The Big Picture The 10 Best Horror Movies of 2025 and ‘Black Phone 2’
5 snips
Oct 21, 2025 
Chris Ryan, a film critic who dives into the intricacies of contemporary horror, and Alex Ross Perry, a filmmaker known for his engaging short segments, tackle the intriguing landscape of horror in 2025. They discuss the disappointing sequel 'Black Phone 2' and explore the current imbalance in the genre, where high-quality auteur films clash with weaker studio releases. Alex shares his creative process for his short in V/H/S/Halloween, revealing how personal fears shape his storytelling and what makes a horror anthology truly standout.
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Horror's Two-Tier Year
- 2025 shows a paradox: top-tier horror is exceptional while mid-tier feels thin and over-explanatory.
- Great filmmakers raised horror's ceiling but left a gap where routine studio horror struggles to deliver.
Let Directors Swing Big
- Empower distinctive auteurs with creative freedom for big, memorable horror films.
- Even a few effective scares let filmmakers take audiences anywhere, so fund bold visions.
Risk Beats Scale In Studio Horror
- Studio horror now often needs not just competent but great filmmakers to stand out.
- Modestly budgeted, risk-taking projects can still become unexpected hits.
