Psychedelic horror movies take viewers on a mind-bending journey, blending surreal visuals, disorienting narratives, and a sense of creeping dread that distorts reality itself. Unlike traditional horror movies, which rely on jump scares or straightforward terror, these movies are not just about fear but about experiencing terror on a surreal, often trippy level. These movies delve into the subconscious, creating nightmarish landscapes where the boundaries between reality and hallucination blur. From the neon-soaked vengeance of Mandy to the cosmic madness of Last Night in Soho, these movies immerse you in a hypnotic, sometimes hallucinatory atmosphere. If you are looking for horror that leaves you unsettled and questioning what’s real, these movies will surely transport you to otherworldly realms.
7 visually stunning psychedelic horror movies that promise a good jump scare; available on Amazon Prime Video, JioCinema, Apple TV+ and more
1. Midsommar – Apple TV+
Dani (Florence Pugh) is a young woman coping with the recent, traumatic loss of her family. Seeking solace, she joins her boyfriend, Christian, and his friends on a trip to a remote Swedish village to attend a rare midsummer festival. The group arrives in the peaceful commune, where the locals practice pagan traditions. As the festival progresses, the group notices strange rituals, which gradually turn darker and more violent. The villagers’ outward friendliness masks a sinister agenda, and the group becomes unwilling participants in bizarre and disturbing ceremonies. Dani becomes drawn into the cult’s practices, finding a sense of belonging in the eerie rituals. Ultimately, Dani is faced with a choice that leads to a shocking and cathartic climax. The cultural isolation with hallucinatory visuals and unsettling imagery, invokes a sense of dread.
2. The Lighthouse – Amazon Prime Video
This psychological horror movie follows two lighthouse keepers – Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) and Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson), as they descend into madness while stationed on a remote, storm-swept island in the 1890s. As the days drag on, Winslow becomes haunted by eerie visions, including mermaids and sea monsters, while Wake’s obsessive attachment to the lighthouse adds to the growing tension between the two men. Their relationship takes a dangerous turn and becomes hostile, fueled by alcohol, isolation, and their unstable minds. Shot in black-and-white and featuring a haunting, claustrophobic atmosphere, the movie is filled with mythological symbolism and dark humour.
3. Mandy – Amazon Prime Video
Starring Nicolas Cage, this psychedelic revenge horror movie is set in the 1980s. The plot follows Red Miller (Cage), a man living a peaceful, isolated life in the forest with his girlfriend, Mandy Bloom (Andrea Riseborough). Their happiness is shattered when a cult leader, Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roache), becomes obsessed with Mandy and orders his followers to abduct her. After Mandy is murdered in front of Red, he embarks on a vengeful rampage to hunt down the cult and the cannibalistic demonic bikers who helped them. Armed with a battle axe and fuelled by grief and rage, Red’s journey is a visually surreal, violent descent into madness. The stunning neon visuals, heavy metal soundtrack, and nightmarish tone create an almost hallucinatory experience.
4. Suspiria (1977) – MX Player
The movie follows Suzy Bannion (Jessica Harper), a young American ballet student who travels to a prestigious dance academy in Freiburg, Germany. Upon her arrival, Suzy begins to notice bizarre behaviour of the staff and students, mysterious deaths, and unsettling supernatural phenomena. As Suzy delves deeper into the academy’s dark secrets, she discovers it is run by a coven of witches, led by the evil Helena Markos. The movie is known for its striking use of vibrant colours, particularly reds, blues, and greens, creating a dreamlike, almost hallucinatory atmosphere.
5. The Cell (2000) – Amazon Prime Video
This psychological horror thriller delves into the mind of a serial killer using surreal, dreamlike visuals. The story follows Catherine Deane (Jennifer Lopez), a child therapist who uses experimental technology to enter the minds of her patients. She is enlisted by the FBI to enter the mind of comatose serial killer Carl Stargher (Vincent D’Onofrio) to find the location of his latest abducted victim, who is still alive but in grave danger. Inside Carl’s mind, Catherine navigates a disturbing, nightmarish landscape filled with grotesque and symbolic imagery, reflective of his fractured psyche and traumatic past. The movie alternates between the real world and the twisted dreamscapes of Carl’s subconscious, where Catherine must confront his darkest fears and desires. Its haunting, surreal imagery — featuring elaborate costumes, unsettling set designs, and symbolic themes — makes the movie a captivating watch.
6. Last Night in Soho – JioCinema
The plot revolves around Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie), a young woman with a passion for fashion design who moves to London to attend school. Eloise, however, begins experiencing vivid, dreamlike visions of the 1960s, in which she is transported into the life of an aspiring singer named Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy). As Eloise gets more involved in Sandie’s glamorous world, her dreams take a darker turn, revealing the sinister underbelly of 1960s London. What begins as an exciting escape soon turns into a nightmare, as Eloise witnesses Sandie’s life spiralling into violence and tragedy. Eloise struggles to separate reality from fantasy, as her obsession with uncovering the truth about Sandie’s fate threatens her own mental stability. Another binge-worthy movie on the list of visually stunning psychedelic horror movies.
7. Color Out of Space – Apple TV+
The story follows the Gardner family, who live on a remote farm in rural New England. Their peaceful life is disrupted when a meteorite crashes on their property, emitting a strange colour that affects the environment, animals, and the family in terrifying ways. As the days go by, the meteorite’s influence distorts reality, causing plants to grow in unnatural shapes and colours, animals to mutate, and the family members to descend into madness. The colour, a sentient alien force, alters the family’s minds and bodies, gradually taking control of their lives. Nathan Gardner (Nicolas Cage), the family patriarch, struggles to protect his family leading to bizarre and horrifying events. Known for its vivid, psychedelic visuals the movie combines body horror with a sense of cosmic dread.
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