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Across the landscape of modern filmmaking, a new wave of visionaries is pushing the limits of the horror film genre. From societal metaphors to visceral thrillers, these eight filmmakers are crafting memorable journeys that reimagine fear for a new era.

The Mind Behind Get Out

The filmmaker behind Get Out has developed pointed allegories exploring the dangers, subtleties, and contradictions of African American experience in the America. Peele's influence is evident from the sheer number of copycats, with the best within them nurtured by the filmmaker via his studio.

Robert Eggers

An expert explorer of the darkest pockets of the past, this creator of The Witch, The Lighthouse, and Nosferatu excels in revealing the alien facets of historical periods and depicting them devoid of modern-day alteration. His sinister historical explorations unlock gateways to insanity, longing, and elevation.

Jane Schoenbrun

The contemporary creator with their finger most attuned to the generation’s pulse, as attuned to the solitudes, and significant relationships, of an digitally-obsessed time. Channeling ideas of bonding and popular media through trans experiences and the history of physical terror, creations such as I Saw the TV Glow delve into the eeriest cracks of the self.

Damien Leone

Leone’s trilogy of Terrifier films is this decade's major scary movie triumph, proof that word of mouth can still produce true successes from skillfully made low-budget violence. More than the next Jason or Freddy, psychotic poster boy Art the Clown is proof that the public’s craving for blood – over-the-top, hilarious, unchecked – remains insatiable.

Blurrer of Realities

Merging the division between delusion and reality, with her works Saint Maud and Love Lies Bleeding, Glass has assembled a collection of driven protagonists driven to limits by the depth of their devotion to distorted beliefs. Given to surreal grand finales that question straightforward interpretations into question, her movies stay with you – though less like a pebble in your shoe than a nail in your foot.

Danny and Michael Philippou

Emerging from the humble origins of digital platform came a duo of siblings taking over the world with a zeitgeisty style of provocation. With their works Talk to Me and Bring Her Back, they created shocking displays in between realistic depictions of how today’s teenagers act. Aspiring directors pray to them as if they’re recently canonised saints.

Arthouse Horror Pioneer

The director's polished, allegory-driven blend of scary movie conventions with art film flourishes won her a prestigious award, the first time the festival gave its top prize to a scary film. Carrying the blood-soaked flag of the New French Extremity, the Titane director explores the cravings of the alienated to remarkable effect.

Na Hong-jin

One of the most exciting artists to come forth from the Asian continent in recent years, the Seoul-based creator has made one masterpiece of folk horror (The Wailing) and collaborated on one more (The Medium). Structured with total confidence and precise atmosphere crafting, his movies transforms mainstream formulas into terrifying, novel styles.

These directors represent the varied and creative future of the horror genre, pushing the boundaries of terror into fresh realms.