Interestingly, even though Hollywood is located in the middle of Los Angeles, not many movies are set in Los Angeles. You see many examples of this horror movies set in small towns in the United States, but they are shot in Los Angeles. This leads to some humorous moments in movies where you can see oddities like palm trees in Central America or outdoor lockers in places with colder climates. However, not all Hollywood movies shun their filming locations. Here are some of the best horror movies with Los Angeles settings.
The Eye (2008)
First on the list we have The eye. This is a supernatural horror movie released in 2008 starring Jessica Alba and directed by David Moreau. The movie is a remake of another movie of the same name and moves the setting to Los Angeles. In the film, a classical violinist named Sydney undergoes a corneal transplant to correct the blindness she has had since childhood. While the transplant is successful, it also allows her to see things she never intended. She begins to see visions of people dying and other horrific scenes, which makes her question her sanity.
The film continues to enthrall all the way through. It effectively uses creepy imagery and is effective at scaring the audience. The film's setting is mainly set in Los Angeles, and we see Sydney adjust to the culture when she regains her sight. Part of the film also takes place in Mexico, where she has her eye surgery.
Prince of Darkness (1987)
Prince of Darkness is a movie by John Carpenter that was released in 1987. It is a supernatural horror story that follows a group of quantum physics students and a Catholic priest in Los Angeles. A priest, played by Donal Pleasence, finds a vial of alien goo in a vial in a Los Angeles church basement. He is immediately concerned and finds some science students to investigate. As they investigate, they determine that the slime is the essence of Satan. The slime begins to escape its containment and all hell breaks loose, culminating in a fight in Los Angeles.
This film received high praise from critics upon its release. It has a high critic score and audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praise the clever ideas and compliment it for being a return to form for John Carpenter. Thanks to the smooth camera work and expert horror movie angles, the movie contains a lot of jump scares. Carpenter is the master of the slow escalation of tension, and Prince of Darkness does not disappoint.
Mirror Mirror (1990)
The third movie on this list is Mirror mirror. This 1990 horror film begins in 1950s Iowa with a murder. Years later, a goth teenager named Megan moves to Los Angeles, California with her mother. They move into a house with the same mirror that was present at the murder, which has since been possessed by a demonic force. If the wish is interrupted or stopped, the mirror will grant wishes, but with a deadly price. Megan is bullied at school and uses the mirror to get revenge and get the things she wants. Megan is consumed with power and those around her must convince her to fight the demon in the mirror.
The film was released at the Cannes Film Festival the same year to generally positive reception. Critics liked how the almost all-female cast and the themes of fear, narcissism, and teen popularity are told through a postmodern lens.
This is the End (2012)
Next we have the movie This is the end. It was released in 2013 and starred James Franco, Jonah Hill, and Seth Rogen. Set in Hollywood, the film follows a group of six friends who suddenly find themselves in crisis. The apocalypse has come and brought with it giant beams of light that begin to suck people into the air. Afterwards, an earthquake hits and a sinkhole engulfs the partygoers with whom the six friends had partied. After creatures appear, the friends must find a way to survive with limited supplies.
The film is notable for being set almost entirely in James Franco's house. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Seth Rogen joked that he came up with the idea of shooting the movie at James Franco's house before he even asked him to. Despite being a horror movie, it's also hilarious and skillfully crafted.
Lost Highway (1997)
Lost highway is a surreal horror film directed by David Lynch released in 1997. This film tells the story of a Los Angeles jazz musician, played by Bill Pullman, and a young mechanic, played by Balthazar Getty. The story is divided between the two people and is connected by the same actress who plays the woman in their lives in both. It plays out as an ominous mystery, and as is typical for Lynch, it can be difficult to always say exactly what is happening. The film is full of terrifying images that stay with you long after the running time has ended. Film critics praised the film for its painterly aesthetic and intense visual style. This film is easy to get lost in with its various dreamscapes and surreal escapes.
Predator 2 (1990)
Predator 2 takes the iconic movie The Predator and has him attack the streets of Los Angeles. It is a horror science fiction film released in 1990 starring Danny Glover, Gary Busey and Ruben Blades. A predator has descended to Earth again to watch the shooting between the Los Angeles Police Department and Jamaican drug cartels. The film takes place 10 years after the original film and the police must find a way to deal with this alien threat that haunts them. Although the movie received mixed reviews from critics at the time of release, people have come to regard it as a great movie. The musical score and performances have led to the film gaining a cult following.
Drag Me to Hell (2009)
Another excellent horror movie set in Los Angeles is Drag me to hell. This film was directed by Sam Raimi and released in 2009. It is set in present-day Los Angeles, with a flashback to 1969 Pasadena. In the film, a woman named Christine and her boyfriend get a job at a large bank in Los Angeles. Angeles. However, Christine denies a woman a home loan extension, leading her to curse Christine. This curse threatens to condemn her soul to hell if she doesn't find a way to live it. The film makes excellent use of Raimi's often hilarious cynicism to create memorable moments. It uses old horror tropes together to make fun of it while still being hugely entertaining.
Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
from Wes Craven New nightmare is a meta version of the Nightmare on Elm Street series released in 1994. In the film, Wes Craven, Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund portray themselves as characters considering making another movie in Los Angeles. In a twist, Freddy Krueger's fantasy is mixed with the reality of the world that created him, forcing the characters to confront Freddy in the real world.
The film has been praised for capturing the feel of the original film, despite its somewhat unusual conceit. Wes Craven delivers unique visuals that skillfully instill fear in his audience. The film explores the effect making horror movies has on the people responsible for making them. It is an excellent example of a meta-horror film.
The Purge (2013)
The robbery is a dystopian horror film set in a gated community in Los Angeles. It was released in 2013 and starred Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey and Adelaide Kane. The film examines the United States that has elected a new political party after economic hardship. This political party has instituted an annual event known as "The Purge" where all crime becomes legal for one night. Apparently this is an effective policy, and it reduced the unemployment rate to 1% and made the United States crime-free for the rest of the year.
This movie ranks high on the list for its political commentary and brutal violence. The dystopian concept is the perfect setting for a film with gripping suspense and well-executed horror scenes that will give you chills. The robbery is an entertaining ride all the way through.
They Live (1988)
They live is a sci-fi horror film directed by John Carpenter that follows an unnamed drifter who has reached Los Angeles. The drifter, played by Roddy Piper, discovers a pair of sunglasses that allow him to see the truth of the world. This truth is that the world is controlled by a race of aliens who pose as humans and have spread control messages hidden in television and advertising. When the film came out in 1988, it was seen as a fresh, subversive take on the horror and sci-fi genres. The film also contains quite a bit of action, making it an excellent mashup of the horror film genre. Many of the film's themes, such as consumerism and media scrutiny, seem to become more relevant every decade.
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