8 Horror Thriller Films That Shaped the A24 Brand

When mentioning A24, many people often associate it with poetic, slow-paced, and contemplative indie films. However, what truly made the studio a “phenomenon” in the past decade lies in how they redefined the horror-thriller genre.

Instead of chasing jump scares or familiar commercial formulas, A24 built a very unique style: restrained, dark, rich in metaphors, and often exploring deeper psychological fears rather than visual ones.

In their films, horror doesn’t just come from ghosts, but from memories, trauma, beliefs, and the very nature of humanity.

 

Before Mother Mary officially premiered, these are 8 representative works that helped shape A24’s “horror DNA”.

Mother Mary (Upcoming)

Mother Mary is the latest project from director David Lowery – a name known for his metaphysical filmmaking style in works like A Ghost Story and The Green Knight.

The film follows a pop superstar (Anne Hathaway) on her career comeback, while also reuniting with an old friend – a fashion designer played by Michaela Coel.

The film’s notable approach to themes such as fame, emotional dependence, and power in relationships is noteworthy. It’s likely not a traditional horror film, but rather a “psychologically haunting” experience – true to the spirit of A24.

Bring Her Back (2025)

Bring Her Back further solidifies the reputation of the duo Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou after the success of Talk to Me.

The story seems simple: two orphaned children are adopted. But the isolated setting, the strange foster mother (Sally Hawkins), and the occult rituals gradually transform this place into a nightmare.

The film’s strength lies not in its jump scares, but in how it raises the question: how much can love become possessive? When people try to cling to what is lost, the line between love and destruction almost disappears.

Pearl (2022)

Pearl is not just a horror film, but also a psychological study of human desire and decay.

The character Pearl – played by Mia Goth – embodies a distorted Hollywood dream. Trapped in the suffocating farm setting, she longs to be seen, to be loved, but this very longing pushes her into a spiral of violence.

What makes Pearl special is the contrast: vibrant, almost fairytale-like imagery, but increasingly dark content. This is exactly how A24 often does it – turning beauty into something that makes viewers uneasy.

Talk to Me (2022)

Talk to Me is a perfect example of how A24 can balance arthouse and commercial success.

The idea of “séances as a game” initially feels entertaining, but quickly turns into tragedy as the protagonist tries to connect with a deceased loved one.

The film is essentially about:

The loneliness of the younger generation
The haunting fear of loss
Self-destruction disguised as entertainment

The film’s box office success shows that mainstream audiences are still willing to embrace profound stories, if told in the right way.

Midsommar (2019)

Midsommar, directed by Ari Aster, is one of the rare horror films that takes place almost entirely in daylight.

The character Dani (Florence Pugh) not only faces a bizarre cult, but also confronts her own unhealed pain.

The film’s horror lies not in death, but in:

Finding comfort in distorted realities
A flawed community offering a sense of belonging

Midsommar unsettles viewers in a very subtle way – and that is its strength.

The Lighthouse (2019)

The Lighthouse is more of a cinematic experience than a typical film.

Two characters, played by Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, are stranded on an isolated island where reality and hallucinations gradually merge.

The film explores:

Extreme loneliness
Power and oppression
The madness of the human mind

With its black-and-white cinematography and highly symbolic language, this is one of A24’s “most difficult but worthwhile” films.

Hereditary (2018)

Hereditary is often considered the film that laid the foundation for A24’s modern horror wave.

Under the direction of Ari Aster, the family story becomes a nightmare about:

Psychological trauma
Emotional inheritance
Powerlessness in the face of fate

Toni Collette‘s performance is so realistic it’s unsettling, making it impossible for viewers to emotionally detach even after the film ends.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

The Killing of a Sacred Deer, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is one of A24’s most unsettling and unconventional films.

The film operates like a modern Greek tragedy, where the protagonist is forced to make inhuman choices to pay the price for past mistakes.

The terrifying aspect here isn’t death, but rather:

The cold logic of justice
Emotional detachment in decision-making
The distortion of morality under pressure

The Witch (2015)

The Witch is widely regarded as the starting point for A24’s signature horror style.

Set in the 17th century, the film follows a family living in isolation on the edge of a forest, gradually being consumed by fear and superstition.

The work stands out with its minimalist, realistic approach and helped establish Anya Taylor-Joy as a promising face in Hollywood.