Action-horror moviesare a great mixture of thrill and fear. Unlike conventional horror movies that are slow-paced and only seem to come to life during the climax, action horror films are a rollercoaster ride that twists and turns at every corner. The marriage between these two genres brings out the best of both worlds, while balancing out each other’s flaws.
The infusion of action in the horror world also acts as an outlet for the characters to vent their inner fears, making it more relatable and palatable for the audience. This further deepens the viewer’s engagement and makes the story more rememberable compared to conventional horror films. So that being said, whip out some popcorn, switch off the lights, and binge these underrated action horror movies.
Mayhem (2017)
An action horror comedy by definition, a pseudo zombie gorefest at heart, Joe Lynch’sMayhemis exactly what it sells itself to be. After a viral infection breaks out at an uptight corporate office, employees start behaving badly… very badly.Mayhem’smerit lies in its creativeapproach to killing and tension-building, presented with a slice of tongue-in-cheek humor. Lynch also adds an angle of social commentary at the workplace to necessitate the violence, making the film all the more relatable.
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VFW (2019)
VFWis a good old-fashioned gorefest, led by some old-school, hard-boiled heroes. The film’s plot revolves around a girl named Lizard, who runs into a bar full of veterans, seeking shelter from degenerate drug dealers after stealing a bag full of stolen drugs. Bound by duty, the veterans decide to put up a last fight as they protect Lizard from the drug addicts. From a moral standpoint,VFWoutlines the difference between the two generations as it paints the veterans as men of morals and value and the drug dealers as a group of degenerates, all while punctuating its point with a lot of blood and violence.
Dog Soldiers (2002)
Dog Soldiersis one of the most underrated gems of the werewolf movie genre. A trigger-happy movie that shoots first and thinks later,Dog Soldierspits a group of motley soldiers against a pack of bloodthirsty werewolves. Director Neil Marshall’s debut film was strapped for resources but not for ingenuity; the English directorkeeps things interesting with a steady streamof dark and dry humor, before finally bringing out the big guns and letting the bullets fly.
Dracula Untold (2014)
For the longest time, Dracula was always associated with dimly-lit castles and eerie bats flying around. Gary Shore took a different approach to the legendary vampire by tracking his origin and focussing on how Dracula became Dracula. The film was released to mixed reviews from critics, but was a welcomehit with the fans, grossing over$217 million worldwide.
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Darkman (1990)
Darkmanis based on a short story written by director Sam Raimi that paid homage to the horror films of the ’30s. Taking inspiration from the world of mad science coupled with cartoonish noir lighting and some weird special effects, Raimi’s film is the perfect one to watch if you’re in the mood to shut off your brain and let the story take over your senses.
Mandy (2018)
Panos Cosmatos’Mandyis an underrated masterpiece of the action horror genre, withNicolas Cage doing all the heavy lifting, and doing it well. The film starts off on a note of magical realism, where Red (Nicolas Cage) and his wife Mandy are living a life that’s too good to be true. Red and Mandy’s twilight zone is pierced when Mandy gets kidnapped by a cult and their sadistic leader catapults Red on a path of blood and vengeance.
The visuals of Cosmatos’ film are tonally lush and stylistic, creating an overall visceral experience that demands you to submit to the story rather than analyze it.
Legion (2010)
A cocktailfull of mythology, demons, and angels, Scott Stewart’s movie is a polarizing film that fans either love or hate. Playing on the conventional doomsday trope, it puts a lot of emphasis on one man, or angel in this case, who bears the weight of humanity while fending off demons and a god that’s given up on humans. Rather than just going full-in with action, Scott Stewart’s inclusion of horror elements and an overarching demonic presence makes the movie an entertaining watch.
Underworld (2003)
In terms of plot,Underworldis as surprisingly bizarre as they come. The film paints a picture of a time when vampires are at war with the Lycans (werewolves) and follows Selene, a trained vampire killer who works for a vampire clan as a trained assassin. Things take a turn for the absurd when Selene falls in love with a human doctor, who is being targeted by Lycans for unknown reasons.
With chilling gothic visuals and a dark palette,Underworldhas a very niche followingbut outdid expectations at the box office, grossing $95 million against a production budget of $22 million.
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They Live (1988)
After an extensive filmography in the horror genre, John Carpenter’s name has become synonymous with a distinct sense of quality. For his 1988 film,They Live,Carpenter provided extensive social commentary on late Reagan politics under the garb of horror. While Carpenter’s films have a general sense of messaging,They Liveworks as an extreme meditation on the inhumanity of capitalism and the government controlling it.
Death Proof (2007)
Quentin Tarantino is known for epic films such asInglourious BasterdsandPulp Fiction,withDeath Proofbeing one of his most underrated movies. Bordering on the cusp of a great action movie with elements of horror and thriller,Death Proofworks on a simple plot aided by a dynamic cast. The film pays homage to the horror schlock of the past and is an eccentrically fast-paced action horror movie that will keep you at the edge of your seat.
