The 10 Best Political Horror Films, Ranked


In the film industry, there have been statements about how all horror movies have an underlying political basis, some more than others. ZAVVI states that horror movies are dedicated to scaring audiences with real-life problems, so political and social commentary hits people where it hurts. Horror is an extremely versatile genre, with multiple subdivisions, such as horror-comedy, slasher-horror, and, of course, political horror.







Slasher horror is mainly based around iconic killers such as Michael Myers, Jason, and Freddy Krueger - all household names. Horror comedies include movies such as The Babysitter (2017) and Gremlins (1984). Political horror movies might seem like a new concept, but this genre has been alive and well for decades. Viewers might not even know that they're consuming a political horror movie because the plot can blend it so well, but more times than not, it's pretty obvious. Here are some of the best political horror films.





10 The Green Inferno (2015)


the-green-inferno-movie-poster.jpg
Release Date
September 25, 2015
Runtime
100 minutes


This controversial flick directed by Eli Roth is a perfect example of political horror, both on the screen and in real life. The movie depicts a college group of social activists traveling to a remote jungle to try and help the indigenous people who inhabit that area, resulting in their worst nightmares. The Green Inferno got tons of backlash toward Roth, stating that he portrayed indigenous people in a bad light, as savages and cannibals who imprison the students and eat them one by one.






Causing a Real-Life Political Stir


What makes this a great political horror is the mistakes both the college group and Roth made throughout this movie; the white-savior complexes, and making it so realistic. The saving grace, if you could call it that, would be at the end of the movie, when the main character Justine (Lorenza Izzo), the only survivor of the group, tells the police that the indigenous people who trapped her and her friends, were perfectly kind to her the entire time, and shouldn't be bothered, and should be protected.



Split image of JFK and The Conversation
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9 Jaws (1975)







Jaws is based on a sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old-time seafarer teaming up to take the beast, a giant great white shark, down after it surfaces near a populated beach. The sheriff (Roy Schieder) repeatedly approaches town officials regarding the shark, stating they must shut the beach down to kill the threat. However, town officials are stuck on how much money tourists will bring in that weekend, dismissing the worry about the shark.



More Than Just a Killer Shark Movie


Quite possibly one of the best shark movies ever created, this is an excellent example of corruption and greed. Notably, government corruption puts economics over the safety of the public which also leads to the suppression of information. This has become a bit of a trope in horror, but it is at its most poignant in Jaws and reflects the modern-day landscape of prioritizing profit over people.





8 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)





Filled with bloody and gruesome moments, this film is jam-packed with political and social commentary. While this horror is based on actual serial killer Ed Gein, who was known as the "Butcher of Plainfield," who frequently visited grave sites to exhume bodies from their graves and skin them, Texas Chain Saw Massacre has more depth than meets the eye.



Classic Horror Reflecting Political Uncertainty of the Era


While it rides on the shoulders of being deeply disturbing, the topic of animal cruelty, as well as mass farming, is displayed quite a bit, touching on the treatment of animals. Moreover, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was released when people were dealing with discontent with the Vietnam War, an economic crisis, and political scandals like Watergate; the movie blurred the lines of morality and put trust in authoritative figures.








7 Candyman (1992)




Starring Tony Todd, Candyman is a revenge story set in Chicago. When college student Helen Lyle discovers the urban legend based on Candyman, a Black man murdered by his white girlfriend's father, she summons his spirit, and things take a turn for the worse.



A Competent Horror Movie that Also Addressed Race Relations


Candyman's dark atmosphere and well-executed horror elements earned a subsequent cult following. However, the movie's discussion of race resonated with many beyond the familiar genre tropes it pulled off with skill. The film explicitly addresses a long history of troubled race relations in the USA, as well as the disparity between classes that have led to continued violence and political discourse. Candyman is a classic and a great political horror film, and that also goes for the 2021 sequel.








6 The Purge (2013)




This dystopian world centers around a crime-free America, except for one day out of 365. The Purge, created by the government to reduce crime rates throughout the year, is a day when any crime is legal for 24 hours, with no consequences and no police to help.



A Scary Scenario Made of Broken Politics


The Purge is an excellent example of a dystopian world gone wrong that prays on the paranoia many feel in the modern-day political landscape. Each movie in The Purge franchise doubles down on this concept and adds more sensational elements. Still, the same appeal is there and fear of overreaching governments using extreme ideologies to try to control an unruly populace. Is it realistic? Not really, but it paints a pretty horrific picture of extreme behavior hidden under the guise of needed policy.




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5 Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)




This 1956 creepy horror feature placed itself in the timeline when the Cold War was at the forefront of many people's minds. The film's plot follows a small-town doctor who begins to notice that the residents are turning into automatons, individuals becoming zombie-like and just milling about.






Making Monsters of Our Paranoia


Communism took over in the '50s, so this film was a prominent example of life under that dictatorship. This was a monumental horror film for the year, setting the course for more to come. The not-so-subtle political subtext worked in favor of this movie and still does to this day. There is a good reason why this movie has been remade and paid homage, as the themes of paranoia of 'The Enemy Within' remain relevant in almost any contentious political climate.





4 Get Out (2017)


Get Out
Release Date
February 24, 2017


When a couple, Chris and Rose, head to her family's home for the weekend to meet her parents, Chris is apprehensive. He's worried about what her parents will think of their daughter dating a Black man, but Rose reassures him that it will all be fine and that he should leave his worries at the door. The audience quickly learns that Chris had several reasons to worry about this trip, but none of them were what he expected. Jordan Peele directs this masterpiece of a horror movie, which takes unexpected turns, from Chris falling under hypnosis for the first time to the silent auction held at Chris' expense.




An Import Conversation Starter


Get Out feels like one of the main precursors to addressing modern-day race issues and helping bring them to the forefront of the political conversation. Peele himself was inspired by a long string of films in the horror genre that have tackled this issue, but it is hard to overlook the direct impact and success of Get Out in widening an already talked-about subject. The best part is that the movie extends past race relations, also tackling the issues of class disparity, which resonated with a broad audience.





3 The Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981)







Damien Thorn, from the previous Omen movies, has grown into an adult and finds himself in a dominant political position as the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain. As he continues to gain power, leading towards his goal of global domination, the antichrist Father DeCarlo and a group of priests rally to stop him. However, aware of the threat, Damien seeks evil entities against his opponents.



A Real Life Antichrist Doesn't Feel Too Far From Reality


A devil in a place of political or corporate power is not that abstract, given the corruption that takes place throughout politics in a bid for power. The Omen III: The Final Conflict gives a more sensational and horrific account of what pure evil in a place of power could look like behind the scenes. All the Omen films contain elements of political thinking, specifically tackling power structures and their influence on culture. Still, the third film feels like a culmination of everything that came before it; plus, Sam Neill as the Antichrist is a memorable performance. Rent on Apple TV or Prime Video.








2 The Pizzagate Massacre (2020)




Duncan, a conspiracy theorist who tries to live essentially free of government, meets aspiring journalist Karen, who employs him to help her dig into the 'pizzagate' scandal. While drastically different, the two manage to create an odd friendship, which sees them going directly to the supposed pizza place where a sex cult for political powers has been established. A violent encounter splits them up, and Duncan must fight to save Karen from the extremist militia. At the same time, a popular right-wing conspiracy show spouts rumors about lizard people that hang over much of Duncan's actions.






Debunking a Conspiracy


What makes The Pizzagate Massacre such a standout of political horror is how it approaches the subject of the extreme-leaning media with a nuance that explains in a thought-provoking manner instead of taking the easy route of demonizing questionable morality. Duncan is a highly flawed individual, and Karen has her struggles with identity and quest for fame; both should be deplorable, but director John Valley manages to create fascinating characters that you can't help but root for. The feature is more dark satire with action, and the horror elements here are light, relying on the viewer's understanding of conspiracy theories. However, the movie will still scratch that political horror itch. Stream on Prime Video, Tubi, or Plex.



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1 Deathdream (1975)




Deathdream opens with soldier Andy Brooks returning from war (they never say what war, but it has been implied to be the Vietnam War) where he begins to exhibit bizarre behavior. While his friends and family chalk it up to him trying to adjust to life back home, bizarre changes to his body and personality point to a more sinister change going on. As Andy begins to kill the locals, it slowly becomes evident that whatever has returned is no longer Andy.






Tackling the Mental Toll of War And Government Treatment of Soldiers


Deathdreamis generally underrated despite being a proto-slasher that masterfully handles social commentary. This may boil down to the somewhat obscurity of the film, a Canadian horror film by Bob Clark, whose work on the seminal slasher Black Christmas and the beloved holiday film A Christmas Story overshadow Deathdream. Still, the movie offers up a macabre vision of a soldier returned broken from war and addresses both the horrors the government puts people through and the lack of support soldiers often see on returning from war. Stream on Prime Video, AMC+, Shudder, or Tubi.



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