Scariest Foreign Movies

[Shady]

I know there is a thread on this but I was unable to find it. Anyways what are the scariest foreign movies you have ever seen. I just rented Ju-On, Tale Of Two Sisters, and The Eye. Im about to watch Ju-On, I heard this outbeat Grudge by a longshot.

[VampiricClown]

I liked "A Tale Of Two Sisters" a lot. It was a bit confusing though. Watch it, then dig up the thread I made about it in the J-Horror section.

[alkytrio666]

Profondo Rosso (Deep Red) and Ôdishon (Audition) are both horrifying.

And of course the oh-so-creepy M (1931), one of the greatest films of all time.

[Despare]

You guys have to watch Art of the Devil I & II... the second I feel is better but they're both great fun. Can't recommend them enough.

[Janna122003]

You guys have to watch Art of the Devil I & II... the second I feel is better but they're both great fun. Can't recommend them enough.

Are you sure this is really worth to watched? Is this really scary?

[mcilroga]

Susssspiriaaaaa. *cue theme*

[slayer666]

Are you sure this is really worth to watched? Is this really scary?

I haven't seen it yet, but I just found this review: http://www.monstersatplay.com/review/dvd/a/artdevil.php

[swiss tony]

the best foreign movie i have seen in a long time is pan's labyrinth, although it isn't strictly horror or scary for that matter.

[Shady]

What exactly is Koma and Suspiria. From the plot im reading for Suspiria it looks really gay.

"A newcomer to a fancy ballet academy gradually comes to realize that the staff of the school are actually a coven of witches bent on chaos and destruction"

[mcilroga]

What exactly is Koma and Suspiria. From the plot im reading for Suspiria it looks really gay.

"A newcomer to a fancy ballet academy gradually comes to realize that the staff of the school are actually a coven of witches bent on chaos and destruction"

No it's not "gay." That plot is just terribly written. Suspiria is a masterpiece.

Just watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6zJGUUiG0c

[mordrid]

Suspiria would be my pick, I think it has the plot, acting, directing and soundtrack that creates the perfect terror.

[Burning in Hell]

Are you sure this is really worth to watched? Is this really scary?

Nah, it's not scary at all (Art the Devil 2 at least since I haven't seen the first one). Rather cheesy but there's some really violent torture scenes near the end of the movie. Far from a classic but it deserves to be seen.

[Shady]

I will try all the movies you have listed. Im looking for a "scary" movie more or less than a good/brutal/gory/masterpeice. I understand Suspiria is a "masterpeice" but is a it a good "freaky", "scary" movie. Im actually watching my first ever foreign film today, Ju-On. I saw the first half last night but I kind of fell asleep so I will finish it later today. First time Ive ever fell asleep watching a movie. It was late so thats probably why. Im trying to get the full affect by watching it at night. Im tryin my best here to get freaked out but I was disappointed with the first half. I heard it was better than the The Grudge and so far it isn't. Hopefully it will get better the 2nd half, we'll see.

[swiss tony]

if you prefer the grudge to ju on i will be very surprised. maybe the subtitles aren't doing it for you or you were too tired to start a movie that requires a bit of concentration but i would definitely advise watching it in the right frame of mind. you may just be depriving yourself of what is in most peoples opinions one of the greats. up there with suspiria, the exorcist, omen, tcm, alien etc, etc.

[Shady]

if you prefer the grudge to ju on i will be very surprised. maybe the subtitles aren't doing it for you or you were too tired to start a movie that requires a bit of concentration but i would definitely advise watching it in the right frame of mind. you may just be depriving yourself of what is in most peoples opinions one of the greats. up there with suspiria, the exorcist, omen, tcm, alien etc, etc.

Well, I finished watching it. It didn't do anything for me. I think one main reason is because I have seen The Grudge well over 5 times and I saw Grudge 2 twice. So I think I'm just all around sick of the movie and Ju-On is similiar to Grudge so that is one huge reason. Subtitles actually didn't bother me as much as I had expected. One thing that bugged the hell outa me was every character looked the same. Maybe its just me but foreign people look the same to me. Obviously not identical but sometimes I didn't know who was who. I will admit Ju-On was better than The Grudge but it wasn't fantastic. Gotta love the stair scene. I just miss the days where I was so scared to watch the movie I had to look away or cover my eyes. I just want a movie that will do that to me again, sadly I dont think that day will ever come.

[Shady]

you will like th eye more and a tail of two sisters and try phone and the red shoes .

I am going to watch Tale Of Two Sisters in about an hour.

[joshaube]

Not really scary but I did enjoy One Missed Call (original) and thought it had a great concept and great direction.

[swiss tony]

does the passion count as a foreign movie as it's in hebrew? its a great horror

[Shady]

does the passion count as a foreign movie as it's in hebrew? its a great horror

Where do you get at Passion Of the Christ being a horror movie? I have seen this movie and it is far from that. This is an outstanding movie. If anything I would consider it falling in the "drama" category.

[swiss tony]

Where do you get at Passion Of the Christ being a horror movie? I have seen this movie and it is far from that. This is an outstanding movie. If anything I would consider it falling in the "drama" category.

it falls into the category of judao-christian historical exploitation torture for the love of god put the fucking guy out of his misery was that a short appearance from beelzebub horror. at least, i think thats what it is. i'll be the first to admit its a niche category but you must concede it does have a lot of horror ingredients

[BASSI]

Ichi The Killer i watch it for the 1st time today great movie

[Amalthea_unicorn]

The Eye too.

[Sistinas666]

Reading this thread just dropped my IQ by 12 points.

[Ferox13]

Some of the Scariest Foreign Movies imo:

The original Haunting

Ju-on

The Changling

The woman in Black

[swiss tony]

That seen in the Ring is the scariest single scene in foreign cinema and perhaps all cinema. Although, the first time you see the movie in the Grudge is right up there.

[BookZombie]

You guys have to watch Art of the Devil I & II... the second I feel is better but they're both great fun. Can't recommend them enough.

I just bought those movies off Ebay. I have not had a chance to watch them yet though.

As for scary foreign films, I assume you are meaning non American films as for me all American films are foreign. I would have to say Phone, the original The Ring movies and also give a honorable mention to the Cold Pray films form Norway, they are excellent slashers and will make you jump, there are three of them now.

[TheWickerFan]

I'm going under the assumption that these are non-American films as well. Where to start?

The Wicker Man
Profondo Rosso
Suspiria
Picnic At Hanging Rock
Who Can Kill A Child?
Tenebre
The Vanishing
Vault Of Horror
Audition
Battle Royale
Ringu
28 Days Later
Dark Water
The Devil's Backbone
Ju-On: The Grudge
The Eye
The Orphanage
Wolf Creek
The Descent
Let The Right One In
Eden Lake

[swiss tony]

I'm going old skool on this one (I'm also including UK movies) -

Nosferatu
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari
Vampyr
Les Yeux sans Visage
Mask of the Demon
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders
Hour of the Wolf
Viy
The Innocents
The Omen series

[BookZombie]

I just have to add 1920 a Indian ghost movie and the German The Lift to my list. I also second Nosferatu, that is a great movie and while it is very basic by modern standards it manages to be extremely creepy. I also think the Spanish version of the 1931 Dracula film should be mentioned, while it is made on the same set as the American film it is a all Spanish production and it is great.

[Ferox13]

. I I also think the Spanish version of the 1931 Dracula film should be mentioned, while it is made on the same set as the American film it is a all Spanish production and it is great.

Good call. Thought its popular with a lot of older buffs - it is an overlooked film.

[BookZombie]

I find it interesting that even so early in movie history they still did remakes. But I agree it is a far to overlooked film, and far to many vampire movie fans do not even know it exists, and that is a shame as it is definitely one to give at least one watch.

[Ferox13]

I find it interesting that even so early in movie history they still did remakes.

I though people might argue that its from the writren source rather than being remakes but there were close to 10 version of the Hound of the Baskervilles made before 1940. Thats before cinema was 4 decades old..

People moan about remakes - no new ideas etc but its always been the same....Ferretchucker has some quote from my Grandfather bitching about the Universal series in his sig...nothing changes...

[TheWickerFan]

I though people might argue that its from the writren source rather than being remakes but there were close to 10 version of the Hound of the Baskervilles made before 1940. Thats before cinema was 4 decades old..

People moan about remakes - no new ideas etc but its always been the same....Ferretchucker has some quote from my Grandfather bitching about the Universal series in his sig...nothing changes...

It's true that remakes are nothing new, but the sheer volume of them in the past decade is unheard of. The 1980s had the second highest amount of remakes which was less than half of the 2000s remakes.

[Tinsnip]

The Swedish movie "Let the Right One In", based on a novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, was incredible. It's not the scariest movie I've ever seen, but the way he portrays vampires is awesome. It's a different perspective than usual. It's such a beautiful story, and with a very happy ending. His novel was published in 2005, then they made a movie in 2008. Now there is a new English version of the movie called "Let Me In"... it's not a complete slasher film, but if you're looking for an amazing story I highly recomend it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reRRAEVHq8E

[BookZombie]

Well yes Spanish Dracula is more like a side production than a remake, but yes it is the same principle, make something with your language and which fit your culture better than a movie from another nation.

I think that the reason why we see so many remakes now is the economic crisis. After all a old movie already have a following who is likely to see a new version, whatever they like it or not, it is just safer to remake something than to gamble on something new when the money is tight.

[Ferox13]

It's true that remakes are nothing new, but the sheer volume of them in the past decade is unheard of. The 1980s had the second highest amount of remakes which was less than half of the 2000s remakes.

Its true there is a huge amount of them being made but theres is also incredible increase in horror films being made right now too..Films are much cheaper to make now then they used to be. Hi quality DV is so cheap and the diting process is so much easier compared to film.

It would interesting to compare the amount of horror films made in the 80's compared to the naughties and what perentage are remakes.

[TheWickerFan]

Its true there is a huge amount of them being made but theres is also incredible increase in horror films being made right now too..Films are much cheaper to make now then they used to be. Hi quality DV is so cheap and the diting process is so much easier compared to film.

It would interesting to compare the amount of horror films made in the 80's compared to the naughties and what perentage are remakes.

I will try and do that; IMDB is acting up at the moment (apparently there were no horror movies released at these times!!:eek:).

[BookZombie]

Well what I can say is that horror movies while still seen as a bit of a guilty pleasure is gaining respect. More and more often horror films is at the Oscars. Perhaps there is just more money for monsters in this day and age, both for original films and remakes? Though I still hold that the bad economy that have been the last few years perhaps can explain some of why there are so many remakes.

[TheWickerFan]

Its true there is a huge amount of them being made but theres is also incredible increase in horror films being made right now too..Films are much cheaper to make now then they used to be. Hi quality DV is so cheap and the diting process is so much easier compared to film.

It would interesting to compare the amount of horror films made in the 80's compared to the naughties and what perentage are remakes.

Okay, you're right. The volume of films made in the 2000s also doubled so the ratio of remakes to original remained pretty much the same.

However, I'm still tired of remakes dammit!:p

[BookZombie]

I am fine with remakes as long as they also make completely new original movies. As long as they make more horror movies I am happy. But I do prefer originals to remakes, unless it is more Dracula movies, you can never have to many Dracula movies. :D

[swiss tony]

On the face of it, it could be disappointing that there are so many remakes these days, as remakes are almost always poor. I think that the noticeable increase in remakes is down to Hollywood being much more receptive to the idea of adapting foreign language movies (Asia in particular).

This is a good thing when you think about it. It is exposing the people who are too closed minded/lazy to watch a subtitled movie to a wealth of culture.

As well, those with English as a first language don't have exclusivity on making quality cinema. So, if the adapted movies are well done it is a welcome development.

[TheWickerFan]

So, if the adapted movies are well done it is a welcome development.

The key word being, "if".http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CDuRi7K2FVw/S7NxAdPlrTI/AAAAAAAAH7s/K5n8tzzT0kI/s400/diabolique.jpg

http://cf1.imgobject.com/posters/a8f/4bc91207017a3c57fe006a8f/the-vanishing-cover.jpg

[swiss tony]

The key word being, "if".http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CDuRi7K2FVw/S7NxAdPlrTI/AAAAAAAAH7s/K5n8tzzT0kI/s400/diabolique.jpg

http://cf1.imgobject.com/posters/a8f/4bc91207017a3c57fe006a8f/the-vanishing-cover.jpg

Well put! You just used my absolute favourite quote from history.:)

When the Macedonians sent their message to the Spartans stating 'if we enter Sparta we will burn it to the ground' the Spartans response to the grandiose demand was 'If'.

You win, smarty pants! None of the remakes will ever do the original justice. Can you imagine the mess they'll make of Pan's Labyrinth in 20 years?:(

[BookZombie]

On the face of it, it could be disappointing that there are so many remakes these days, as remakes are almost always poor. I think that the noticeable increase in remakes is down to Hollywood being much more receptive to the idea of adapting foreign language movies (Asia in particular).

This is a good thing when you think about it. It is exposing the people who are too closed minded/lazy to watch a subtitled movie to a wealth of culture.


I agree, and as an added bonus allot of people who watch and like a remake, will then check out the original movie to just to see where it comes from, so often a remake of a foreign movie can broaden someone's horizon.

The problem is when it is very obscure that something is a remake. I watched Kingdom Hospital and loved it. However did you know it is a remake of a Danish series named Riget? I for sure did not until one time I was visiting my mother I noticed horror on the TV and it was very familiar, then and with a bit of googeling I discovered that there existed a series named Riget who was the basis for Kingdom Hospital, and I live in Scandinavia.

I also got very confused when I was looking for a DVD of Touching Evil and what I got had allot of Englishmen running around. Turns out the Touching Evil which was aired in America is a remake of a English series by the same name.

I think they should be better at announcing that something is a remake so it will be easier to check out the original if one so desires. That being said it have been some remakes I have liked better than the original. For example I enjoyed the American the Grudge better than the Japanese, not that the American movie is better, but the story is less confusing and easier to follow, while the Japanese original jumps back and forth in time with the storyline and is all over the place and unless one is really used to Japanese movies (as in I enjoy it more now after having watched a fair number of Japanese movies and anime.) and are used to the Japanese way to tell stories then the American version have a more streamlined way to get the viewer through the storyline.

[neverending]

Another way to say that is dumbing down the story....

[horrorzack]

Didnt even find the mention of the words "Vampyr" and "Onibaba"

[BookZombie]

No not dumbing it down. Every culture have different ways to tell stories. Now in the typical Western way we have a beginning, a middle and an end and storylines usually follow this almost religiously. In the first part the setting is set up and the life of the characters before anything happens is shown, then there is a mid section where most things happens, and an end to finish it all off. In Japanese most storylines these three sections of a storyline is far less defined, making them hard to follow for audiences who expect a certain dynamic to how a story progresses.

Neither method of telling a story is dumber, they are just different. Japanese people who are not used to American movies have the same problem as Westerners have with theirs, it is just different cultures for how a story is told. Western stories is more told to fit into a self contained box, while Japanese stories is often more just a piece of something happening with no clear beginning or end.

Off course not all Japanese movies or American ones follow the typical layout of where they come from, but it is often the case, and it can be a bit off putting for someone to being told a story in a completely different format than they are used to.

[neverending]

I wonder what's wrong with me. I've never had a problem following a non-linear storyline- whether the film was made in Korea, Australia, Great Britain, Brazil, Japan, Spain or even the United States.

If you've ever read any reviews of American remakes of Asian films, dumbing down is precisely the language often used, as well as making things much more obvious and less subtle. It may not be the terminology you would use, it IS the terminology I would use.

[Diabolical]

Has anyone seen Haxan? Its from 1922, Sweeden. Has to do with Witchcraft...

[slysje]

the orphanage is probably my fav foreign movie.

[neverending]

Has anyone seen Haxan? Its from 1922, Sweeden. Has to do with Witchcraft...

Yes, a lot of people have seen that movie. It has some great imagery in it. I'm pretty sure you can download it from the Internet Archive.

[ChronoGrl]

Now, mind you, when I think "Scary," I think "made me jump..."

When I think "Scariest Foreign Movies," I think:

ASIAN HORROR

Ringu - The original film was really damn creepy; even though I had seen the remake first and knew the story, there were some scenes that still totally creeped me out. The remake was crap and not scary at all; it felt like a bad "thriller"
Ju-On - Definitely a creepy film (though TBH I liked the remake better; I feel as though director Shimizu was able to add an editing eye to his original film when he moved it overseas
Rinne - Also an underrated creepy little JA movie by Shimizu - This is definitely a gem
Shutter - Great jumpy little Asian gem - Doesn't really do anything new in terms of Asian ghost movies, but it had some parts that made me jump (plus I watched it alone in a hotel room, which I'm sure added to the affect)
The Maid - Not a perfect film, but I thought it was well done and I actually really liked the insight into the Chinese Hungry Ghost festival


I can go on and on about Miike and Chan-wook Park, but the question is about "scares," so...

FRENCH HORROR

Inside - Really good home invasion/slasher film - Absolutely horrifying and I can't express how good this film was
Ils - Another good home invasion movie - Not as gory as Inside, but I found it quite suspenseful

[Diabolical]

does the passion count as a foreign movie as it's in hebrew? its a great horror

Huh? I thought it was a comedy?

[hueyisme]

The original Nosferatu and The Innocents and Mario Bava's films are among my favorite foreign horror films, also anything with Barbara Steele. Shes a fox. Also there are some very good Mexican horror films from the 60's that are scary and well made.