There’s nothing quite like the chilling style that Asian horror brings. Some films have that slow build, letting tension simmer until it’s unbearable. Others hit you with disturbing visuals or mind-bending plots that leave you thinking about them long after the credits roll.
I’ve put together a list of some of the scariest and most unnerving Asian horror films to watch in 2024.
1. I Saw the TV Glow
| Title | I Saw the TV Glow |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Genre | Psychological Horror |
| Director | Jane Schoenbrun |
| Starring | Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine |
| Runtime | 100 minutes |
I Saw the TV Glow revolves around a group of teenagers who become disturbingly obsessed with a TV show that seems to speak directly to them. What starts as harmless fascination turns into something darker as reality begins to blur.
The film uses a combination of eerie visuals and unsettling sound design to pull viewers into the same confusion and terror that the characters experience.
The film plays with the idea of interactive TV, with some early viewers reporting that they felt like the show was “watching them back.” It’s a clever nod to the psychological tension in the movie.
Director Jane Schoenbrun said in interviews that the idea came from growing up with TV shows that left lasting impressions on their mind. They wanted to explore how media can influence and sometimes warp perception.
If you pay close attention during the movie, there are subtle glitches in the background that suggest something is wrong even before the characters realize it. This adds an extra layer of discomfort for the audience.
Also, check out some spine-chilling horror movies releasing this year from around the world.
Behind the Scenes
The movie was filmed over just six weeks but had a year-long post-production process to perfect the haunting soundscapes and special effects. Schoenbrun worked closely with the cast to create a genuine sense of paranoia, often encouraging improvisation to keep the performances raw and unpredictable.
Audience Reactions
Early screenings left viewers feeling “disoriented and creeped out.” Some have called it “one of the most disturbing films of the year,” praising how it taps into fears about media control and reality distortion. It’s a movie that doesn’t just scare with monsters but with ideas that linger long after the screen goes dark.
2. Abigail
| Title | Abigail |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Genre | Supernatural Horror |
| Director | Jang Hang-jun |
| Starring | Park Bo-young, Kim Soo-hyun |
| Runtime | 98 minutes |
Abigail tells the story of a young woman who moves into an old, abandoned house in the countryside. She quickly realizes that she is not alone, as strange events begin to unfold.
As Abigail explores the house, she uncovers dark secrets about its former occupants, leading her to confront the supernatural forces that still linger.
The film’s atmosphere shifts from eerie to downright terrifying as Abigail’s sense of isolation grows, and the haunting presence in the house becomes more aggressive.
The story draws you in slowly, but the escalating tension keeps viewers on edge. The balance of supernatural elements with psychological horror adds depth to the narrative, making Abigail’s journey not just about external threats but her internal struggle as well.
Interesting Production Details
The movie was filmed in a remote area of South Korea, where the isolation of the setting added to the actors’ experiences. Director Jang Hang-jun said that the eerie atmosphere on set helped heighten the cast’s performances, particularly in scenes where the supernatural elements become overwhelming for Abigail.
The film makes great use of practical effects rather than heavy CGI, which gives the ghosts and supernatural occurrences a more grounded and unsettling feel. The cinematography also plays a significant role in making the environment feel oppressive, with long, lingering shots of the house’s dark corridors and shadowy rooms.
Audience Reception
The film doesn’t rely on cheap thrills or jump scares but instead builds dread through its haunting visuals and slow, methodical storytelling. Some have compared it to classic haunted house films but noted its fresh approach to the genre, blending traditional horror elements with a more modern psychological twist.
3. Exhuma (2024)
| Title | Exhuma |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Genre | Psychological Horror |
| Director | Kim Hyeong-jun |
| Starring | Kim So-jin, Lee Min-ki |
| Runtime | 110 minutes |
Exhuma centers on a grieving mother who begins seeing visions of her deceased son. As the mother dives deeper into her grief, she encounters unsettling occurrences that make her question the line between reality and the supernatural.
The deeper she searches for answers, the more she becomes trapped between the living world and the afterlife. The film slowly builds tension, allowing viewers to feel the character’s internal conflict while keeping them on edge with eerie supernatural elements.
Production Details
The film was shot over a span of six months in rural South Korea, giving the production a hauntingly isolated feel. Director Kim Hyeong-jun focused on blending psychological horror with a slow-burn supernatural atmosphere.
Practical effects were used to give the ghostly encounters a more realistic and grounded presence, contributing to the film’s unsettling tone.
Audience Reactions
Early reviews have praised the emotional depth of Kim So-jin’s performance, noting how she grounds the character’s grief in a way that makes the supernatural events even more impactful.
Viewers appreciated the mix of psychological tension and spiritual horror, comparing it to other slow-burn horror films that rely on atmosphere rather than jump scares.
4. Immaculate
| Title | Immaculate |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Genre | Supernatural, Psychological Horror |
| Director | Lee Chang-dong |
| Starring | Kim Tae-ri, Gong Yoo |
| Runtime | 102 minutes |
Immaculate follows a young woman who seeks peace at a remote convent, hoping to escape a traumatic past. But unsettling events begin to shake her faith and grip her with fear. As the strange occurrences become harder to ignore, she struggles to distinguish between the supernatural and her own mental state.
The film explores how isolation and guilt twist her sense of reality, leading her down a dark, terrifying path.
The cold, eerie convent provides the perfect backdrop for the story. The creeping silence and oppressive atmosphere build tension, forcing both the character and the audience to question what’s real and what might be a result of her unraveling mind.
Production Notes
Director Lee Chang-dong is known for deep, character-driven films, and he brought that same focus to Immaculate. He wanted the fear to come not from monsters or loud scares, but from the way guilt and isolation break down the protagonist’s mind.
Filming at an actual abandoned convent added to the film’s authenticity, and both Kim Tae-ri and Gong Yoo gave powerful performances, adding emotional weight to the horror.
Audience Reaction
Viewers praised the film for creating an intense, suffocating atmosphere without relying on typical horror tropes. The psychological tension had audiences gripping their seats, with many appreciating how the story explored themes of faith, guilt, and fear.
Kim Tae-ri’s portrayal of a woman on the edge of sanity stood out as one of the best performances of the year.
5. The First Omen
| Title | The First Omen |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
| Country | Japan |
| Genre | Supernatural Horror |
| Director | Hideaki Anno |
| Starring | Haruka Ayase, Takeru Satoh |
| Runtime | 104 minutes |
The First Omen serves as a supernatural horror film exploring the origins of an ancient evil force that preys on a family. The narrative follows a young couple as they experience unexplainable phenomena after the birth of their first child. The tension builds as they uncover a disturbing connection to a centuries-old curse that threatens not only their child but their lives.
The movie leans heavily into traditional Japanese folklore, blending it with modern storytelling to create a haunting narrative. Dark, atmospheric scenes punctuate the story, with slow, creeping horror that grabs hold and doesn’t let go.
The film’s director, Hideaki Anno, is known for his work on emotionally intense and visually striking films, bringing the same level of care to The First Omen. He drew from Japanese mythology to craft the story, and this adds a layer of cultural richness to the horror elements.
Audience Reactions
Fans of supernatural horror found The First Omen to be deeply unsettling, particularly due to its strong character-driven plot. Viewers appreciated how the film avoided over-the-top special effects, focusing instead on building dread through atmosphere and subtle supernatural elements.
Many praised the performances of Haruka Ayase and Takeru Satoh for bringing genuine emotional depth to the story, making the terror feel personal and immediate.
Behind the Scenes
The production team worked with experts in Japanese mythology to accurately portray the folklore woven into the film’s plot. The use of practical effects, combined with minimal CGI, gives the film a grounded feel, making the supernatural elements even more disturbing.
6. Incantation 2 (2024)
| Title | Incantation 2 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Genre | Supernatural Horror |
| Director | Kevin Ko |
| Starring | Tsai Hsuan-yen, Huang Sin-ting |
| Runtime | 118 minutes |
Incantation 2 continues the terrifying saga of the original film, bringing the curse back with even deadlier consequences. A group of young adults accidentally stumbles upon the forbidden ritual, reigniting a curse that had once been sealed.
As they try to escape the supernatural forces now unleashed, they discover chilling secrets that deepen the curse’s origins. The tension escalates as the characters fight to unravel the mystery before the curse consumes them, each step pushing them closer to doom.
Production Notes
Director Kevin Ko builds on the success of the first Incantation film by adding more complex layers to the story while keeping the atmospheric dread intact. The sequel delves deeper into the mythology of the curse, expanding the supernatural lore introduced in the original.
Filming took place in remote, isolated locations to enhance the eerie tone, while the visual effects team worked to make the supernatural entities feel more real and menacing.
Audience Reactions
Fans of the first film are already calling Incantation 2 a worthy successor, with many praising its ability to escalate the horror while maintaining the slow-burn intensity that made the original so chilling.
FAQs
What makes Asian horror movies different from Western horror?
Asian horror movies often focus more on psychological horror, slow-building tension, and supernatural elements rooted in folklore and mythology.
Many Asian horror films emphasize atmosphere over gore, creating a sense of dread through subtle, creeping fear rather than relying on jump scares or explicit violence. Western horror, on the other hand, often focuses on action-packed narratives or slasher tropes, with more graphic scenes and physical confrontations.
What are common themes in Asian horror movies?
Many Asian horror films deal with themes of guilt, revenge, family dynamics, and the consequences of breaking societal or spiritual taboos. There’s also a strong focus on mental illness and internal struggles, which are often represented metaphorically through supernatural events.
Fear of the unknown, both in terms of spiritual forces and personal trauma, is another recurring theme.
Why do Asian horror movies often seem slower than Western ones?
Asian horror typically employs a slow-burn approach, allowing tension to build gradually. This slower pace creates a more immersive atmosphere, giving viewers time to feel the dread before the horror fully unfolds.
Instead of quick shocks, the horror in these films is often psychological, aiming to unsettle the audience on a deeper level.
Why are children frequently featured in Asian horror films?
Children in Asian horror movies often symbolize innocence, vulnerability, or a connection to the spiritual world. Their presence can make supernatural occurrences feel more unsettling, as they are seen as sensitive to spiritual forces.
Last Words
Asian horror movies don’t mess around. They hit harder, go deeper, and stay with you long after they’re done. They tap into your mind, make you think, and twist what you thought you knew about fear.
If you’re tired of the same old recycled jump scares, you’re in the right place. These films bring something different, and they’ll mess with your head in the best way.