It is interesting that despite Hollywood being right in the middle of Los Angeles, not many films are set in Los Angeles. You see many instances ofhorrorfilms being set in small no, name towns in the United States, but they are being shot in Los Angeles. This leads to some humorous moments in films where you can spot idiosyncrasies like palm trees in middle America or outdoor lockers in places with colder climates. However, not all Hollywood movies eschew their filming locations. Here are some of the best horror movies that have settings in Los Angeles.
The Eye (2008)
First on the list, we haveThe Eye.This is a supernatural horror movie released in 2008 that starsJessica Albaand is directed by David Moreau. The film is a remake of another film of the same name, moving the setting to Los Angeles. In the film, a classical violinist named Sydney undergoes a cornea transplant to fix the blindness she has had since childhood. While the transplant is successful, it also allows her to see things she never intended to. She starts to see visions of people dying and other horrific scenes, causing her to question her sanity.
The film is gripping the whole way through. It makes effective use of creepy imagery and is effective at scaring the audience. The film’s setting primarily takes place in Los Angeles, and we see Sydney adjusting to the culture when regaining her eyesight. Part of the film also takes place in Mexico, where she goes to get her eye operation done.
Prince of Darkness (1987)
Prince of Darknessis aJohn Carpenter filmreleased in 1987. It is a supernatural horror story following a group of quantum physics students and a catholic priest in Los Angeles. A priest, played by Donal Pleasence, finds a vial of alien goo contained in a vial in a Los Angeles church cellar. He is immediately concerned and seeks out some science students to investigate it. As they investigate, they determine the slime is the essence of Satan. The slime starts to escape its containment, and all hell breaks loose, culminating in a battle in Los Angeles.
This film received high praise from critics on release.It has a high critic score and audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praise its clever ideas and compliment it for being a return to form for John Carpenter. Thanks to its fluid camera work and expert horror movie angles, the film contains many jump-scares. Carpenter is the master of the slow escalation of tension, andPrince of Darknessdoes not disappoint.
Mirror Mirror (1990)
The third film on this list isMirror Mirror.This 1990 horror film starts off in 1950s Iowa with a murder. Years later, a goth teenager named Megan moves to Los Angeles, California, with her mother. They move into a house that houses the same mirror that was present at the murder, which has since become possessed by a demonic force. If the wish is interrupted or stopped, the mirror will grant wishes, but with a deadly price. Megan begins getting bullied at school and uses the mirror to enact revenge and get the things she wants. Megan becomes consumed by power, and the people around her must convince her to fight the demon within the mirror.
The film was released at the Cannes Film Festival during the same year and was met with a generally positive reception. Critics liked how the nearly all-female cast and the themes about angst, narcissism, and teen popularity are told through a post-modern lens.
This is the End (2012)
Next, we have the filmThis is the End. It was released in 2013 and starredJames Franco, Jonah Hill, and Seth Rogen. The film is set in Hollywood and follows a group of six friends who are suddenly put into a crisis. The apocalypse has come and brought with it giant beams of light that start sucking people into the sky. After that, an earthquake strikes, and a sinkhole swallows the party guests with whom the six friends had been partying. After creatures appear, the friends must find a way to survive with limited supplies.
The film is notable for almost being entirely set in James Franco’s house.In an interview with Entertainment Weekly,Seth Rogen joked that he came up with the idea to shoot it at James Franco’s house before he even asked him first. Despite being a horror film, it is also hilarious and expertly crafted.
Lost Highway (1997)
Lost Highwayis asurreal horror film directed byDavid Lynchthat was released in 1997. This film tells the story of a Los Angeles jazz musician, played by Bill Pullman, and a young mechanic, played by Balthazar Getty. The narrative is split between the two people and is connected by the same actress playing the woman in their lives in both. It plays out as a foreboding mystery, and as is typical of Lynch, it can be difficult to tell precisely what is happening at all times. The film is rich with haunting visuals that will stay with you long after the runtime has ended. Film critics praised the film for its painterly aesthetic and intense visual style. This movie is easy to get lost in with its various dreamscapes and surreal escapes.
Predator 2 (1990)
Predator 2takes the iconic movie film the predator and has him attacking the city streets of Los Angeles. It is a horror science fiction film released in 1990 that stars Danny Glover, Gary Busey, and Ruben Blades. A predator has descended to earth again to watch the shootout between Los Angeles police and Jamaican drug cartels. The movie is set 10 years after the original film, and the police must find a way to deal with this alien threat that is stalking them. While the film received mixed reviews from critics at the time of release, people have grown to view it as a great movie. The musical score and performances have led to the movie gaining a cult following.
Related:Predator Movies in Order: How to Watch Chronologically and by Release Date
Drag Me to Hell (2009)
Another excellent horror movie set in Los Angeles isDrag Me to Hell. This film was directed by Sam Raimi and came out in 2009. It occurs in present-day Los Angeles, with a flashback to 1969 Pasadena. In the movie, a woman named Christine and her boyfriend land a job at a big bank in Los Angeles. However, Christine denies a woman an extension on her home loan, which causes her to place a curse on Christine. This curse threatens to condemn her soul to hell if she doesn’t find a way to live it. The film makes excellent use of Raimi’s often hilarious cynicism to create memorable moments. It uses old horror tropes together to poke fun at them while still being immensely entertaining.
Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
Wes Craven’sNew Nightmareis a meta take on theNightmare on Elm Streetseries that was released in 1994. In the film, Wes Craven, Heather Langenkamp, and Robert Englund portray themselves as characters considering making another film in Los Angeles. In a twist, the fantasy of Freddy Krueger gets mixed up with the reality of the world that made him, causing the characters to have to confront Freddy in the real world.
The film is praised for capturing the feeling of the original movie despite its somewhat unusual conceit. Wes Craven delivers unique visuals that expertly draw out fear in its audience. The movie examines the effect that making horror films has on the people who are responsible for creating them. It is an excellent example of a meta-horror film.
The Purge (2013)
The Purgeis a dystopian horror film set in a gated community in Los Angeles. It was released in 2013 and starred Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, and Adelaide Kane. The film examines the United States that elected a new political party following economic hardships. This political party instituted a yearly event known as “The Purge,” where all crime becomes legal for one night. Apparently, this is an effective policy, and it has reduced unemployment to 1% and has made the United States crime-free for the rest of the year.
This movie lands a high spot on its list for its political commentary and brutal violence. The dystopian concept is the perfect framing for a film with gripping suspense and well-done scenes of horror that send chills down your spine.The Purgeis an entertaining ride all the way through.
Related:The Purge: How the TV Series is More Horrifying Yet Relatable Than the Movies
They Live (1988)
They Liveis a science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter that follows a drifter with no name who has made it to Los Angeles. The drifter, played by Roddy Piper, discovers a pair of sunglasses that let him see the truth of the world. This truth is that the world is being run by a race of aliens pretending to be human and have put out messages of control hidden in television and advertising. When the film was released in 1988, it was seen as a fresh, subversive look at the horror and sci-fi genres. The movie also contains a fair bit of action, making it an excellent horror movie genre mashup. Many themes of the film, like consumerism and media control, seem to become more relevant with each passing decade.
