Looking for recommendations - Environmental Horror

[tungsten]

As the title indicates, I'm looking for film recommendations.
In specific, I'm looking for movies similar in tone to the grudge or paranormal activity, but perhaps more cerebral. The subject matter doesn't have to be a haunting, but I'm looking for films that engender a sense of foreboding and dread by using unfriendly environments. I'd like the environment itself to be a character, with a thick and tangibly hostile atmosphere. I don't want jump scares and predictable characters (no meddlesome teens for instance). I want to see characters trapped in an upsetting and toxic (figuratively or literally) environment that slowly weighs on them psychologically. Monsters, ghosts and villains are fine, but should lend to the theme rather than distract from it. I really liked how the grudge managed to disturb me simply with it's colors, lighting, camera angles and soundtrack, but repeated viewings have lessened the impact and highlighted the flaws.
Films I've seen that come close but don't satisfy:
The Amnityville Horror, Session 9, The Hole, The Sphere, Rosemary's Baby.

Does such a movie exist?

[Fearonsarms]

Watch Dario Argento's Three Mothers trilogy-Suspiria (1977), Inferno (1980) and Mother Of Tears (2007) also Lucio Fulci's gates of hell trilogy-City Of THe Living Dead (1980), The Beyond (1981) and The House By THe Cemetery (1981) if you haven't already seen them :)

[neverending]

The Haunting (original)
The Shining
Cube (1997)
Picnic at Hanging Rock

[ChronoGrl]

Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
The Grudge (2004) <-- (I actually liked the remake too)
Kairo (Pulse) (2001)
Blair Witch Project

And let's throw in yellowbrickroad (2010) too

[Zero]

agree with picnic at hanging rock

also - The Last Winter is a perfect example of what you are looking for

[tungsten]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've seen some of these films (can't believe I forgot Suspiria, because it came the closest to what I'm looking for. The second and third films didn't get me as much). I'm going to go through the rest asap. Dog tooth never hit my horror nerve but it IS an excellent movie in it's own right. Definitely going to check out Haneke's other stuff, since I really enjoyed funny games, but never bothered to dig deeper into his work. The Last Winter sounds like a more intelligent version of The Thaw, and I'm probably anticipating it the most now, followed by The Ordeal.
Thanks again, and I'm open to any more suggestions!

list of suggestions I've seen for posterity:
- Three Mothers Trilogy
- Dog Tooth
- The Shining
- Cube
- The Grudge (original and american -and yeah, the remake is good)
- Blair Witch Project

[Ice Pik]

The Others
Wicked Little Things
The Darkness
1408
The Orphanage
Descent
Dead Silence
The Messenger
The Eye

[Ice Pik]

Watch Me
Grave Encounters
The Caller
Five Girls
Sixth Sense
Signs

[ChronoGrl]

I'd like to note that I'm relieved that I wasn't the one who recommended Grave Encounters. ;)


...


I did like it, though, and think you would too if you liked Paranormal Activity.

Try Crazy Eights; good little indie haunt.

I also second The Caller and The Orphanage... And will add The Devil's Backbone.

[tungsten]

Just finished watching The Others. It was better than I expected, which was good. Unfortunately, I predicted the plot pretty early in (had the same problem with sixth sense), and much of the horror was sapped from it. Initially it was a great example of what I was looking for, and a good movie in general, so thanks! I'll touch in as I watch more suggestions

[fortunato]

Try The Innocents.

[Horror4ever]

Here are some other fantastic creepy atmospheric horror gems...

Diabolique (1955)
Repulsion (1965)
The House That Screamed (1969)
Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)
A Warning to the Curious (1972 BBC TV Film)
The Stone Tape (1972 BBC TV Film)
The Legend of Hell House (1973)
Amityville II: The Possession (1982)
The Woman in Black (1989)
Ghostwatch (1992 BBC TV Film)
Dark Water (2002 Original)
The Uninvited Guest (2004)
Sauna (2008)

[tungsten]

Wow, god damn - just watched The Stone Tape. It's a perfect example of what I want. It's shortcomings are clear, in that it's a made for tv film, but the aesthetic and performances more than make up for it. It made me feel sick to my stomach and gave me a legitimate scare, which is rare for me, and much appreciated. The plot synopsis intrigued me, but I wasn't expecting it to have the effect it did. The sound-work in particular stands out to me, and I've not seen credits (of all things) so perfectly underscore dread before. Thanks very much, Horror4ever, going to try some of your other suggestions soon.

[Horror4ever]

Glad you liked Stone Tape. Try those other BBC made films...they all are great, hope you'll like them too.