7 best psychological horror movies on Netflix that’ll truly unsettle you

7 best psychological horror movies on Netflix that'll truly unsettle you

As a huge fan of psychological horror films, I find myself deeply drawn to the intricacies of human emotions and the dark corners of the mind. These movies offer a unique and chilling perspective on fear, often leaving me with a sense of unease long after the credits roll.


Psychological horror is a cherished branch of the horror genre where the focus shifts inside the characters’ minds. This subgenre explores their deepest fears, anxieties, and unexplained terrors. The protagonists in these movies often experience a disconnect from reality, displaying instability, unreliability, or disturbance due to past traumas.

Rather than relying on graphic violence and frightening images to elicit fear in viewers as typical horror movies do, psychological horror films delve into the deteriorating emotional and mental well-being of characters. This examination of character psyches can generate tension, fear, and eventually leave audiences feeling uneasy and disturbed.

Here are seven psychological horror films currently available on Netflix that are definitely worth watching for a chilling experience.

The Perfection (2018)

A troubled cello virtuoso named Perfection revisits her old music academy with the intention of rekindling relationships with her former mentors. However, she’s shocked to find that a gifted younger cellist has assumed her previous role. After an initial encounter, they both embark on a twisted journey to seek retribution against those who have hurt them in their past.

Creep (2014)

I once took on a videography gig in a secluded mountain town, intending to document a day’s worth of footage for an expecting couple, with the mother-to-be supposedly terminally ill. Seemed like an easy peasy job, right? Boy, was I wrong!

Run Rabbit Run (2023)

As a huge fan of “Run Rabbit Run,” I can tell you that this thought-provoking novel centers around me as the protagonist, a fertility doctor and single mom. One day, I notice some odd behavior from my young daughter, which makes me doubt my own sanity. This uncertainty pushes me to delve deep into my past, uncovering dark and painful memories that I had tried to bury.

The Babadook (2014)

A widowed mother named Amelia, who is raising her 6-year-old son Samuel alone, encounters complications when an unusual children’s book called “Mister Babadook” mysteriously appears in their house.

Following the reading of it, Amelia and her family are subjected to inexplicable and frightening occurrences in their home. Amelia begins to have unsettling hallucinations, causing her mental health to rapidly decline. On the edge of losing her sanity, Amelia must face her inner demons to ensure their safety.

It Follows (2015)

As a gamer, I’d describe It Follows like this: In this chilling horror tale, I, as the protagonist, find myself in the shoes of a young woman named Jay, played by Maika Monroe. After an intimate encounter with my boyfriend, I’m plagued by a horrifying revelation – a deadly curse is now mine to bear. This curse, you see, is passed on through sexual contact. It’s not just any ordinary curse; it involves a shape-shifting entity that relentlessly follows its victim, always lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and claim another life. The only way I can save myself is by passing this lethal burden onto someone else. So now, I’m on the run, constantly looking over my shoulder, trying to outmaneuver this relentless pursuer before it’s too late.

As Jay strives to elude the unyielding entity, she exists in perpetual dread of meeting her demise. Her persistent fear leads to a gradual decline in her mental health.

Cam (2018)

In a pursuing narrative, we encounter Alice, a determined young woman who goes by “Lola_Lola” in the camgirl business. However, her world takes an ominous turn when an intruder hacks into her account, mimicking her actions and identity. As she tirelessly works to reclaim her digital domain and unveil the enigmatic adversary, Alice’s anxiety mounts, fueled by the possibility of losing control and being usurped. It is this dread that pushes Alice’s mental condition towards a precarious edge.

Circle (2015)

As a gamer, I find myself in the middle of an intriguing predicament. In this game, I’m suddenly surrounded by unfamiliar faces in a dimly lit room, only to discover we’ve all been kidnapped and coerced into participating in a lethal contest. With our lives hanging in the balance, we soon learn that we have the power to vote on who will be eliminated next. The ever-present fear of imminent death and the immense responsibility of deciding who gets to live and who meets their end pushes each one of us to our psychological limits.

What are some of your favorite psychological horror movies?

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2024-07-15 20:25

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