Not every horror film needs to change the game entirely. Occasionally, what we crave is a chilling narrative, a handful of jump scares, and the reassurance of familiar genre tropes. However, there exists a delicate balance between comfort and forgettable content, and the films listed here are so strikingly average that they fade from memory the moment the credits roll.

These movies deliver generic thrills, average performances, and pleasant atmospheres, perfect for viewing while scrolling through your phone. Yet, in certain instances, the mediocrity of these films is more exasperating than outright badness would be.

10

‘The Bye Bye Man’ (2017): A Missed Opportunity for Chilling Horror

“Don’t think it. Don’t say it.” This film seems like the outcome of a brainstorming session where everyone shouted “urban legend” and then stopped contributing. The titular Bye Bye Man is a ghostly entity that invades your mind the instant you think or speak his name. While it’s not the most original concept, the abilities he possesses are undeniably potent. In a more skillful hands, this could have been a thrilling blend of Candyman and <em>The Ring</em>. Instead, we are left with a chaotic mix of hallucinations, uninspired frights, and a storyline that collapses quicker than the sanity of its characters.

Although the premise is intriguing, the delivery is awkward and uninspired. The performances lack depth, the backstory feels underdeveloped, and the horror relies heavily on sudden loud sounds and erratic editing. Nonetheless, it’s never outright dreadful. It’s the kind of film you might watch half-heartedly with friends while distracted by your phone. Not the worst, not the best, simply present, murmuring its partially frightening and partially cheesy lines while you attempt to recall where you’ve seen the lead actor before.

9

‘Winchester’ (2018): A Gothic Horror with Missed Potential

“Something tells me a very angry spirit has found its way here.” Set against the backdrop of the infamous Winchester Mystery House, this film possesses the ingredients for a gothic masterpiece: haunted architecture, a tragic history, and Helen Mirren adorned in a black veil. Regrettably, Winchester never quite manages to capitalize on its eerie locale. Rather than building psychological tension, it relies on repetitive jump scares, clichéd ghost portrayals, and a disjointed plot. The result is a frustrating squandering of potential. Nevertheless, there appears to be enough here to satisfy casual horror enthusiasts; it grossed an impressive $44 million against a modest budget of only $3.5 million.

Mirren delivers a commendable performance, infusing seriousness into lines that the script fails to support, while the ghosts predominantly appear to scream before disappearing. Visually, the film is competent, occasionally creating an atmospheric mood, yet it remains firmly in the realm of mediocrity. The Winchester house deserves a profound and unsettling horror narrative. Instead, it received this: a mildly chilling diversion that dissipates from memory like fog on a mirror.

8

‘The Possession’ (2012): A Familiar Tale of Horror

“He’s hiding in there… waiting.” Is there any horror trope more overused than possession? This film, with its bland title, is the latest entry into the possession genre. In this narrative, a young girl stumbles upon an antique box at a garage sale, which, surprise, turns out to be cursed. Specifically, it houses a dybbuk. The Possession attempts to add a Jewish twist to the exorcism subgenre, and to its credit, it at least ventures into somewhat different territory.

Nonetheless, the storyline hits all the predictable beats—creepy behavior, frantic parents, and a climactic confrontation with a priest. Yawn. This film is competently crafted and occasionally delivers a chill, but it lacks true inspiration. Jeffrey Dean Morgan does his best in the role of the concerned father, and the film manages to build some tension in its middle act. However, it all feels too familiar, akin to a reheated version of films we’ve already encountered. The conclusion inevitably involves a climactic ritual and some shaky CGI.

7

‘The Lazarus Effect’ (2015): A Choppy Blend of Science and Horror

“If we’ve unlocked the afterlife, we have cheated death.” This film feels like a mash-up of Flatliners and Lucy. A group of researchers uncovers a way to bring the deceased back to life, and when one of their own meets an untimely death, they attempt the procedure on her, leading to predictably disastrous consequences. The science is nonsensical, the horror elements feel rushed, and the character development ultimately leads nowhere.

While the scares depend significantly on dream sequences and unsettling stares, by the conclusion, you might find yourself more intrigued by the end credits song than the resolution of the plot. However, it’s not a complete failure. Visually appealing, fast-paced, and featuring a solid cast that includes Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, and Donald Glover, the film does have its merits. Furthermore, the filmmakers seem to exhibit genuine enthusiasm for this horror genre, even if it feels heavily trampled. Wilde, in particular, appears to relish her role as the post-resurrection antagonist.

6

‘The Unholy’ (2021): A Supernatural Narrative with Little Depth

“She is here. She is real.” In this film, Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrays a cynical journalist who investigates a series of apparent miracles, hoping to revive his stagnant career. The focus is on a deaf girl who begins performing miracles after experiencing a vision of the Virgin Mary. However, the divine presence may not be as holy as it seems. The narrative touches on themes of faith, manipulation, and media influence, and while Morgan delivers a solid performance, the film barely scratches the surface of these concepts. Saint Maud this is not.

Instead of delving into spiritual complexity, we are presented with a barrage of common frights, clichéd dialogue, and CGI demons. The story progresses steadily, never fully derailing but also failing to rise above its formulaic nature. Although it might provoke a startle or two, it does not challenge, unsettle, or surprise its audience. The devil may lurk in the details, but The Unholy neglects to include many. It’s a serviceable, mildly creepy film that is easy to digest.

5

‘The Apparition’ (2012): A Ghostly Encounter with No Substance

“Once you believe, they can’t be stopped.” This film barely registers as a complete work. The Apparition is so underdeveloped and vague that it resembles more of a haunted screensaver than an actual movie. It’s polished, sterile, and utterly insubstantial, making it feel like it was crafted to be forgotten. In this regard, the title is unintentionally fitting. Critics even noted that the trailer contained more plot than the film itself. Consequently, even at just 82 minutes, The Apparition feels excessively prolonged.

The narrative—concerning a failed parapsychology experiment and a couple stalked by a supernatural entity—is largely conveyed through exposition and scenes of characters looking anxious in brightly lit homes. Once again, talented actors are squandered on a flimsy script. Ashley Greene and Sebastian Stan do what they can, yet the scares emerge with all the subtlety of a car alarm. There’s a ghost, a backstory, objects float, and people die. Roll credits.

4

‘The Devil Inside’ (2012): A Disappointing Exorcism Tale

“Multiple demonic possessions have been documented.” Ugh, another possession story. The Devil Inside is notorious, primarily for its abrupt ending: it cuts off mid-sentence, followed by a URL directing viewers to “learn more online.” This could be forgiven if the journey to that point were more compelling, but instead, we are presented with a found-footage exorcism flick that ticks all the boxes without contributing anything novel. The film flirts with significant themes (religious dogma, mental health, generational trauma) but abandons them for shaky-cam pandemonium and writhing contortionists.

As a result, The Devil Inside is somewhat engaging in the way a student documentary might be: awkward, clumsy, yet vaguely captivating if you’re in the right mood and not overthinking it. Critics savaged the film, relegating it to the ‘stinker’ category. However, this harsh assessment somewhat overlooks what the film aims to achieve. While it isn’t entirely dull, even its flaws can be amusing in a roundabout way.

3

‘The Grudge’ (2020): A Lackluster Reboot of a Classic Horror

“When someone dies in the grip of a powerful rage, a curse is born.” The original Grudge was a tightly woven, thrilling film. This reboot attempts to introduce the franchise’s ghostly curse to new audiences but often stumbles over its own narrative structure. It shifts between timelines, characters, and settings, weaving a narrative that never fully connects. The end result is somber, slow, and saturated with dread, yet it seldom delivers genuine scares or surprises.

While there are moments of effectiveness, including a couple of well-crafted ghost reveals, much of it feels recycled. The cast, which includes Andrea Riseborough, Demián Bichir, and Lin Shaye, is strong but wasted on characters that seem to serve merely as plot devices. While it is a passable film, primarily due to its professionalism and atmosphere, it never succeeds in justifying its existence. Ultimately, this may not be the worst Grudge film, but it could very well be the most unnecessary.

2

‘Slender Man’ (2018): A Failed Attempt at Urban Legend Horror

“He gets in your head like a virus.” Horror films inspired by internet memes typically struggle to succeed. Slender Man attempts to capitalize on the creepypasta phenomenon but ends up feeling jittery and frustratingly tame, resembling something more akin to a Goosebumps episode. A group of teenagers in a small town conjures Slender Man, who begins to invade their dreams and erase their existence. That’s the crux of the story. Yet, somehow this film managed to resonate with some audiences, as evidenced by its $51 million box office gross.

While it possesses an atmosphere, it lacks any real substance. Every moment feels cobbled together from leftover teen horror clichés. Characters disappear without consequence, scares are muddled by CGI, and the lore is hastily conveyed through blurred montages and library scenes. Most disappointingly, it fails to explore the psychological horror that made the original meme so captivating. What could have become a poignant reflection on urban legends, adolescence, and fear instead turns into mere background noise.

1

‘The Forest’ (2016): A Missed Opportunity in Horror

“You have to be careful in the forest. It’s a different world.” This film also draws inspiration from a meme, but in a more exploitative manner. Set in Japan’s real-life Aokigahara, known infamously as the Suicide Forest, the story follows Natalie Dormer as she searches for her missing twin sister. While the premise offers rich thematic potential—grief, trauma, and cultural tension—the film ultimately opts for the easier route of relying on spectral figures with pallid faces.

The production quality is decent, and you may find yourself captivated by the atmospheric visuals and the occasional scare. Dormer delivers a committed performance, and the cinematography effectively captures the eerie beauty of the setting. However, the storytelling and tone are as murky as the woods themselves. The narrative stumbles, often repeating itself and leaning too heavily on vague ghostly logic. Most troubling is the film’s tendency to exploit real tragedies for entertainment, lacking the depth or respect that such themes warrant.