Vanessa Maki with ten horror films that channel true crime…
Throughout horror history, many horror films have been inspired by (loosely or otherwise) true crime cases. Whether it’s the mild inspiration that was taken from Ed Gein for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Kevin Williamson being so frightened by the Gainesville Ripper’s murder spree that he wrote Scream etc. True crime and horror don’t always go hand in hand, but when that does happen, it’s terrifying to think about.
There’s nothing wrong with true crime content as long as it’s handled with respect and care. And some of your potential favorites come across as true crime cases, occasionally because they take some inspiration. The following either took inspiration from true crime or they mildly play out like cases you’ve heard about or could potentially hear about. Proceed with caution, and please keep in mind that some of the films include content that might be triggering. So make sure you do your research.
Black Christmas (1974)
When it comes to Canadian slasher classics, Black Christmas will always be one of the greatest. The film follows a sorority house that is slowly picked off by a deranged man who makes disturbing phone calls. If you picture someone hiding in an attic and waiting to kill the people residing in the home, you’re guaranteed to be uncomfortable. And what might scare people more is the fact the film took inspiration from a Canadian true crime case.
It’s not precisely the same in terms of events, but the film found inspiration from 1943 murders in a suburb called Westmount in Quebec and a serial named William Heirens (occasionally known as the Lipstick Killer). The fact that Billy is killing the women in the film without a deep motivation is as if not more scary than if he had one. And much like cases in real-life, there is no actual justice for what happens.
Wolf Creek (2005)
If you like when horror is set in isolated places, Australian horror might be what you’re looking for. Wolf Creek follows a trio of friends who trust the person and end up in a fight for their lives against a serial killer. It’s a harrowing endeavor for the victims, and there’s nearly no hope in sight as the film carries on. The film is one that is quintessential if you’re looking for bleak aughts horror movies.
Writer, Greg McLean found inspiration in horrific Australian true crime such as the backpack murders in which took place in the ‘90s by serial killer, Ivan Milat. As well as Bradley Murdoch, who murdered a backpacker and tried to kidnap his girlfriend in 2001. Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) is extremely sadistic in Wolf Creek and for him to be somewhat takes after other Australian serial killers is potentially alarming to people. Wolf Creek isn’t for people who can’t stomach a bleak atmosphere that features a villain who isn’t supernatural in nature. Proceed with absolute caution if you decide to watch.
Eden Lake (2008)
Suffering at the hands of unruly kids and teens is uncomfortable to think about, but it has and does happen. Eden Lake follows a couple whose vacation goes wrong when they are hunted and harassed by young people. It’s a relentless endeavor for the couple, and there are several ways to view the film. On one hand, it’s a great example of the vibes of British horror, but there are certainly conversations that could be had in terms of what the film might be trying to say.
There aren’t any true crime cases, at least none that have been mentioned, that inspired this film. However, there’s something about specific points in the film and the ending that come off as realistic in worst case scenarios. Eden Lake’s ending will make anyone get that feeling one might if their ice cream cone melted upon first purchase. There’s no happiness in sight for the characters, and they’re very doomed upon arrival.
The Strangers (2008)
If someone asks for Tamara, don’t answer the door. The Strangers follows a couple who are terrorized at a vacation home by a trio of masked people. The film is a solid look into why home invasion horror is extremely terrifying because there’s no reason why they’re being attacked. They could have been anyone staying in that vacation home, and that makes it all the more unsettling.
The writer and the director of The Strangers, Bryan Bertino took inspiration from the Tate-LaBianca murders and B&E that happened in Bertino’s childhood neighborhood. While there isn’t a bloodbath in the film, the breaking and entering by way of the strangers adds extreme amounts of tension. The feelings that one would have being stalked in what is meant to be a safe space are captured throughout.
Orphan (2009)
Impersonating a child as an adult isn’t a frequent occurrence, but it’s a scary thought nonetheless. Orphan follows a family who adopts a 9-year-old girl that’s far more mysterious and manipulative than they could have imagined. Naturally, the family doesn’t realize how dangerous Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) is until it’s too late. And the end results aren’t great for nearly anyone.
The film was inspired by a 2007 case about a woman named Barbora Skrlová, who posed as an orphaned child, despite being a woman in her 30s. Her case involved child abuse, cannibalism, and extreme manipulation of other adults. Orphan has no instances of the parents abusing the children or cannibalism, but Esther is similar to Barbora in her mode of manipulation.
The Loved Ones (2009)
This film packs an extreme punch and isn’t afraid to make people uncomfortable. The Loved Ones follows a teen boy who is kidnapped by a deranged classmate and her father. It’s quite the gender flip and that makes the film quite unique in that respect. And the character of Lola (Robin McLeavy) is perfectly unhinged throughout the entire film.
There have been countless cases of kidnapping throughout true crime cases, and they don’t always end with someone escaping. Whether that happens in The Loved Ones or not will require a viewing (not spoiling anything for you), but Brent (Xavier Samuel) is only occurring because he declined Lola asking him out. It’s not even something that Brent sees coming, and that makes it all the more worse.
The Sacrament (2013)
Found-footage horror can be inspired by true events too, folks. The Sacrament follows journalists who are documenting a religious commune for VICE. The film being found footage makes everything feel even more real, which is often an effect that found footage has on viewers. It helps make what’s happening come across as real footage from actual people.
There have been many massacres throughout history, but the Jonestown Massacre is one of the most well-known. The Sacrament takes inspiration from those events that occurred, and if the idea of cults disturbs you too many, maybe skip this one. And the real-life case isn’t for the faint of heart as far as what happened to nearly 1,000 people (which includes young children and babies).
Killing Ground (2016)
Some violence and brutality isn’t pre-planned, in some cases. Killing Ground follows two separate stories, not followed in a linear format, and explores how both stories involving a family, young couple, and two rapist murderers intersect. There’s barely any time to breathe in this film once the worst events start happening. Rather than allowing its audience to breathe, Killing Ground merely sets the stage and lets the misery unfold for its victims.
Killing Ground isn’t based on a true story, events, or inspired by a true crime case in particular. But what happens to certain victims isn’t far-fetched, and that’s part of what makes those moments so stomach churning. There’s no sugar-coating or cutting away from most of the violence, minus the sexual violence that doesn’t occur onscreen, and it’s all because two people felt like doing what they did. The ending isn’t happy and is left to be extremely ambiguous, which might not sit well with some.
Hounds of Love (2016)
A story of survival is sometimes very much needed in a film like this one. Hounds of Love is set in 1987 and follows Vicki (Ashleigh Cummings), a teen girl in Australia who gets kidnapped by a couple and must do her best to get out of her disturbing circumstances. The film is full of dread and unease, but also bravery from Vicki because she endures absolute hell in that house.
Hounds of Love isn’t inspired by a singular case but takes inspiration from several cases, especially the Moorhouse murders. Though the film more closely resembles the story of the only surviving victim of David and Catherine Birnie, Kate Moir. It’s a horrific story, and Hounds of Love doesn’t have it play out exactly like the case. But it’s a deeply unsettling film that isn’t trying to make people feel safe. And in regard to the subject matter, that’s the whole point.
Lake Bodom (2016)
There’s something about surprising twists in slashers, you know? Lake Bodom follows Finnish young adults who aim to camp where the 1960s Lake Bodom murders happened. Naturally everything goes awry and nobody has a good time out in the woods. Upon first watch you might find yourself surprised by a few things that happen and the ending is absolutely miserable.
As the title suggests and the film even mentions the Lake Bodom murders, Lake Bodom was inspired by the unsolved Finnish 1960s case of the massacre. Only one person survived what happened that night and sustained injuries. The killer was never caught and those cases are incredibly eerie to think about.
Vanessa Maki
