Since 2019 left a legacy for horror movies, fans of the genre have high hopes for 2020. There are many horror movies set to release in the coming months, and while a number of them will likely be forgotten and buried, several look to have a lot of potential.
2020 will probably be a good year for some good scares, especially of the psychological sort. There’s a number of psychological thrillers slated for 2020, as the genre gains popularity due to such recent classics as Hereditary and Jordan Peele’s Us. Let’s take a look at some of the most promising psychological horror movies to come in 2020.
Last Night In Soho
Last Night In Soho was originally scheduled for worldwide release in late 2019 but has since been moved to September of 2020. The film is arguably one of the most promising movies to come out this year, with a unique premise and a well-known cast, including Anya Taylor-Joy (New Mutants) and Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit).
We don’t know that much about Last Night In Soho yet, but it’s supposed to have elements of time travel and is inspired by fellow British horror films such as Don’t Look Now (1973).
Antebellum
Antebellum appears as though it will be quite a genre-bending film, most likely weaving together elements of psychological horror, mystery, drama, and suspense. The film is set to be released worldwide in April.
It stars Janelle Monae, Jena Malone, and Gabourey Sidibe, among other well-known actors. Antebellum will be about a successful author who suddenly finds herself living in the slavery-era south.
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things
If you’ve ever read an Iain Reid novel, you probably know what level of trippiness and drama to expect from the upcoming adaptation of I’m Thinking Of Ending Things. The film is set to be released in mid-way through 2020 on Netflix. It is directed by the writer of the beloved Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004).
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things is not said to be a full-on horror movie, as the drama aspects will most likely take the spotlight, but there are definitely supposed to be some psychologically terrifying aspects of it.
The Conjuring 3
The Conjuring 3 is easily one of the most anticipated horror movies of 2020 since both of its predecessors have been so memorable and well-received. Not every Conjuring franchise film is good or even watchable, but the Conjuring movies themselves never lack good quality.
The Conjuring 3 will be based on the Devil Made Me Do It case that the Warrens investigated back in the 1980s. The third instalment of the Conjuring film series has a lot of promise in both the supernatural and psychological horror departments.
The Empty Man
The Empty Man is set to be released in August and was adapted from a graphic novel of the same name by Vanesa R. Del Rey. The film is directed by David Prior in his first feature film and stars James Badge Dale (The Kitchen) and Samantha Logan (Polaroid) among others.
The premise of this film, as released by 20th Century Fox, states that The Empty Man is about an ex-cop who goes searching for a missing girl and discovers a supernatural entity.
The Orchard
The Orchard, also known as Hunter’s Moon, is set to be released in March of 2020. It was written and directed by Michael Caissie, who previously worked on TV movies and series in the crew department. This is his first feature film.
The Orchard is said to be about a sheriff who makes a strange discovery when he responds to a call from three teenage girls who have just been attacked.
Candyman
The original Candyman film was released in 1992 and has since left its legacy in the horror genre. There have since been numerous stabs taken at giving the franchise and the deadly Candyman monster a reboot, but none have really stuck.
However, now that it’s Jordan Peele serving as a producer for this remake, fans of this lore are more excited than ever. Though the first Candyman film was very much a slasher, Peele’s version looks as if it will focus much more on the eerie, psychological aspect.
Run
Run is set to be released this may and promisingly stars Sarah Paulson as the lead. The film was directed by Aneesh Chaganty, who made his film debut in 2018 with the sleeper hit Searching. With all this in mind, Run definitely sounds like it has a lot of promise.
Run is about a home-schooled girl who lives under the shadow of her overbearing mother until she discovers that her mother has been keeping a dark secret. Sarah Paulson is set to portray the mother in this film, while Kiera Allen will portray the daughter.
A Quiet Place Part II
A Quiet Place made quite the impression when it hit theatres in 2018, and it took no time at all for director John Krasinski to announce a sequel. A Quiet Place Part II will be released in March of 2020, just two years after the first film. The sequel will star the main cast from the first film - Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmons, and Noah Jupe - while Krasinski will resume hit position as the writer/director.
From trailers, it seems that A Quiet Place Part II picks up pretty close to where the first film left off, with the Abbott family fighting not only to survive but to beat the monsters. The sequel will also introduce at least one new character, played by Cillian Murphy.
Antlers
Antlers was originally scheduled for release in December of 2019 but has since been moved to April of 2020. The film is categorized as being a mystery/horror film, but by the looks of the trailer and other promotional material, Antlers will definitely have a notable psychological aspect to it. The film was adapted from Nick Antosca’s short story, The Quiet Boy. Alongside director Scott Cooper and C. Henry Chaisson, Antosca co-wrote the screenplay.
Antlers will star Jesse Plemons and Keri Russell as its leads and was produced by Guillermo Del Toro, which makes it a very highly anticipated film.
