10 Horror Films That Explore the Dark Side of Art

Description: This silent film classic features a disfigured musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House. His obsession with a young singer leads to terror and tragedy, making it a perfect blend of art and horror.

Fact: Lon Chaney, who played the Phantom, created his own makeup, which was so effective that it terrified audiences.

Description: This early Universal horror film features Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff in a tale of revenge set in an art deco mansion. The film's use of architecture and art to create an atmosphere of dread is notable.

Fact: It was the first film to pair Lugosi and Karloff, setting a precedent for future horror collaborations.

Description: This classic film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's novel explores the dark side of vanity through a portrait that ages while its subject remains eternally young. The painting becomes a symbol of moral decay and the horror of eternal youth.

Fact: The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won for Best Cinematography.

Description: While not strictly a horror film, this ballet drama takes a chilling turn with its portrayal of obsession and the supernatural. The red shoes themselves become a cursed object, driving the protagonist to madness.

Fact: The film was inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name, and its ballet sequences are considered some of the finest in cinema.

Description: A model moves into a Brooklyn brownstone that turns out to be a gateway to Hell, guarded by a blind priest. The building's art and architecture are integral to the film's eerie atmosphere.

Fact: The film features a cameo by Burgess Meredith and was one of the first horror films to be released with an R rating.

Description: A psychologist enters the mind of a comatose serial killer to save his latest victim. The film's surreal and artistic visuals create a unique horror experience.

Fact: The film's production design was heavily influenced by surrealist art, particularly the works of Salvador Dalí.

Description: This film, based on a true story, delves into the horror of demonic possession through the lens of a legal battle. The art of exorcism and its portrayal in the film adds a layer of terror.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life case of Anneliese Michel, whose exorcism and subsequent death led to a legal trial.

Description: Set in the 1980s, this film follows a college student who takes a babysitting job that turns out to be a setup for a satanic ritual. The house itself, with its eerie art and decor, plays a crucial role in the horror.

Fact: The film was shot on 16mm film to give it an authentic 80s feel, and it has become a cult classic.

Description: While not a traditional horror film, this Spanish-French film explores the psychological horror of aging and the artist's obsession with capturing beauty, leading to a dark and unsettling narrative.

Fact: The film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2013 Academy Awards.

Description: A young aspiring model in Los Angeles becomes the object of obsession and envy, leading to a descent into a nightmarish world where beauty and horror intertwine.

Fact: The film was shot in Los Angeles and features a neon-lit aesthetic that enhances its eerie atmosphere.