Many renowned horror directors are known for their ability to craft chilling masterpieces that have either become or are likely to become cult classics. Although prior experience usually helps in filmmaking, some of them have made an unforgettable first impression with their debuts. A strong debut doesn’t always define a filmmaker’s entire career, but it can have a lasting impact. And when it comes to the horror genre—often undervalued compared to other categories—it’s even harder for a first-time director to make their mark.
Nevertheless, more than one filmmaker managed to defy expectations, delivering terrifying and influential films right from the start and immediately earning recognition in Hollywood and beyond. Some of these debuts sparked equally outstanding careers, whether in horror or other cinematic genres. Through inventive storytelling and an innovative, distinctive style, these directors proved that even a first venture can leave an indelible mark.
10
Get Out (2017)
Directed By Jordan Peele
One of the most discussed movies of the last 10 years, most people did not expect Get Out to become such a cultural phenomenon, especially considering the relatively unknown name of its director. Nevertheless, Jordan Peele crafted a surprisingly relevant horror metaphor for his debut. Unsurprisingly, the movie was nominated for four Academy Awards and earned one for Best Screenplay.
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Although he had co-written the movie Keanu in 2016, Peele had never helmed a feature film before. He rose to the occasion, crafting a masterpiece of tension and subtlety. It uses classical elements of the genre, like an unsettling score and an ominous context, to deliver a powerful political commentary on social inequality and hidden racism in the United States. An eerie reinterpretation of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Get Out does not rely on jump scares or bloody sequences to shock us, but it torments the viewer with the disturbing silence of uncomfortable truths.
9
Revenge (2018)
Directed By Coralie Fargeat
- Release Date
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May 11, 2018
- Runtime
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109 Minutes
- Director
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Coralie Fargeat
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Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz
Jen
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-
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Guillaume Bouchède
Dimitri
Before reaching international fame with one of the most shocking body horrors of the last few years, the acclaimed director of The Substance debuted on the big screen with an equally captivating story. Revenge is a gripping tale of survival, violence, and payback. The movie follows Jen, a woman who, after being sexually assaulted by three men and left for dead in the desert, embarks on a quest to seek revenge against them.
Coralie Fargeat created a feminist manifesto, delivering a visually striking and emotionally devastating story that simultaneously angers, entertains, and satisfies. There is an unapologetic, raw brutality that perfectly matches the aggressive energy of the narrative. Considering she was relatively new to the industry, Fargeat made extremely bold creative decisions, subverting expectations and refusing to let her characters and plot twists be defined by traditional tropes. This same courage would later define her future 2024 masterpiece.
8
Talk To Me (2022)
Danny & Michael Philippou
7/10
- Release Date
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July 28, 2023
- Runtime
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94 minutes
- Director
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Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou
Not many people might have expected that a debut feature from two Australian YouTube filmmakers would become one of the best horrors of the 2020s. However, Talk to Me speaks for itself. Danny & Michael Philippou, alternatively known by their stage name RackaRacka, took the world by surprise when they delivered a thrilling supernatural story about a group of teenagers attempting to contact spirits using a mysterious embalmed hand.
The main character is a teenager who gradually descends into obsession in order to reach out to her deceased mother.
The movie, however, is much more than a scary tale whispered in the dark. It adopts classic horror elements like sinister objects and a haunting scenography to explore deeper themes of grief and addiction. The main character is a teenager who gradually descends into obsession in order to reach out to her deceased mother. The Philippou twins have successfully crafted a powerful story that evokes a wide range of emotions, from terror to pain, creating a work that is both entertaining and emotionally profound.
7
The Witch (2015)
Directed By Robert Eggers
It is surprising to think that one of the most blood-curdling horror movies of the last decade was produced by a relatively new director. Although Robert Eggers had prior experience in short films and worked as a costume designer, taking on a project like The Witch as a solo director was incredibly audacious. Yet, horror enthusiasts are undoubtedly grateful, as he delivered a folklore masterpiece that immediately became a classic.
The Witch is a haunting portrayal of a Puritan family in a remote area of 16th-century New England, as their faith begins to unravel when an evil force starts preying upon them. The movie possesses an eerie quality, resembling a decadent fairy tale. The beautiful visuals do not sacrifice the social critique investigating the darker facets of religious extremism and hysteria. Despite his limited experience, Eggers succeeded in subtly startling the viewer through an oppressive atmosphere and the unseen terror instead of jump scares. This debut, along with his future work, established him as a horror master.
6
Cam (2018)
Directed By Daniel Goldhaber
Cam is an underrated, hidden gem in the subgenre of social horror. The movie explores the world of webcam pornography, as the protagonist, Alice / Lola, finds her account has been stolen by a mysterious doppelgänger who hijacks her channel. Despite receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews, the movie has not garnered as much discussion as it deserves, which is unfortunate given its societal relevance. Additionally, the film is even more impressive if one considers that it marks Daniel Goldhaber’s directorial debut.
Goldhaber skillfully explores the more sinister side of web pornography, bringing to the screen an incredibly unsettling yet thought-provoking story.
The movie’s atmosphere, filled with tension and anxiety, keeps the viewers on edge throughout. Although it may seem to veer into fantasy territory, there is a chilling realism to the plot. It serves as a metaphorical exploration of identity and the dangers of the digital age. Goldhaber probably has a brilliant future in the horror genre.
5
Raw (2017)
Directed By Julia Ducournau
Few debut films have been as strikingly disturbing and intriguing as Raw. Julia Ducournau, a French director now known for her work in the body horror subgenre, certainly left the public simultaneously shocked, disgusted, and fascinated when this 2016 gem premiered. The story follows a young woman, Justine, a lifelong vegetarian who, after being pressured into trying meat for the first time in college, develops an insatiable craving for human flesh.
Raw is unapologetic and unashamed in its graphic intensity, appealing directly to devoted fans of the body horror genre. Despite being her debut, Ducournau refused to shy away from uncomfortable visuals and an unsettling narrative—a boldness required of many directors. However, the film also possesses a striking psychological depth, blending its grotesque imagery with a powerful coming-of-age arc.
4
The Babadook (2014)
Directed By Jennifer Kent
8/10
- Release Date
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November 28, 2014
- Runtime
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94 Minutes
- Director
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Jennifer Kent
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Noah Wiseman
Samuel Vanek
Among the many horrors that marked the history of cinema, The Babadook is one of the most emotionally haunting and heartfelt to come alive on the big screen. The movie is the feature debut of Jennifer Kent and was inspired by her previous short story Monster, developed nine years earlier. Despite coming from the brilliant mind of a then-unknown director from Australia, The Babadook carved out its own significant place in the film landscape.
Kent effortlessly bridges the gap between the inner demons that torment our minds and the ones that lurk under our beds.
The movie features a grieving single mother and her son, Samuel, who begin experiencing terrifying occurrences tied to an ominous figure from a children’s book known as the Babadook. However, they refuse to be helpless victims. This horror utilizes mythical monsters from children’s literature to delve into themes of loss, despair, and loneliness. Kent effortlessly bridges the gap between the inner demons that torment our minds and the ones that lurk under our beds.
3
The Bird With The Crystal Plumage (1970)
Directed By Dario Argento
There is a reason why Dario Argento has become one of the most renowned figures in the horror panorama. His first film, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, was an instant success, showcasing his exceptional talent for unsettling audiences and manipulating their perceptions. His debut welcomed the world into the intriguing world of the Italian giallo, delivering an exciting mix of mystery, psychological tension, and horror elements.
The​​​​ movie follows an American writer in Rome who, after witnessing a crime scene, begins to investigate a series of murders targeting young women. Despite being his first feature, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage illustrated Argento’s visual storytelling and intricate narrative building. The film features the signature aesthetic that would later come to define his work, with his games of lighting and deceptive visuals, accompanied by Ennio Morricone’s evocative score. It is no surprise that Argento would later deliver one of the greatest Giallo in cinema history with Deep Red.
2
Saw (2004)
Directed By James Wan
4/10
- Release Date
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October 29, 2004
- Runtime
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103 minutes
- Director
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James Wan
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Leigh Whannell
Adam Faulkner-Stanheight
Its critical reception might have been slightly more mixed than positive, but Saw quickly cemented itself as a genre-defining masterpiece, setting off one of the most beloved franchises in the cinema industry. Therefore, it might come as a surprise to many to realize that the film was the directorial feature debut of James Wan. In 2004, a then-unknown filmmaker established the beginning of a legacy that would forever define the horror landscape.
Through a non-linear narrative and the shifting perspectives of the two unfortunate main characters, Saw immerses the viewer into the mystery of the Jigsaw killer, a sadistic criminal who forces his victims into life-or-death mind games. Their survival depends on them solving the most absurd mental puzzles. With gruesome traps, ethical queries, and cerebral dilemmas, the movie is a perfect blend of gore and intellectual narrative. That was only the beginning for Wan, however, who later earned international fame as a horror maestro with masterpieces like The Conjuring films.
1
The Evil Dead (1981)
Directed By Sam Raimi
The Evil Dead
- Release Date
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September 10, 1981
- Runtime
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85 minutes
It is no surprise that the man who introduced a nightmarish element to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, started his career with a horror movie. On the other hand, the fans who mainly remember him for his extraordinary work on Spider-Man’s iconic 2000s trilogy might be taken aback. The Evil Dead, an independent supernatural horror, was immediately welcomed with positive reviews when it premiered and grew to become a cult classic over the years.
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The movie follows a group of five friends who travel to a remote cabin in the woods, only to unknowingly unleash a demonic force by playing an old audio tape. Sam Raimi produced a gritty and chaotic emotional roller coaster that manages to startle and terrify the viewer with its outrageous gore and dark humor. The Evil Dead went on to inspire many horror movies and opened the door for a successful franchise.
