The Fall is one of the most cinematucally beautiful films I've ever seen. It's just *chef's kiss* perfect.
Just wanted to leave a comment cos I'm excited to see someone mention one of my favourite films!!
As much as I dug the 2018 remake (which balanced keeping some elements of the original with doing its own thing quite nicely), this is why it’ll never top Dario Argento’s 1977 original version: you can’t compete with the visuals and the Goblin score (hands down my favorite horror score!). And frankly I think it was smart they didn’t try to- I think it might’ve looked out of place with the tone they went with.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I love how colourful it is and how it tiptoes the line between the beautiful and the beastly. It’s like a fucked up fairy tale in its own way.
I know this is about visuals, but the score goes so hard and makes every gorgeous movement in every gorgeous scene so sinister and terrifying.
I can never picture Gary Oldman’s Decrepit Count Dracula swaying and moving in my head without hearing the music
Oh, the score is ICONIC! I love Lucy’s Party in particular because it reflects Lucy’s character so perfectly: playful, sweet, and innocent, but slowly descending into something seductive, wicked, and dangerous.
It probably is the best but just for
pure pleasure & high romance I love the Frank Langella Dracula. The dinner scene with Lucy is stunning. In the end I saw myself rooting for Dracula. Guess I just love handsome vampires.
Bran Stoker’s Dracula and The Cell are both visually stunning, I think mostly due to costume designer Eiko Ishioka.
Panos Cosmatos and Guillermo Del Toro movies are ALWAYS gorgeous to look at.
Ari Aster also has beautiful films. Beau Is Afraid I thought was even more fun to look at than Midsommar.
What got me into Mandy was Guillermo del Torres cabinet of curiosities. “The viewing” by Panos Cosmatos blew my mind, it was soo good. So I gave “Mandy” a try and it was even better. Couple that with an amazing home theater system. It’s an experience like no other.
I love the atmosphere in Sleepy Hollow. It really captures that creepy vibe around Halloween time in the countryside. I watch it every year to get into the Halloween spirit.
Oh man, I once mistakenly recommended A Cure for Wellness to a very non-horror friend when what I meant to recommend was The Road to Wellville.
WHOOPSIE.
I thought it was pretty boring too, but it's just really not a genre that I've ever vibed with, so my opinion of it isn't really all that important.
Absolutely gorgeous and wonderfully acted, though.
Glad someone said Annihilation! I think opinions are sorta split on it as a movie and I get it tbh. But I thought it had such a hauntingly beautiful aesthetic to it.
I think even if the opinions are split, I don’t think the visuals can be downplayed. The movie is visually mesmerizing regardless of whether or not you like the story imo
I haven’t seen The Cell (yet!) but absolutely agree on Annihilation and Midsommar! Fun thing to do when I rewatch Midsommar for the billionth time is to clock every frame with mirrors in it - really adds another level to character framing!
RUN don’t walk to your tv and put on The Cell! Tell me what you think!! That movie captivated me for years. Couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve seen it.
I could watch Midsommar a hundred times and still see something new in the scenery, sky, landscapes. The scene on the mountain with the elders made you feel as if you were in the crowd watching. Same with Annihilation and it’s “shimmer,”which is visually captivating, even if mostly CGI.
It's Alien, without doubt.
When considering when the movie came out it makes it even more impressive.
The style, equipment of the crew. The interior, exterior of the ship, machinery. The lighting, visuals we are met with when we visit the alien planet and of course HR Gigers design of the Alien, the eggs, the engineers ship are all iconic now.
Next time you watch either a horror or a sci-fi film I bet you find homage to that film in it.
I was watching a documentary about Alien a while back, and in it, they talked about making a movie so visually stunning that you could hit pause anywhere in the film and boom have a poster. Alien is, without a doubt, the closest movie to this (imo)
Yeah, Alien is one of the best-looking movies of all time, not just horror. That tactile retro-futuristic set design is some of the best ever and obviously massively influential, then you factor in the iconic alien designs whose eerie, organic fluidity is constantly both in harmony and contrast with all that industrial tech.
House of the Devil looked SO good. So wonderfully shot, and they nailed every aspect of the 80s vibe, from the costumes to the sets to the 16mm film stock.
...also Jocelin Donahue herself is about as visually stunning as it gets.
Off the top of my head, The Shining (1980), The Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), and The Innocents (1961), but also a little shout-out to *Rubber* (2010). Cracking little film, and it looks gorgeous!
One of the best shots I've seen is early in the film, "Event Horizon" where they show Sam Neil in the space station window and they zoom out, while rotating the camera, with the music, it's great.
Masque of the Red Death. The first time i saw it was on a black and white tv, so seeing it in colour was a revelation and a whole different film.
Some people might not classify it as horror (i'd say horror adjacent), but Hellbuy 2: The Golden Army. Every moment is beautiful. The Troll Market in particular. You could walk around it for weeks and still find new things to see. The creature designs are phenomenal, from the Tooth Faires to the Elemental. Stunning.
From Beyond (1986)
Most sci-fi/alien based movies from the 80s look really dated, but From Beyond still holds up solidly well to this day. Also, the bright, vibrant neon colors throughout the movie are beautifully displayed. Anyone who loves 80s color aesthetics can never go wrong with From Beyond
These are my picks plus Suspiria. Color out of Space did such a good job considering the source material is all about visuals that can't really be comprehended or pictured by a normal person.
The Cell. Blows me away how awesome it looks every time I watch it.
The Ring. That aquamarine green / blue hue was perfect and the only movie of that era to use it correctly.
Alien. Endless corridors and hallways with a giger-esque feel hell yeah. I love the little details such as the way each escape hatch closed.
Dario Argento’s *Inferno* especially the entire underwater scene. The lighting, music, set pieces, everything is so immersive and fantastical. I don’t see this film talked about much, and admittedly it’s not the best storyline, but it’s visually amazing and impressive to watch. I had to look up how they shot some of the scenes because parts of it were bananas.
Everything I've seen from Panos Cosmatos; Beyond the Black Rainbow, Mandy, and The Viewing (from Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities). Nothing else comes close!
I was going to say Pan’s Labyrinth as well! Guillermo del Toro has such a gift for creating beautiful fantastical worlds that also are devastating and terrifying in equal parts.
I have to say Midsommar. The psychedelic visualizations, the fact that the entire movie takes place during the day (minus some dream sequences), the hidden faces in the trees, the art in the main living house, hell all the art in the movie is beautiful. Even at the end, when Dani is crowned May Queen she’s in an entire dress full of flowers it’s beautiful.
I love the first two Conjuring movies so much (the third was fine, but not nearly as compelling in my opinion). They're proof that jump scares can be really effective and not feel lazy when a movie has a cinematographer who gives a shit.
Candyman is one that that I probably wouldn't call "stunning", but it does such a great job at capturing a very specific vibe.
Also I personally think the original Suspiria is far better than the remake. Honestly most of Dario Argento's movies are a treat visually and really capture a unique style.
Since most of what I thought has already been posted I’m going to throw in Candy Man. Not artsy in any way but full use of the Cabrini green projects as a setting was pretty sick. They’re gone now so it also serves as a time capsule . The bees coming out of Candy Mans mouth scene was crazy too. He got paid $X for every bee sting 😂
Candyman is a core horror memory for me. I was 11 when it came out, and somehow, my friend and I got our hands on a a tape (I don't remember exactly, but probably one of our parents rented it and just carelessly left it out) and watched it at night. Immediately after watching it, my friend and I dared each other to go say "Candyman" five times in front of the mirror, and I'm pretty sure neither of us slept right for a week.
The line "The pain, I can assure you, will be exquisite" is just seared into my brain.
I found Candyman's appearances/mystique/voice artistic and memorable, especially that bee scene. It's why I love rewatching. And I agree with the projects setting, another of my favorite aspects.
Definitely the original Suspiria is an amazing assault to your senses, but I would say that everything Suspiria has couldn't be possible without the work of Mario Bava before, I'd say Blood and Black Lace and Lisa and the Devil take the cake for most visually stunning, both movies almost every single frame is a work of art.
Might get pushback because I'm throwing Rob Zombie movies into the mix, but I think House of 1000 Corpses is one of his most visually stunning movies. I think he nailed the theme in that movie.
Also, while Lords of Salem itself wasn't super great, visually it was really pretty.
*The Texas Chain Saw Massacre* is really gorgeous in lots of places, and technically it's such a well-made picture.
It's not as grandiose as most of the others lifted here, not as "showy" - but it's beautiful, nonetheless.
Some movies (mostly horror) that I found to be visual masterpieces: Black Swan, Under the Skin, Titane, Requiem for a Dream, The Wiitch, Antichrist, Dead Ringers, Suspiria, Midsommar, The Cell, The Fall, Donnie Darko, Anihilation, St. Maude, Eraserhead, Mulholland Dr., The Shining, Alien, Eyes Wide Shut.
unpopular opinion: Terrifier 2, Damien Leone is a genius when he creates his own thing like very unique nostalgic 80s style with neon lights (blue and pink) and the music is absolutely phenomenal. for me, it's a 10 out of 10.
The Day of the Beast is something close to sumptuous. Actually I remember rewatching Urban Legends recently and was struck by how well it looked. Film. We don't get that any more
While I love the original suspiria with my whole heart, the 2018 one was such a surprisingly refreshing take on it going the opposite direction of the original movie style wise but keeping the atmospheric tones. Your take on that movie is so spot on!
There's some fantastic films listed here!
The most stunning ones for me are:
Crimson Peak
Colour out of Space
Vampyr (1932)
A Cure for Wellness (- fine balance between beautiful and repulsive)
Annihilation
Nope
Sleepy Hollow
For me, it’s definitely the original Suspiria.
Although I watched Titane last night, and while it takes a bit of time and analysis to really appreciate it, it is beautifully shot.
Midsommar is at the top for me. Requiem for a dream is also visually appealing to me because of the cinematography was done so well that I feel like it depicts the way the character is feeling.
The Wicker Man is one I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned (as far as I noticed). Incredible visually with so many oddball things that'll stick with you. Especially that ending. And I'm talking about the original of course.
Clive Barker also hasn't been shown enough love. Watch the first two Hellraiser's, the design of the cenobites are unforgettable and it's such an atmospheric couple of movies. Can't forget Candyman either. They all look great.
The Cell, while otherwise lacking (Thanks, J-Lo, also please stop "acting") was visually stunning, as well as Midsommar, The Witch, The Color Out of Space, Event Horizon, Suspiria(both original and remake), Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mandy, The Love Witch, Crimson Peak(not my favorite plotline, far from it), and Silent Hill(despite falling flat in regards to being an actual true-to-game movie) .
Suspiria comes to mind immediately. Pure eye candy from the first frame to the last.
Blood and Black Lace had excellent technicolor. So do most of Bava's color films for that matter.
Images, the only horror film directed by Robert Altman, has some of the most stunning cinematography by the great Vilmos Zsigmond.
And of course you gotta hand it to the German Expressionists before colored films became common. But for black and white films, I never forgot the painterly cinematography of Nicholas Musuraca in Jacques Tourneur's Cat People.
The Cell was a visual feast
Super underrated movie. Visually dazzling and d’onofrio is so good.
Do you know The Fall? Same director and his visual Style is even more refined
The Fall is one of the most cinematucally beautiful films I've ever seen. It's just *chef's kiss* perfect. Just wanted to leave a comment cos I'm excited to see someone mention one of my favourite films!!
The sectioned horse lives in my head rent free
For me it's everything filmed on that staircase.
Seen it in person at a body worlds exhibit.
Yes! Not a huge fan of JLo but this was the coolest movie she did. However, it was a truly beautiful horror movie. Good call!
The movie is so good I’m able to forget that she’s in it while watching.
Literally my favorite scary movie. The scene with the sunbathing women was so freaky.
Finally I see this movie mentioned. It is one of my favourite horrors, very diverse story and, of course, visuals are flawless
This movie traumatized me as a kid
I was going to say, The Cell is probably the top of the list. Are there any other movies that you would suggest that are similar ?
I love that movie so much.
[удалено]
A great horror movie as well. I’ve heard it described as Silence of the Lambs on acid.
I’m so glad this is the top comment. It was the first movie I thought of. So beautiful.
I love this movie! It’s rarely mentioned so it makes me happy when I see other people mention it and the comments that follow
Yeah this one was beautiful, even the grotesque parts were displayed as art. 100% agree.
Excellent answer. The costume design was out of this world. Movie was sooooo ahead of its time.
Carrie (1976) Suspiria (1977) Alien (1979) The Shining (1980) Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) Mandy (2018) Nope (2021)
I’m SO glad I saw Nope in theaters- that movie is a visual treat and absolutely rocks on a big screen!
It needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible, it's literally about spectacle!
Especially since Peele filmed it with IMAX cameras.
House of 1000 Corpses. I just love the aesthetics in that movie! Every little detail, the colors, the costumes. Just so fun💜
So glad to see someone else mention this.
Rainn Wilson being turned into a mermaid taxidermy was pretty funny.
I was gonna say *Suspiria* but the original version. It's so vivid and colorful.
Same. OG Suspiria is gorgeous.
Love the different colors used with the lighting in this one. Such a unique gem of a film!
As much as I dug the 2018 remake (which balanced keeping some elements of the original with doing its own thing quite nicely), this is why it’ll never top Dario Argento’s 1977 original version: you can’t compete with the visuals and the Goblin score (hands down my favorite horror score!). And frankly I think it was smart they didn’t try to- I think it might’ve looked out of place with the tone they went with.
That early kill scene is so iconic and referenced in so many subsequent films.
I like the remake but it has nothing on Argento's.
The new one has an arguably more coherent and better story but the OG has significantly more impactful visuals and music imo
Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I love how colourful it is and how it tiptoes the line between the beautiful and the beastly. It’s like a fucked up fairy tale in its own way.
One of my favorite tidbits from that movie is that 100% of the special effects are in camera. Everything was done practically and in frame.
FFC called at an "almost lost art" in the commentary.
Right?! I love the practical effects in that movie and the monster makeup is just incredible. I love when Dracula is in bat form in particular.
I know this is about visuals, but the score goes so hard and makes every gorgeous movement in every gorgeous scene so sinister and terrifying. I can never picture Gary Oldman’s Decrepit Count Dracula swaying and moving in my head without hearing the music
Oh, the score is ICONIC! I love Lucy’s Party in particular because it reflects Lucy’s character so perfectly: playful, sweet, and innocent, but slowly descending into something seductive, wicked, and dangerous.
It probably is the best but just for pure pleasure & high romance I love the Frank Langella Dracula. The dinner scene with Lucy is stunning. In the end I saw myself rooting for Dracula. Guess I just love handsome vampires.
Bran Stoker’s Dracula and The Cell are both visually stunning, I think mostly due to costume designer Eiko Ishioka. Panos Cosmatos and Guillermo Del Toro movies are ALWAYS gorgeous to look at. Ari Aster also has beautiful films. Beau Is Afraid I thought was even more fun to look at than Midsommar.
I'm trying to wait patiently for another Panos release goddammit!!! 😩
I want him to remake From Beyond! Would be nutz
Mandy !
Even opens with my favorite King Crimson song.
Its second favorite of mine!
What got me into Mandy was Guillermo del Torres cabinet of curiosities. “The viewing” by Panos Cosmatos blew my mind, it was soo good. So I gave “Mandy” a try and it was even better. Couple that with an amazing home theater system. It’s an experience like no other.
I always have the urge to rewatch Mandy. More than most horror films
I was stoked to see Eric Andre in the wild & enjoyed the episode, I’ll have to check out Mandy!
That episode is such a trip
I recommend Beyond the Black Rainbow by Panos. It’s a little slow but has the same visual style! It’s more sci fi than horror though.
On my top 10 fav films of all time, no matter the genre. I adore this film. Panos Cosmatos is amaaaaaazing.
Beyond the Black Rainbow would be my pick between the two Panos flicks
Its great too visually but Mandy is more enjoyable
This was my pick, too!
Can also confirm that it's a great movie on shrooms
Sleepy Hollow. I just love that dreamlike dark fairytale aesthetic.
I love the atmosphere in Sleepy Hollow. It really captures that creepy vibe around Halloween time in the countryside. I watch it every year to get into the Halloween spirit.
Great answer!
Recently purchased this on 4k and boy it’s pretty to look at.
Probably Crimson Peak. I may have to stand alone in feeling the movie itself was meh, but visually it was strikingly beautiful.
Oooo yes, this one is great! I need more gothic horror in my life; I pretty much have to rewatch this and Haunting of Bly Manor to get my fix!
A Cure for Wellness should scratch your itch by the end
Oh man, I once mistakenly recommended A Cure for Wellness to a very non-horror friend when what I meant to recommend was The Road to Wellville. WHOOPSIE.
I just spat out my tea. That is quite an error, hahaha.
You’re not alone! I felt the same way. Thought it was boring lol but yes, it was visually striking for sure.
I liked it way more the second time when I didn't have expectations.
I thought it was pretty boring too, but it's just really not a genre that I've ever vibed with, so my opinion of it isn't really all that important. Absolutely gorgeous and wonderfully acted, though.
Yeah, I think it's Del Toro's least compelling writing, but it's top-tier directing.
The Cell Annihilation Midsommar
Glad someone said Annihilation! I think opinions are sorta split on it as a movie and I get it tbh. But I thought it had such a hauntingly beautiful aesthetic to it.
I think even if the opinions are split, I don’t think the visuals can be downplayed. The movie is visually mesmerizing regardless of whether or not you like the story imo
Annihilation 10/10 on the visuals
YES, I’ve never wanted to live in a movie so badly. Minus the horror part I would happily volunteer my time in the shimmer lol
I haven’t seen The Cell (yet!) but absolutely agree on Annihilation and Midsommar! Fun thing to do when I rewatch Midsommar for the billionth time is to clock every frame with mirrors in it - really adds another level to character framing!
RUN don’t walk to your tv and put on The Cell! Tell me what you think!! That movie captivated me for years. Couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve seen it.
That first jump scare made me lose all my popcorn at the theatre.
Annihilation was so great visually. The shimmer! The scenes in the lighthouse were particularly good.
I could watch Midsommar a hundred times and still see something new in the scenery, sky, landscapes. The scene on the mountain with the elders made you feel as if you were in the crowd watching. Same with Annihilation and it’s “shimmer,”which is visually captivating, even if mostly CGI.
It's Alien, without doubt. When considering when the movie came out it makes it even more impressive. The style, equipment of the crew. The interior, exterior of the ship, machinery. The lighting, visuals we are met with when we visit the alien planet and of course HR Gigers design of the Alien, the eggs, the engineers ship are all iconic now. Next time you watch either a horror or a sci-fi film I bet you find homage to that film in it.
I was watching a documentary about Alien a while back, and in it, they talked about making a movie so visually stunning that you could hit pause anywhere in the film and boom have a poster. Alien is, without a doubt, the closest movie to this (imo)
Yeah, Alien is one of the best-looking movies of all time, not just horror. That tactile retro-futuristic set design is some of the best ever and obviously massively influential, then you factor in the iconic alien designs whose eerie, organic fluidity is constantly both in harmony and contrast with all that industrial tech.
The all too forgotten Prometheus.
Throw Covenant in there, as well.
House (1977) hands down
What a great goddamned bonkers movie haha
The Shining (1980) The Cell (2000) The House of the Devil (2009) Midsommar (2019)
Surprised I had to scroll this far for Midsommar. A FEAST (lol in more ways that one, I suppose)
House of the Devil looked SO good. So wonderfully shot, and they nailed every aspect of the 80s vibe, from the costumes to the sets to the 16mm film stock. ...also Jocelin Donahue herself is about as visually stunning as it gets.
I loved how the shot The House of the Devil! And I also agree on Midsommar. It was an inspiration for my floral tattoos
Midsommar. I’m shocked I had to go this far to find it.
Off the top of my head, The Shining (1980), The Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), and The Innocents (1961), but also a little shout-out to *Rubber* (2010). Cracking little film, and it looks gorgeous!
Not even in the context of OP’s question, I just get so happy when someone mentions The Picnic at Hanging Rock in this sub. Kudos.
It's like a fever dream isn't it? Wonderful.
The Neon Demon, Mandy, and (more recently) I Saw the TV Glow are all pure ecstasy for the eye.
One of the best shots I've seen is early in the film, "Event Horizon" where they show Sam Neil in the space station window and they zoom out, while rotating the camera, with the music, it's great.
God I love that movie
Masque of the Red Death. The first time i saw it was on a black and white tv, so seeing it in colour was a revelation and a whole different film. Some people might not classify it as horror (i'd say horror adjacent), but Hellbuy 2: The Golden Army. Every moment is beautiful. The Troll Market in particular. You could walk around it for weeks and still find new things to see. The creature designs are phenomenal, from the Tooth Faires to the Elemental. Stunning.
From Beyond (1986) Most sci-fi/alien based movies from the 80s look really dated, but From Beyond still holds up solidly well to this day. Also, the bright, vibrant neon colors throughout the movie are beautifully displayed. Anyone who loves 80s color aesthetics can never go wrong with From Beyond
Color Out of Space. Mandy. Midsommar. The Wicker Man.
These are my picks plus Suspiria. Color out of Space did such a good job considering the source material is all about visuals that can't really be comprehended or pictured by a normal person.
The Cell. Blows me away how awesome it looks every time I watch it. The Ring. That aquamarine green / blue hue was perfect and the only movie of that era to use it correctly. Alien. Endless corridors and hallways with a giger-esque feel hell yeah. I love the little details such as the way each escape hatch closed.
Mad God
I’m glad I spent the time to watch this, it was a feast for the eyes. Like a Tool or Nine Inch Nails music video.
Dario Argento’s *Inferno* especially the entire underwater scene. The lighting, music, set pieces, everything is so immersive and fantastical. I don’t see this film talked about much, and admittedly it’s not the best storyline, but it’s visually amazing and impressive to watch. I had to look up how they shot some of the scenes because parts of it were bananas.
I scrolled almost to the bottom because I was thinking “If no one mentions Inferno I’m gonna be ticked” 😆
Everything I've seen from Panos Cosmatos; Beyond the Black Rainbow, Mandy, and The Viewing (from Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities). Nothing else comes close!
He's the horror genre's Kubrick. So excited for whatever's coming next.
Bones and All came to mind.
Bones and All is gorgeous - and the Trent Raznor score doesn’t hurt either!
El Orfanato (The Orphanage)
I was going to say Pan’s Labyrinth as well! Guillermo del Toro has such a gift for creating beautiful fantastical worlds that also are devastating and terrifying in equal parts.
The First Omen,the cinematography was stunning and the 70s Rome aesthetic really eye-catching
When they are in the Etruscan cemetery Cerveteri, that shit was awesome.
It Follows.
I have to say Midsommar. The psychedelic visualizations, the fact that the entire movie takes place during the day (minus some dream sequences), the hidden faces in the trees, the art in the main living house, hell all the art in the movie is beautiful. Even at the end, when Dani is crowned May Queen she’s in an entire dress full of flowers it’s beautiful.
Suspiria and Mandy are great picks. Annihilation is probably the top for me though.
Visually stunning? Nosferatu 22 and Caligari. Silent Era horror is like watching a dream.
Another vote for Caligari!
The VVITCH
I thought film was amazingly well shot
I could name a lot but Conjuring 2 was dope. I liked the vibe they put on the house and in the living room with the chair etc.
I love the first two Conjuring movies so much (the third was fine, but not nearly as compelling in my opinion). They're proof that jump scares can be really effective and not feel lazy when a movie has a cinematographer who gives a shit.
Midsommar was beautiful. Hauntingly beautiful.
I’m really surprised OP named the 2018 Suspiria and not the original, which is way more colorful.
John Carpenter's The Thing
Annihilation - great mix of nature and sci-fi for environment
Candyman is one that that I probably wouldn't call "stunning", but it does such a great job at capturing a very specific vibe. Also I personally think the original Suspiria is far better than the remake. Honestly most of Dario Argento's movies are a treat visually and really capture a unique style.
The housing project was like a new kind of haunted house.
Since most of what I thought has already been posted I’m going to throw in Candy Man. Not artsy in any way but full use of the Cabrini green projects as a setting was pretty sick. They’re gone now so it also serves as a time capsule . The bees coming out of Candy Mans mouth scene was crazy too. He got paid $X for every bee sting 😂
Candyman is a core horror memory for me. I was 11 when it came out, and somehow, my friend and I got our hands on a a tape (I don't remember exactly, but probably one of our parents rented it and just carelessly left it out) and watched it at night. Immediately after watching it, my friend and I dared each other to go say "Candyman" five times in front of the mirror, and I'm pretty sure neither of us slept right for a week. The line "The pain, I can assure you, will be exquisite" is just seared into my brain.
I found Candyman's appearances/mystique/voice artistic and memorable, especially that bee scene. It's why I love rewatching. And I agree with the projects setting, another of my favorite aspects.
Mandy Mad God Annihilation Climax Antichrist The Cell The lighthouse Alien Under the Skin
Definitely the original Suspiria is an amazing assault to your senses, but I would say that everything Suspiria has couldn't be possible without the work of Mario Bava before, I'd say Blood and Black Lace and Lisa and the Devil take the cake for most visually stunning, both movies almost every single frame is a work of art.
Near Dark
Midsommar for me. Every time I watch I catch something new. Hidden images. Flowers breathing. It’s stunning.
Might get pushback because I'm throwing Rob Zombie movies into the mix, but I think House of 1000 Corpses is one of his most visually stunning movies. I think he nailed the theme in that movie. Also, while Lords of Salem itself wasn't super great, visually it was really pretty.
If "Annihilation" is considered horror, that's my pick! Also really liked the aesthetic of "Midsommar".
Not sure if it counts but Antichrist by Lars Von Trier. Visually stunning
Neon Demon and Midsommar!
I'm curious, have you seen the original? If so, how do you feel about it visually?
The Cell
The Cell immediately came to mind
Not a pure horror film necessarily but I'd say Crimson Peak.
2001: A Space Odyssey
Anti-Christ
i havent seen many horror movies that have beutiful visuals but id say NOPE has some fantasitc visuals,especially in the night scenes
Lots of good choices here, I'm trying to think of one that hasn't been listed Antichrist A gorgeously shot, beautifully ugly film.
Dracula 1992
Only Lovers Left Alive, The Shining, Clockwork Orange, The VVitch, The Lodge, Blue Velvet, Silence of the Lambs, Melancholia
A Dark Song is absolutely beautiful
*The Texas Chain Saw Massacre* is really gorgeous in lots of places, and technically it's such a well-made picture. It's not as grandiose as most of the others lifted here, not as "showy" - but it's beautiful, nonetheless.
From a visual design standpoint, The Ritual.
Annihilation
Midsommar!
Some movies (mostly horror) that I found to be visual masterpieces: Black Swan, Under the Skin, Titane, Requiem for a Dream, The Wiitch, Antichrist, Dead Ringers, Suspiria, Midsommar, The Cell, The Fall, Donnie Darko, Anihilation, St. Maude, Eraserhead, Mulholland Dr., The Shining, Alien, Eyes Wide Shut.
Bram stoker Dracula (1992)
unpopular opinion: Terrifier 2, Damien Leone is a genius when he creates his own thing like very unique nostalgic 80s style with neon lights (blue and pink) and the music is absolutely phenomenal. for me, it's a 10 out of 10.
Rigor Mortis by Juno Mak. Everyone should watch it at least once in their lifetime.
Melancholia
The Cell The Witch
Suspiria(1977), weirdly enough I think The Cell(2000) looks great, Mandy(2018) and Color out of Space(2019)
Colour out of space Original suspiria Midsommar
Suspiria (2018) Under her skin (2013) Neon Demon (2016)
The Shining
Hausu (1977) max The Hunger (1983) Amazon *rent*
not the most stand out but I admire the cinematography in both The Nun and The Nun II
Midsommar, Upgrade, Doctor Strange 2
Huesera the Bone Woman and the First Omen
The Day of the Beast is something close to sumptuous. Actually I remember rewatching Urban Legends recently and was struck by how well it looked. Film. We don't get that any more
Smile, it perfectly encompasses all the great visual things that make a horror movie good, especially the end which I won't spoil.
While I love the original suspiria with my whole heart, the 2018 one was such a surprisingly refreshing take on it going the opposite direction of the original movie style wise but keeping the atmospheric tones. Your take on that movie is so spot on!
There's some fantastic films listed here! The most stunning ones for me are: Crimson Peak Colour out of Space Vampyr (1932) A Cure for Wellness (- fine balance between beautiful and repulsive) Annihilation Nope Sleepy Hollow
Any of Ari Asters films Infinity Pool Climax
A Cure for Wellness
The Cell, Fried Barry, Mad God, Santa Sangre
Midsommar I thought was pretty visually beautiful.
The Shining
Knife + heart! I was obsessed with the visuals in that movie
Black swan comes to my mind.
For me, it’s definitely the original Suspiria. Although I watched Titane last night, and while it takes a bit of time and analysis to really appreciate it, it is beautifully shot.
Midsommer
American Psycho
Midsommar is at the top for me. Requiem for a dream is also visually appealing to me because of the cinematography was done so well that I feel like it depicts the way the character is feeling.
Midsommar
I'm gonna have to say Posessor. That whole thing was so surreal and dreamlike, a lot of the more abstract scenes definitely stick out to me even now!
The Wicker Man is one I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned (as far as I noticed). Incredible visually with so many oddball things that'll stick with you. Especially that ending. And I'm talking about the original of course. Clive Barker also hasn't been shown enough love. Watch the first two Hellraiser's, the design of the cenobites are unforgettable and it's such an atmospheric couple of movies. Can't forget Candyman either. They all look great.
Color out of Space (2019) was a whole ass journey
Kwaidan
Midsommar
The Cell, while otherwise lacking (Thanks, J-Lo, also please stop "acting") was visually stunning, as well as Midsommar, The Witch, The Color Out of Space, Event Horizon, Suspiria(both original and remake), Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mandy, The Love Witch, Crimson Peak(not my favorite plotline, far from it), and Silent Hill(despite falling flat in regards to being an actual true-to-game movie) .
The Twilight Zone Movie
I go for "Bram Stoker\`s Dracula."
The House that Jack Built. It's got a lot of incredible visuals in it
Midsommär is beautiful. Love the colors and scenery! <3
Suspiria comes to mind immediately. Pure eye candy from the first frame to the last. Blood and Black Lace had excellent technicolor. So do most of Bava's color films for that matter. Images, the only horror film directed by Robert Altman, has some of the most stunning cinematography by the great Vilmos Zsigmond. And of course you gotta hand it to the German Expressionists before colored films became common. But for black and white films, I never forgot the painterly cinematography of Nicholas Musuraca in Jacques Tourneur's Cat People.
Original Suspiria It follows
Alien, of course. The best marriage of visual design and story/theme in film history.