1. Society
Brian Yuzna’s directorial debut is a grotesque, satirical dive into Beverly Hills high society, where the ruling class literally feeds on the lower. This body horror gem from 1989 leverages incredible practical effects to create a truly sickening vision of wealth and privilege. It’s a wild, unapologetically weird ride that still feels sharp in its critique, making you question what's truly under the skin of the elite.
2. Tetsuo: The Iron Man
Shinya Tsukamoto’s industrial cyberpunk nightmare, *Tetsuo: The Iron Man* from 1989, is a relentless assault on the senses. Shot in stark black and white, this film blurs man and machine through aggressive stop-motion and visceral body horror. It’s a raw, primal scream against urban alienation and technological obsession, proving that independent cinema can still pack a devastating, unforgettable punch.
3. Starman
John Carpenter showed a different side with 1984’s *Starman*. This isn't his usual horror or action, but a surprisingly tender sci-fi romance. Jeff Bridges plays an alien learning humanity, guided by Karen Allen, on a road trip across America. It’s a beautiful, earnest film that captures a genuine sense of wonder and connection, a heartfelt counterpoint to the era's more cynical alien narratives.
4. Liquid Sky
A quintessential New Wave artifact, *Liquid Sky* from 1982 is a psychedelic journey through early 80s downtown New York. Tiny aliens feed on heroin-induced orgasms in a world of androgenous fashion, punk clubs, and Cold War paranoia. It’s visually striking, utterly bizarre, and a unique time capsule of a cultural moment. The film challenges gender norms and societal expectations with a truly alien perspective.
5. Come and See
Elem Klimov’s *Come and See* (1985) is not merely a war film; it's a harrowing, immersive descent into hell. Following a young boy through the Nazi occupation of Belarus, it graphically depicts the psychological and physical toll of atrocities. The film’s unflinching realism and dreamlike horror create an experience that’s deeply disturbing and profoundly anti-war, leaving an indelible, heartbreaking mark.
6. Anguish
This Spanish-American co-production from 1987, *Anguish*, is a clever, meta-horror experiment. It’s a film-within-a-film concept where a hypnotist commits murders, and the audience watching the movie in the theater also experiences his influence. It blurs the lines between fiction and reality, creating an unsettling, self-aware slasher that plays with audience perception before Scream ever thought to.
7. Withnail & I
Bruce Robinson's *Withnail & I* from 1987 is a bleakly hilarious British black comedy. It follows two unemployed, alcoholic actors on a disastrous "holiday by mistake" in the countryside. Richard E. Grant’s iconic performance as the perpetually outraged Withnail, coupled with endlessly quotable dialogue, makes it a cult classic. It’s a darkly funny, melancholic ode to a dying era and friendship.
8. Repo Man
Alex Cox’s *Repo Man* (1984) is pure 80s punk rock chaos. Emilio Estevez plays a young punk recruited into the absurd world of car repossession in Los Angeles, stumbling upon a government conspiracy involving aliens and a Chevrolet Malibu. It’s a wonderfully weird, darkly comedic, and surprisingly philosophical take on consumerism and alienation, all set to an iconic soundtrack.
9. The Cremator
From Czechoslovakia in 1969, *The Cremator* is a chilling psychological horror. Karel Roden plays a man who becomes increasingly obsessed with his work and Nazism’s ideology, leading him down a path of grotesque delusion. Its surreal visuals, unsettling atmosphere, and dark humor make it a unique and disturbing examination of fanaticism. It’s an art house masterpiece of creeping dread.
10. House
Nobuhiko Obayashi’s *House* (1977) is an utterly bonkers, psychedelic Japanese horror-comedy. Seven schoolgirls visit a haunted ancestral home, where reality bends and the supernatural runs rampant in wildly imaginative ways. It’s a visual feast of experimental filmmaking, blending animation, absurd effects, and genuine terror into an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind cinematic fever dream.
