Since the advent of horror films, many filmmakers have attempted to innovate and subvert the genre in hopes of creating new recipes to wow audiences. Many films are rigged with action sequences, mixing the unnerving atmosphere typical of horror with the adrenaline-fueled flashes of the action genre.
Despite deviating from the slow, anguished rhythm of classic horror, these films did not distort the genre, but on the contrary, demonstrated its adaptability and versatility. alien When they are alive From recent movies like Mandy and Upgrade, this list takes into account the many horrors that decided to incorporate action scenes into their scripts and did so successfully.
10/10 dog soldier
Written, directed and edited by Neil Marshall in its debut, dog soldier It tells the story of a group of British soldiers, including Private Cooper (Kevin McKidd). While on a training mission against an SAS unit in the Scottish Highlands, Cooper’s group finds the other units completely wiped out and only their captain, Ryan (Liam Cunningham), is still alive. He has bloody claw marks on his chest.
dog soldier Well directed by a multi-tasking Marshall that can’t be stopped on a low budget. The action sequences are plentiful and the splatter scenes are the biggest here. At the same time, the ensemble cast is clone knit and effective in directing their respective roles. dog soldier Since then, it has demonstrated the talents of the British director from the very beginning, paving the way for a credible filmography. A genuine and passionate beginning.
9/10 mandy
Co-written and directed by Panos Cosmatos. mandy Nicolas Cage plays Red, a logger who lives stranded near the Shadows Mountains with his girlfriend Mandy (Andrea Riseborough). When a violent cult, led by Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roach), joins forces with his gang of mysterious bikers to invade their lives, Red plans revenge. hallucinations and hyperviolence, mandy It features a great performance by Nic Cage and a bloody action sequence.
This horror movie is, at first glance, a sight for the eyes. The fantastic cinematography, which features heavy use of red tones and neon lights, is perfectly matched to the bloody screenplay. At the same time, composer Johann Johannsson underlines the film’s mood by crafting a haunting soundtrack that mixes rich synths with a drone metal sensibility. Finally, the slow-paced rhythm fosters an atmosphere of terror, while the copious amounts of action scenes inject the audience with adrenaline. cult.
8/10 upgrade
upgrade Directed by Leigh Whannell, it features Logan Marshall-Green as Gray Trace, a tech-hating auto mechanic. In the near future, where Grays live, technology has advanced and many activities use machines rather than humans. One day, his wife’s self-driving car crashes with them in it. Four men attacked and killed Gray’s wife, paralyzing him.
upgrade perfectly combines a body-horror premise with action sequences effectively directed by Whannell. Cinematography is otherworldly, thanks to Stefan Duscio, but the harrowing side of his horror subgenre is also hard to miss. At the same time, Logan Marshall-Green has proven to be the perfect fit for the role of Gray. Calm and convincing, his performances are always on point. The upgrade has a great atmosphere and intelligent techno his horror his plot that grows over time.
7/10 from dusk till dawn
from dusk till dawn George Clooney plays bank robber Seth Gecko and Quentin Tarantino plays his brother Richie. After robbing and burning down a liquor store and killing two men at the same time, the Gecko Brothers took refuge in an inn and kidnapped the family of pastor Jacob Fuller. Their purpose is simple. Using my family to cross the Mexican border.
It was written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by longtime friend Robert Rodriguez. from dusk till dawn A classic of the action-horror genre, it mixes elements of comedy at the same time. The action scenes in this horror movie are tightly directed by a Mexican filmmaker who never misses a beat. At the same time, Guillermo Navarro’s cinematography perfectly portrays the hot and dusty climate of the US-Mexican border. from dusk till dawn It will scare and entertain you while delivering one of the best George Clooney characters ever.
6/10 attack the block
Joe Cornish Writer/Director attack the block John Boyega stars as Moses, leader of a South London teenage gang. When a meteor brings alien creatures to the Council estate, Moses and his crew decide to defend Brock. This British film creatively mixes comedy and horror, while adding plenty of action scenes to flavor the plot.
attack the block A little gem given the director’s ability to mix genres. The result is an entertaining film with solid action sequences, a nocturnal urban setting that feels like the best horror movies, and killer lines that will make you laugh over and over again. Unsatisfied, Joe Cornish did not forget the locations depicted in the film, leaving space in the script for social commentary on the situation on the council grounds. attack the block A great debut for Cornish and an unforgettable future cult.
5/10 planet terror
planet terror Part of a double feature grind housewhich also includes death proof By Quentin Tarantino. The absolute MVP behind the film is the previously featured Robert Rodriguez. from dusk till dawnthe filmmakers wrote, co-produced, directed, scored, co-edited, and also acted as cinematographer. A good mix of horror and action planet terror Deeply interesting and thrilling.
The film tells the story of a group of survivors who must confront zombies created by bioweapons. Conceived as an homage to 1970s genre films, planet terror It features key stylistic elements borrowed from the B-movie era. Additionally, this action-horror is notable for some great interpretations by Josh Brolin as the sadistic Dr. William Bullock and Freddy Rodriguez as the enigmatic El Rey.
4/10 predator
Directed by action champion John McTiernan, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, predator It tells the story of a military rescue team commanded by Dutch Major Schaefer (Schwarzenegger) on a mission in Central America. While trying to rescue the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the jungle, the team comes across deadly and dangerous aliens. The film was a huge success at his 1987 box office and was later franchised.
predator A good example of a combination of action and horror. The fast-paced, adrenaline-filled character of the former complements the stressful and anxious character of the latter well. In fact, the jungle environment, besides being beautifully shot by Donald McAlpine, helps create a sense of claustrophobia that goes hand in hand with tension. predator Definitely a product of its time and a classic in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s filmography.
3/10 blade
Written by David S. Goyer, Directed by Stephen Norrington blade It features Wesley Snipes in one of his most famous roles. Blades have all the strengths of vampires, but no weaknesses. Together with his old partner Abraham Whistler (Chris Kristofferson), he hunts down and kills vampires. Along the way, they find the thirsty and dangerous Deacon Frost (Stephen Dorff), a vampire who wants to defeat humans.
blade A cult favorite over the years, it features a solid directing style and brooding, dark cinematography that fits perfectly with the topics being told. At the same time, the film hits you with suspenseful, tense action sequences and moments of constant bloody horror. In his one of the first commercially successful films by Marvel, blade It still shines with its brilliant combination of horror and action.
2/10 they are alive
they are alive is one of John Carpenter’s haunting masterpieces, starring Roddy Piper as Nada, a working-class nomad who drifts from town to town in search of a paycheck. After arriving in Los Angeles, Nada finds a construction job and meets Frank (Keith David). Soon, Nada becomes embroiled in a mystery revolving around special sunglasses.
they are alive Great in many ways. Carpenter’s style is more powerful than ever with impeccable directing, his sequences of jaw-dropping action like Nada and Frank’s endless fight scene, and a haunting soundtrack co-written with Alan Howarth. . At the same time, form meets substance, underlined by Reaganomics and its critical commentary on laissez-faire capitalism. they are alive Nothing less than a pearl and a mandatory vision in every film school.
1/10 alien
alien This is the second installment of. alien The franchise and James Cameron’s third film. This second chapter is marked by departures from a tense, slow-paced rhythm. alien And to embrace more elements of the action genre. On the Nostromo escape shuttle, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), who has been asleep for 57 years, is rescued and given a report on what happened. It won’t be long before she needs her work again.
alien Filled with action sequences perfectly shot by James Cameron, amplified by the growing tension that continues to permeate the film. There is no time for relaxation and the audience is in constant tension. At the same time, Sigourney Weaver excels in her acting and is once again perfect in her life role. alien It increased the franchise’s action and still stands today as a genre-mixing milestone.