When it comes to supernatural movies, Hulu has no shortage of content ranging from classics, like The Dead Zone, to modern favorites, like Possessor. Most of these films tend to fall under the label of conventional horror, while also incorporating the tropes of other genres and related subgenres.
For instance, The Wailing also bears traces of a psychological thriller, while WolfCop is a full-on comedy. All in all, the streaming service's collection includes several picks that have reinvented supernatural elements in mainstream cinema.
The Devil's Doorway (2018) - 5.3
Many feel that the found-footage horror subgenre has been oversaturated for the past few years. However, a few underrated gems tend to undo the cliches with the Irish horror The Devil's Doorway being a notable example.
The film deals with two priests who are sent by the Vatican to investigate a miracle observed amongst the "fallen women" of a remote Magdalene asylum. With further investigation, they realize that an unexplained ghostly force is controlling the female inhabitants. As the story intensifies, notions of promiscuity and so-called "virginity" are explored.
WolfCop (2014) - 5.5
WolfCop's delightfully campy nature is evident from its whacky poster, a tribute to B movies of the last century. The poster goes on to describe the film's central character as, "Dirty Harry ... but hairier!"
The plot deals with an alcoholic cop who suddenly gains a newfound respect for the law after he turns into a werewolf. Apart from executing his legal duties, he also wages an all-out war against reptilian shapeshifters running the town. The film's sheer ridiculousness and over-the-top gore make it a must-watch for fans of modern-day grindhouse tributes.
Pet Sematary (2019) - 5.7
The Stephen King adaptation Pet Sematary serves as a reboot of the film series of the same name. The pacing might disappoint some viewers, but the supernatural horror feels like a worthy update on its source material.
The animal-centric horror is enough to provide some nightmarish visuals while also being complemented with a few satisfying jump scares. Apart from a few changes from its source material, it largely retains the original plot of animals coming back to life in sinister ways.
The Wretched (2020) - 5.8
The Wretched starts off with a teenage boy coping with his parents' ongoing divorce until he encounters a bigger problem. A thousand-year-old witch has possessed his next-door neighbor.
The antagonist in this 2020 release might not be the most unique, as evil witches are recurring elements even in new-wave horror. However, the film's atmosphere-building is impressive enough for a viewing. John-Paul Howard makes for an emotional hero who captures the defiant angst of a 'post-Stranger Things' era of teen fiction.
Ghost Stories (2017) - 6.4
Based on the play of the same name, Ghost Stories is an anthology of three paranormal incidents that are eventually connected by a common theme. Co-director Andy Nyman stars as a professor who sets out on a mission to dismiss fraudulent sightings of the supernatural. As he encounters three individuals and their "ghost stories," the protagonist ends up questioning his own sanity.
With a subversion of classic horror narratives and convincing performances from Martin Freeman and Alex Lawther, the film's individual segments are bound to delight genre fans.
Possessor (2020) - 6.5
One of the landmark horror releases of last year was Possessor, a film that incorporates a highly original sci-fi premise and blends it with classic psychological horror.
Andrea Riseborough takes charge as the lead, playing Tasya Vos, an assassin who "possesses" others through a brain implant to carry out her hits. However, this parasitic reliance on using others contributes to Tasya's detachment from herself. Her unstable mental state finds her struggling to find her own identity, while also being trapped in another man's body.
Saint Maud (2019) - 6.7
Saint Maud is the latest addition to A24's pantheon of genre-bending horrors. While delving into the complex psyche of a recently-converted Catholic woman Maud, Rose Glass's directorial debut reinvents formulaic cliches around religious horror. The result is an interestingly fresh and artistic experiment of a film.
The fast-paced editing and surrealist cinematography add to the fear and tension underlying the titular character's shyness. Even though Maud tries to stick to her high-headed morals, she bears the weight of her own tragic past. The film's supernatural elements only build towards this exploration of human trauma.
Odd Thomas (2013) - 6.8
Starring the late Anton Yelchin in the titular role, Odd Thomas dealt with a 20-year-old boy who gains the ability to see dead people. When an army of predators enters his town with the desire to feed on human pain, Thomas joins forces with his girlfriend and the Sheriff to deliver his own brand of justice.
Odd Thomas's satirical humor and dark fantasy tones can impress niche viewers looking for an offbeat recommendation. It is clearly one of the underrated entries in director Stephen Sommers' filmography who had earlier helmed Deep Rising and The Mummy.
The Dead Zone (1983) - 7.2
Directed by horror maestro David Cronenberg, The Dead Zone is a dark take on a sci-fi story that almost meanders towards superhero territory. Christopher Walken stars as Johnny Smith, a school teacher who comes out of a coma with unexplained psychic powers. As he discovers his abilities to look into the future, Smith takes it upon himself to serve as a savior of humanity.
Apart from being an '80s cult favorite, The Dead Zone also goes down in cinematic history as perhaps one of the best Stephen King adaptations.
The Wailing (2016) - 7.5
Exorcism sequences, satanic undertones, dysfunctional family dynamics, a town plagued with brutal murders -- The Wailing has it all. The South Korean horror starts off as a psychological neo-noir, eventually giving way to highly unexpected supernatural thrills. Written and directed by Na Hong-Jin, The Wailing clocks at over 150 minutes, but this ambitious runtime makes complete sense given the ambitious scale of the storyline.
The film opens with a wave of terror that is triggered by the visit of an ominous stranger. As chaos ensues, a police investigation points towards darker secrets that transcend into a genuinely spine-chilling finale.