Horror fans tend to think the genre’s epicenter is the United States. Or specifically, Hollywood. This may be true in many regards, but one has to remember quantity does not always equal quality. There is no doubt the U.S. is responsible for some of the most iconic horror films to date, though.
Modern cinematic horror has found its way to numerous other parts of the world. This includes Germany, a West European country with a notable social and cultural history that a lot of outsiders know very little about. And perhaps a good place to start is these ten terrifying German horror filmes.
The Bunker (2015)
In this dark comedy, a student in need of a quiet place to study finds himself in a remote, underground home owned by an eccentric family. The man agrees to tutor their son, but upon closer inspection, he learns their darling child is not a little kid at all. No, he’s really an adult!
Weirdly enough, that aforesaid plot point is not the strangest thing going on in this slow burn. The Bunker touches upon cosmic horror whilst offering up some utterly uncomfortable moments that will make you want to seek shelter.
Cold Hell (2017)
A Turkish immigrant gets caught up in a terrible situation in the German-Austrian thriller Cold Hell (originally Die Hölle). In Vienna, Austria, the protagonist incidentally becomes a witness in a series of murders. As she reports the crime to the authorities, she paints a target sign on her back. Now, the culprit is out to silence her.
Cold Hell taps into elements that made Italian giallo films work. Ultimately, it shakes its horror premise and transforms into an actioner. Nonetheless, there are some genuine thrills to be found in this import.
Anatomy (2000)
After Paula wins a spot at an elite medical school, she stumbles upon a bizarre mystery that is rooted in the institution’s cryptic history. The more she intrudes on the past, the more danger she welcomes into her once normal life.
Anatomy (or Anatomie in German) is shaped like a standard slasher. This was obviously done as a way to capitalize on the success of Wes Craven’s Scream franchise. That being said, Anatomy eventually shirks the formula and goes for a conspiracy theory plot that is both unexpected and refreshing. There is also a sequel.
Laurin (1989)
A picturesque harbor town is at the center of this 1989 German-Hungarian film. In Laurin, a nine-year-old girl experiences haunting dreams at the turn of the century. Her disturbing visions appear to have a connection to local children gone missing without a trace in this village.
Laurin was originally filmed without sound before it was dubbed over with dialogue. This is why the audio might appear out of sync or just seem plain unusual. Many viewers agree this hidden gem’s lavish aesthetic offsets any of its glaring technical and narrative flaws.
The Nightmare (2015)
In the study of sleep, the word ’nightmare’ originates from the Old English word ‘mare,’ which applies to a creature in German mythology. A mare is said to ride on one’s chest as they sleep, which in turn spurs bad dreams. There is a famous Henry Fuseli painting based on this aptly called “The Nightmare.”
In the semi-related 2015 movie The Nightmare (German: Der Nachtmahr), one woman’s lifestyle of hard-partying has supernatural consequences that cannot be ignored. She soon becomes the target of what seems like a malevolent entity in her dreams.
Benny’s Video (1992)
Parents go to extreme lengths to protect their son in the disturbing thriller Benny’s Video. The eponymous teenager is intrigued by death and slaughter. He shows a video of a pig being slain to a peer, who he then murders. He films the act as well. When the parents uncover their boy’s crime, they do everything in their power to protect Benny.
Benny’s Video is a different breed of horror that will make you shudder with nary a ghost or demon in sight. The titular character’s unaware depravity is so startling that you may not be able to rewatch this film all too soon.
Schramm (1993)
One should not enter the madness that is Jörg Buttgereit’s Schramm without understanding what they are in store for. If you cannot handle senseless violence and an astonishing level of self-degradation, steer far away from this gory character study with arthouse aspects.
For those who are brave or simply curious, Schramm is the celluloid equivalent of a downward spiral spiked with a psychotic break. It is seedy and often unbearable to watch. To say one would derive pleasure from this kind of movie seems like a stretch as it’s more of a test of endurance than a source of entertainment.
The Curse (1988)
In this little-known German movie, a husband and wife and their daughter get lost in the mountains. They are forced to stay there overnight, which leads to unexplained occurrences. For one thing, the daughter discovers the dead body of a girl who looks just like her. Is there any escape from this mountain, which is said to bear a prophetic curse?
Der Fluch (or The Curse) is said to be ahead of its time, which is likely very true. It bears little to no special effects or jump scares. In fact, it’s more about atmosphere, which is a breath of fresh air for the most jaded horror fans.
Mute Witness (1995)
Although Mute Witness is a Russian-British-German co-production, its thrills are universal. In this 1995 film, Billy is a successful movie makeup artist who also happens to be mute. On a film set in Russia, she gets trapped behind the scenes one night. As she lies in silence, Billy watches the crew make a bona fide snuff film. Unfortunately for their witness, though, she’s now an enemy of the Russian mafia.
There has been a long debate about whether or not snuff films ever existed, but most chalk it up to being an urban legend. Mute Witness exploits the myth anyway. And the end result is a white-knuckled cat-and-mouse that still shocks today.
Funny Games (1997)
Michael Haneke returns with Benny’s Video actor Arno Frisch in tow. This German-language Austrian movie is a precursor to all the home invasion movies we are familiar with — and openly fear — today. In the 1997 film, a family’s visit to an idyllic lake home is interrupted by the arrival of two highly disturbed strangers. The parents and their son are ultimately tortured.
Funny Games is not for the faint of heart. Seriously. Do not take this warning with a grain of salt. Even the most cynical of us will find one moment in this controversial movie irrefutably horrifying.
If you like Naomi Watts, she and Tim Roth star in a shot-for-shot, English-language remake, also directed by Haneke.
