.