Pushing the boundaries of normalcy, the term psychedelic horror is not always just reliant on trying to relate the chemically induced experience. Rather, films that fall under the moniker look to explore horror that transcends the safe confines of rational thought. Experimentation and abstract concepts being key, these movies offer some of the most unique horror experiences.
While these films push the boundaries of horror, all contain a certain grounding element and are tied to other genres. Whether it be 80s horror, Japanese obscurities or sci-fi craziness, there is something within these bizarre films that speaks to creators in many genre's, countries and origins, offering a wide scope on the concept of psychedelic horror.
Jacobs Ladder (1990)
A war vet, played by Tim Robbins, is attempting to discover his past while dealing with the trauma of losing his child. Unfortunately, during the search the lines between reality, delusion and the in-between begin to blur as the solider experiences extreme and horrific bouts of dissociation.
A precursor to a lot of modern horror, with series such as Silent Hill heavily influence from the film, Jacob's Ladder is a wholly unique horror experience. Outside of the questionable reality from the unreliable protagonists, the movie also created the twitchy, distorted humans that would become a common aesthetic among creepy pasta creators. A truly disorienting, and upsetting experience for those willing to take the trip. Recently, a Jacob's Ladder remake was released.
Climax (2018)
Gathered at a remote location on a wintry night, a French dance troupe spends the night socializing and performing. As the night goes on, they begin to realize their drinks have been spiked with LSD, resulting a drug-fueled breakdown of paranoia and horror pushed by their carnal desires.
Directed by Gaspar Noé has not been one to shy away from controversy in his works, with films such as Irreversible and Love 3D showing the uncompromising approach of the Argentine filmmaker. Unsurprisingly, Climax is equally as uncomfortable as the directors other works, capturing the drug-fueled nightmare through an eclectic/pervasive music score and exploratory cinematography.
Mandy (2018)
The idyllic lives of a couple in their remote home are shattered by a nightmarish hippy cult that end up murdering the titular Mandy. This sets up a request for revenge across a red hued, otherworldly landscape ruled by the cult and a demonic biker gang.
Marking a comeback, of sorts, for veteran actor Nicholas Cage, Mandy helped make him a respected actor in the horror genre after a slew of poorly received movies made most see him as a joke. It is undeniable that cage gives a standout performance in this one, even in his tendency to still over act certain scenes. Off the back of the strong performance, director Panos Cosmatos offers up a thick atmosphere, wonderfully displayed through various hues, to create a nightmarish world ruled by a Manson like figure with command of the occult.
Suspiria (1977)
American Dancer, Suzy Bannion, comes to a prestigious German dance academy to further hone her craft. However, strange events begin to take place at the academy, and a history of the occult eludes to the owners having sinister motives.
From the frenetic score by Goblin, to the rushes of color highlighting various nightmarish sequences, Suspiria is a a defining work from giallo maestro Dario Argento. While the plot itself is pretty straightforward, the real draw comes via the execution, which creates some of the most definitive and memorable sequences in all of horror cinema.
Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made (2018)
The experience of Antrum, and the journey it takes people on, is one best experienced by the audience themselves. In short, the film is presented as being cursed and the cause of death and tragedy. While this is obviously a constructed concept for the 2018 horror film, the cursed angle plays across all aspects of production giving a weird disembodied feeling to the proceedings.
Whether it be intentional degradation of the film stock or cursed imagery spliced into the film for random nightmare deviations, the film really captures the concept of watching a cursed movie. While the production needs the audience to put reason aside and buy into the concept, those willing to will find themselves entwined in a bizarre and surreal practice in horror.
House (1977)
A group of Japanese students plans a visit to the countryside to visit one of the students' grandmothers. However, when they arrive at the house a series of odd occurrences reveal a supernatural force is out to make them a part of the old building.
Recently rediscovered and distributed through the Criterion collection, House from Japanese director Nobuhiko Obayashi, is arguably one of the most bizarre films ever made. This reputation has been garnered by the unorthodox approach to special/practical effects, entirely unique to the production. As a result, the film becomes a trippy experience, as if viewing a horror film from a parallel world with its own set of rules and methods to convey horror.
Berberian Sound Studio (2012)
An American sound engineer hired for an Italian production, finds the horror of the content he is scoring start to manifest in his personal life.
An experiment in auditory horror, while paying homage to the Italian horror cinema of the '70s, Berberian Sound Studio is a very trippy love letter to the stylish horror of the era. The emphasis on sound design creates interesting scenarios in both exploring the craft of sound design and giving some grounding concepts to the surreal approach to horror.
The Beyond (1981)
A woman inherits an old hotel in Louisiana, but after a string of supernatural and gristly events, the new owner learns that the hotel was built over the gates to Hell.
From the "godfather of gore," Lucio Fulci, The Beyond emphasizes why so many horror fans were drawn to Italian horror movies of the '80s. Besides the over-the-top and creative gore sequences, the production boasts a frightening narrative pushed by supernatural elements that can only be explained as coming from a place of pure Evil. Where the film really fits the bill comes via the conclusion, which won't be spoiled here.
Bloodbeat (1983)
A family in rural Wisconsin gets together for Christmas, but the new visitor, Sarah, causes a rift in the family as the mother comes to fear her son's new girlfriend. The fears are confirmed when Sarah finds herself possessed by the spirit of an ancient samurai bent on revenge.
As odd as the premise sounds, the forgotten '80s horror film from one-time director Fabrice A. Zaphiratos is certainly a strange trip. Bringing a samurai into rural Wisconsin and adding supernatural horror elements creates an odd contrast, which does not always make sense. Overall, the film is a bit rough and confusing, but the concept backed by a standout sound design makes Bloodbeat a trippy experience worth checking out.
XTRO (1982)
Being reborn from an alien creature, a man who was abducted and taken away from his family returns. The father's reappearance not only causes a rift in the family, but his peculiar behavior sets the family down a surreal misadventure.
Besides having one of the most terrifying creatures reveals of all time, Xtro is a wonderful balance of surrealism, science fiction, and horror. Consequently, there are many sequences that help capture the psychedelic vibe that rest just beyond rational explanation. Spawning a few notable sequels, the UK alien-horror film is a must watch for peoplewho enjoy horror that challenges regular convention and form.