Our Favorite Horror Movie Moments of 2024

The year 2024 has been an exceptional one for horror enthusiasts. Filmmakers have continued to push the boundaries of the horror genre, delivering spine-chilling moments that have left audiences gasping in terror. From deeply unsettling psychological scenes to shocking creature reveals, this year’s horror films have been a masterclass in crafting unforgettable scares.

Among the plethora of standout moments, a few have carved themselves into the collective consciousness of fans. These scenes are not just frightening but also masterfully executed, blending exceptional acting, direction, and atmosphere. Here are the five best horror movie moments of 2024 that had us all on the edge of our seats.

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It’s Not A Mannequin – Oddity

The critically acclaimed Oddity is packed with eerie sequences, but none stands out as much as the “It’s Not A Mannequin” moment. Clairvoyant Darcy goes to the house of her brother-in-law, Ted, hoping to solve the murder of her sister, Dani. In what is an unsettling and often awkward movie, Darcy takes it up a notch by bringing what appears to be a mannequin with her.

Throughout Darcy’s investigation, the wooden “mannequin” can be seen in the background. Finally, it’s revealed exactly why she’s had it with her all the time. After concluding her investigation, Darcy reveals she knows Ted hired someone. To cover his tracks he mortally wounds Darcy and leaves her to die at the hands of the hitman he’d hired. However, just because she dies, Darcy performs a magic spell that brings the mannequin, now a golem to life. The golem pursues the hitman through the house and catches up with him, mauling him to death. It’s clear this golem won’t stop until it also gets ted and delivers Darcy and Dani a measure of revenge.

There Is Another – The First Omen

Prequels often struggle to live up to their predecessors, but The First Omen delivered a bone-chilling moment that will haunt audiences for years. “There Is Another” is the turning point of the film, where the young Damien’s nanny uncovers a prophecy revealing that Damien is not the only child of darkness.

During the surgical procedure, the doctor removes the placenta from Margaret and cuts it open, revealing Damien inside. But as the camera shifts, a second baby is uncovered, confirming that Damien has a twin sister. While Damien is fated to be defeated in The Omen, the revelation of a secret sibling alters the narrative entirely. Both Satan worshippers and the Catholic Church’s clandestine cabal will stop at nothing to find her, each hoping to use the child for their own purposes.

Although The First Omen seemed destined to be a standalone story, this clever retcon paves the way for the franchise to continue. By introducing Damien’s hidden twin sister, the filmmakers expanded The Omen‘s lore in a fresh way that stays true to its roots.

The Interview – Longlegs

Nicolas Cage’s performance in Longlegs is nothing short of mesmerizing, and “The Interview” scene is the film’s crowning achievement. The film follows an FBI profiler interviewing an enigmatic suspect named Kobble, played by Cage, who is connected to a series of gruesome murders.

During his police interview, Kobble spirals into a mesmerizing meltdown, tearfully singing Happy Birthday, shouting expletives, and disturbingly smooching at the camera while praising Satan. Just when the scene seems like it can’t get any more surreal, he smashes his face into the table, fatally caving in his skull. What makes this moment even more intriguing is how Kobble delivers key exposition amid his ramblings. Although his deranged manner makes it easy to dismiss his words as incoherent, the interview holds hidden significance. Revisiting this scene after watching Longlegs in its entirety reveals that Kobble was laying out the truth all along—only no one realized it at the time.

Monstro Elisasue – The Substance

The Substance is a disturbing exploration of obsession and transformation, and its standout moment is the reveal of Monstro Elisasue. The Substance centers on aging celebrity Elizabeth Sparkle, who is deeply frustrated by her declining career. Determined to reclaim her former glory, she takes a mysterious serum called the Substance, which creates a younger clone of herself named Sue. However, when Elizabeth dies, Sue’s body begins to deteriorate because she requires the stabilizing fluid from her original host to survive. Driven by desperation, Sue decides to use the Substance on herself, hoping to create a better, more stable clone. Yet, the narrative repeatedly emphasizes that the Substance wasn’t designed to be used that way, foreshadowing that something catastrophic is inevitable. What follows is far more harrowing than anyone could anticipate.

The moment the clone finally looks in the mirror, the horror is unveiled—a grotesque, malformed creature with distorted limbs, a chilling sight amplified by a deafening sound that guarantees a visceral jump scare. This monstrosity, known as Monstro Elisasue, makes its presence felt in a brief but unforgettable flash, leaving viewers grappling with what they’ve just witnessed. The most unsettling detail, however, is the head of the original Elizabeth fused grotesquely to the creature’s back, her face locked in an eternal, silent scream. While the film offers many haunting visuals after this point, nothing rivals the sheer impact of Monstro Elisasue’s horrifying debut, a moment destined to linger in the minds of audiences long after the credits roll.

Facehugger Chase – Alien: Romulus

Alien: Romulus is arguably the best entry in this sci-fi horror saga since Aliens. One of the things that makes this such a great movie is that the facehuggers are finally given their due, making them almost as terrifying as the xenomorphs when everything is said and done.

One major highlight of the movie is when our ensemble is being pursued by a dozen facehuggers, who keep launching themselves into the air, hoping to latch onto their victims. Even when these extra-terrestrials can’t be seen, it’s evident when they’re near, since canisters, chairs, and desks are being constantly knocked over. The terror is heightened further by the sounds of scuttling limbs, whipping tails, and ear-splitting shrieks. And then of course, when they find a victim, the anxiety only in this science fiction horror rachets up.

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