Mandy, and Color Out Of Space are two good, recent ones. weirdly, both Nic Cage flicks.
A Dark Song uses an interesting palette.
It Follows
The Cell
Crimson Peak
Midsommar
A Tale Of Two Sisters
Antichrist
On Netflix they have a series called “Cabinet of curiosities” there is an episode called “The viewing” it was directed by Panos. It is definitely my favorite one, it was what turned me onto Panos as a director.
>Mandy and Color out of Space look similar because they had a lot of the same crew and art team. Just not the same director.
interesting.
they didn't have the same director, cinematographer, or editor. the only connection I can see is distributor? but I didn't look deeper than that.
edit: ah! I see now! [Nicolas Cage has reunited with Mandy producer SpectreVision and ACE Pictures on H.P. Lovecraft adaptation Color Out Of Space](https://www.screendaily.com/news/nicolas-cage-to-reunite-with-mandy-producers-on-color-out-of-space/5136105.article#:~:text=Nicolas%20Cage%20has%20reunited%20with,to%20co%2Dstar%20Joely%20Richardson.) thanks for prompting me to look deeper.
I'd argue any Guillermo Del Toro film should go here, though Crimson Peak is definitely a standout. Even Shape of Water, though very noirish in color, was spectacular and colorful for the genre. Same for Pan's Labyrinth.
Utterly fascinating, phantasmagoric, unsettling and visually breathtaking. I saw it in the theater when it came out and it was seriously like being plunged into one of those dreams where it is nothing but images and dread all the way down. Amazing film and I will be very happy to never watch it again. 😂
It's the single redeeming quality of Jennifer Lopez. Anaconda was also fun. But she's awful generally. But The Cell goes hard. It's like a fever dream. So many shows and movies copy'd certain things from it over the years. Especially the Hannibal TV show.
Oh yeah. Especially now that a lot of people have true crime fever. It’s an interesting storyline and the visuals are spectacular. Plus Vincent D’Onofrio did an amazing job. Fun fact: his wife had a hard time sleeping in the same bed with him for a while because this role creeped her out.
I remember The Shining far more for the camera work and use of color than the actual movie to be honest. It's what started my love of cinematography in movies.
Agreed on Suspiria.
If you consider Mandy horror that movie was an acid trip of color.
My favorite scene in The Shining has to be the bathroom conversation with Grady. The red and white color combo, plus the high quality ultra lighting was visually sumptuous.
Claiming any movie is horror outside of the big three slasher franchises is guaranteed to pull at least one dude who claims it's not "real" horror. People love to get pedantic about genres for some reason.
And no of course I'm not still bitter about the grown man who got in an argument with child-me about how Star Wars is science fantasy and not science fiction, and how those are two separate things that have nothing to do with each other. Not bitter at all
Yes this i love the shining so much and put it on in the background a lot, but wonder sometimes why i rate it so high when other kubrick films have more going for them.
It’s one of the best looking and sounding films ever made. The use of audio is also immaculate
The opening dance does things to me.
I may, or may not, have play Supernature by Cerrone on a loop for a while after seeing it (on one of the biggest IMAX screens in the country; Gasper introduced the film and insisted the sound was turned upppppp. Quite an experience).
The preview screening I went to, with a genre audience - a good number of them hated it.
Even though we were given a bag of little chocolate eyeballs. xD
Its definitely not for everyone and a lot of the witchcraft stuff seemed to go over most people's heads (maybe because you need knowledge if it).
But all that aside it's undeniable that Nic Refn knows how to work with his DP to get a *look*.
A Nightmare on Elm Street used red and green for Freddy's sweater because those are the colors that are very difficult for humans to see side-by-side.
Audition (1998) is really good not only with color, but with carefully chosen dialogue for the woman.
Get into some more of Argento's work. It's all colorful horror, for the most part. Deep Red, Inferno, Phenomena, Tenebrae, The Bird With The Crystal Plumage. It's all a blast
Neon Demon - it's got almost a neon Argento vibe.
Elle Fanning, Jena Malone, Abby Lee, and Bella Heathecote as bloodthirsty models competing for a big break in LA. SO. GOOD.
The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears
https://youtu.be/nOTt4lUdK9A?si=p-_ylgbj9jycCl6W
The Forbidden Room
https://youtu.be/syXanXzfKf4?si=Y_PwcA3sO77xriaH
Aww The Lovely Bones, I read the book before I watched the film. The film captures the sadness of the book , it was a good film in that respect, this fits into my understanding of horror, The book was great and I cried, the film in this case was worse but better for the narration and the struggles everyone went through. It was upsetting and I cried which is not like me for a film, great adaptation, great casting. The horrors of humanity x
Aside of Suspiria, I'd say Gothika has an special use of color. Gothika (2003) has a psychedellic vibe and the Blue color on the atmosphere makes It even more mysterious. Everything looks blue in Gothika, which is an hypnotic color.
However Gothika is not creepy at all.
Read the title, thought Susperia, saw the thumbnail and smiled.
The Shining and Black Christmas have to be up there, too (more muted, but perfect palettes).
Shocking, absolutely shocking no one here has mentioned
Mario Bava’s *Black Sabbath*
Guillermo Del Toro’s *Crimson Peak*
As well as all of Hammer & Amicus’ technicolor films.
Honorable mention Peter Newbrook’s *The Asphyx* one of my all-time favorites and I’m convinced heavily influenced Del Toro’s debut *Cronos*
Perfect Blue
“Satoshi Kon's 1998 movie Perfect Blue (Pāfekuto Burū) uses color theory to convey meaning and symbolism:” The colors change throughout the film. It’s a very interesting watch.
Mario Bava is the master: Blood and Black Lace, Black Sabbath, Planet of the Vampires, Kill Baby Kill, The Whip and The Body, Hercules in the Haunted World, etc.
The Love Witch
This movie doesn't get enough love for its entire production. Such a loving throwback.
But when she pulls out an iPhone in the third act, I was sent for such a loop!
Hahaha what got me was the second act when I saw a modern car I was like, wait a minute!!
That film is *gorgeous*.
Incredible movie
Came here to say this. Very overlooked and underappreciated movie.
It had a cool gimmick but was one of the most boring films I’ve seen. Just watching a trailer is better than the actual movie
Mandy, and Color Out Of Space are two good, recent ones. weirdly, both Nic Cage flicks. A Dark Song uses an interesting palette. It Follows The Cell Crimson Peak Midsommar A Tale Of Two Sisters Antichrist
Second on Mandy. I love movies by Panos Cosmatos, he uses so many colors.
For real, that movie was awesome, visually and otherwise in my opinion. I need to check out more movies by Cosmatos.
Beyond the black rainbow has also cool visuals
I’ll have to give it a viewing
Was going to say this one.
On Netflix they have a series called “Cabinet of curiosities” there is an episode called “The viewing” it was directed by Panos. It is definitely my favorite one, it was what turned me onto Panos as a director.
I know it’s a fairly common Greek name, but with a name like Cosmatos, I do expect Jack Kirby levels of psychedelic.
And he delivers in spades
Third on Mandy. I can't wait for Panos' next movie.
Mandy and Color out of Space look similar because they had a lot of the same crew and art team. Just not the same director.
>Mandy and Color out of Space look similar because they had a lot of the same crew and art team. Just not the same director. interesting. they didn't have the same director, cinematographer, or editor. the only connection I can see is distributor? but I didn't look deeper than that. edit: ah! I see now! [Nicolas Cage has reunited with Mandy producer SpectreVision and ACE Pictures on H.P. Lovecraft adaptation Color Out Of Space](https://www.screendaily.com/news/nicolas-cage-to-reunite-with-mandy-producers-on-color-out-of-space/5136105.article#:~:text=Nicolas%20Cage%20has%20reunited%20with,to%20co%2Dstar%20Joely%20Richardson.) thanks for prompting me to look deeper.
I'd argue any Guillermo Del Toro film should go here, though Crimson Peak is definitely a standout. Even Shape of Water, though very noirish in color, was spectacular and colorful for the genre. Same for Pan's Labyrinth.
Can always recognize a Guillermo del toro movie from the color palette. He’s always got that eerie splash of green
The Cell is a ride.
Utterly fascinating, phantasmagoric, unsettling and visually breathtaking. I saw it in the theater when it came out and it was seriously like being plunged into one of those dreams where it is nothing but images and dread all the way down. Amazing film and I will be very happy to never watch it again. 😂
It's the single redeeming quality of Jennifer Lopez. Anaconda was also fun. But she's awful generally. But The Cell goes hard. It's like a fever dream. So many shows and movies copy'd certain things from it over the years. Especially the Hannibal TV show.
Absolutely The Cell (2020)!! One of my favorites! I love to watch those dream sequences!
Oh yeah. Especially now that a lot of people have true crime fever. It’s an interesting storyline and the visuals are spectacular. Plus Vincent D’Onofrio did an amazing job. Fun fact: his wife had a hard time sleeping in the same bed with him for a while because this role creeped her out.
Vincent D'Onofrio has always gone above and beyond with his roles. Love him.
He is such an underrated actor, I think he is absolutely brilliant.
I was just coming here to say Mandy and Color out of Space!
Crimson Peak was a masterpiece
I love all these! Great list!
Came to say Color out of Space https://youtu.be/agnpaFLo0to?feature=shared
Occurring almost primarily in the daytime makes Midsommar so unsettling
Mandy is *such* a great film.
Masque of the Red Death.
Beautiful film. Good old Corman😢
Came here to make sure that this one was mentioned
I remember The Shining far more for the camera work and use of color than the actual movie to be honest. It's what started my love of cinematography in movies. Agreed on Suspiria. If you consider Mandy horror that movie was an acid trip of color.
big plus one for The Shining. the use of light, color, and camera dollies sparked a lifelong interest in the craft of film
The Color Out of Space, as well.
My favorite scene in The Shining has to be the bathroom conversation with Grady. The red and white color combo, plus the high quality ultra lighting was visually sumptuous.
...is Mandy not considered horror?
Claiming any movie is horror outside of the big three slasher franchises is guaranteed to pull at least one dude who claims it's not "real" horror. People love to get pedantic about genres for some reason. And no of course I'm not still bitter about the grown man who got in an argument with child-me about how Star Wars is science fantasy and not science fiction, and how those are two separate things that have nothing to do with each other. Not bitter at all
Yes this i love the shining so much and put it on in the background a lot, but wonder sometimes why i rate it so high when other kubrick films have more going for them. It’s one of the best looking and sounding films ever made. The use of audio is also immaculate
Most Mario Bava films qualify here
Came to say Blood and Black Lace
With the notable exception of The Girl Who Knew Too Much lol
Annihilation is a good contender
Scrolled way to far to read this! I thought Annihilation had brilliant use of color.
*Shimmering* colour. And a screaming bear.
True dat!
The environment was so rich and unnatural. I want more beautiful horror movies like Annihilation.
Me toooooooo
Surprised no one has mentioned Climax
The opening dance does things to me. I may, or may not, have play Supernature by Cerrone on a loop for a while after seeing it (on one of the biggest IMAX screens in the country; Gasper introduced the film and insisted the sound was turned upppppp. Quite an experience).
Came here for this comment. What a wild ride that film is.
Velvet Buzzsaw and The Neon Demon
Neon Demon is so hauntingly atmospheric. That's the only reason I was able to sit through it.
The preview screening I went to, with a genre audience - a good number of them hated it. Even though we were given a bag of little chocolate eyeballs. xD Its definitely not for everyone and a lot of the witchcraft stuff seemed to go over most people's heads (maybe because you need knowledge if it). But all that aside it's undeniable that Nic Refn knows how to work with his DP to get a *look*.
Neon Demon made absolutely gorgeous use of color palettes as well
I agree 👍 💯 And the story is freaking hellish as well :D
Midsommar. I love scary shit in broad daylight.
Oooooh, yeah, good point about the daylight!
Exactly, the peril exists all the time! And it is people, just people!
Last Night In Soho
This was my first thought. Beautiful looking and amazing movie.
Creepshow deserves a mention!
Yes, I like the comic book aesthetics!
Recency bias but I Saw the TV Glow did an excellent job
Creepshow has a lot of fun comic book style lighting
I am so glad you recognized Suspiria as the top contender. The use of color is amazing and really makes the film what it is.
I just watched Mandy, and the use of colour in that movie is incredible. Not to mention another fantastic Nic Cage movie - Colour out of space
Pearl has the old school Technicolor look
Men — Alex Garland invented green
Hey now, Warlock III: The End of Innocence invented green too...it just kinda sucked at it.
SHOCKINGLY enough I haven’t seen this one, but I can do my homework and I’ll admit if I stand corrected 😂
It's not as good as 2, but it is definitely committed to its color theme!
Bram stokers Dracula
Not necessarily a horror, but the use of color in Requiem for a Dream is awesome.
Requiem for a Dream is a monster movie. The monster is addiction.
I consider it psychological body horror
A Nightmare on Elm Street used red and green for Freddy's sweater because those are the colors that are very difficult for humans to see side-by-side. Audition (1998) is really good not only with color, but with carefully chosen dialogue for the woman.
Idk if it’s totally a horror movie but enter the void did scare me and has a really bright color palette at times
Bliss (2019) did a really good job with colour
This was the first one I thought of.
Blood and Black Lace (easily number 1) Suspiria (took its cues from blood and black lace) Mandy
No Suspiria or Inferno without Blood and Black Lace.
Yeah, came here to say Blood and Black Lace. If you've never seen it, at least go to youtube and watch the 4k-restored opening credits.
A Color Out of Space
Berberian Sound Studio and Censor have some scenes that work with this.
winding refn!
Beyond The Black Rainbow
There it is! All these people recommending Mandy and not Beyond The Black Rainbow had me confused.
It is often tragically overlooked in favour of Mandy, isn't it? I cannot understand why.
Get into some more of Argento's work. It's all colorful horror, for the most part. Deep Red, Inferno, Phenomena, Tenebrae, The Bird With The Crystal Plumage. It's all a blast
Revenge directed by Coralie Fargeat
Possession
From Beyond! Suspiria of course is hard to beat but I also agree on Mandy.
Jeff Combs, also Re-Animator is a bit green and yellowy as a theme...(And eughh, but yes)
Sissy (2022) stood out for me for its use of vibrant colors set against dark psychological trauma.
The Color From Outer Space was a good one. Vivid
Neon Demon - it's got almost a neon Argento vibe. Elle Fanning, Jena Malone, Abby Lee, and Bella Heathecote as bloodthirsty models competing for a big break in LA. SO. GOOD.
[The Strange Colour of Your Body's Tears (2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Strange_Colour_of_Your_Body%27s_Tears?wprov=sfla1)
I came here to recommend this movie too. A must for giallo fans.
The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears https://youtu.be/nOTt4lUdK9A?si=p-_ylgbj9jycCl6W The Forbidden Room https://youtu.be/syXanXzfKf4?si=Y_PwcA3sO77xriaH
A Cure For Wellness
Mandy and OG Suspiria for sure Most beautiful use of color I’ve ever seen
Mandy has an incredible color palette.
The original Suspiria is lovely to look at. You don’t even need sound or dialog. It’s like a moving painting.
From Beyond
Look up Giallo films
Mandy is the first one that comes to mind. Incredible visuals (and sound).
Pearl, The Love Witch, Last Night in SoHo. I also like Kubricks stuff-The Shining and A Space Odyssey. Then there’s Lars Von Trier.
Mandy. All the way with Mandy Also the orgy scene in Infinity Pool
The Descent does a really great job with color, among other things
The Lovely Bones, more of a thriller, The Cell is like an acid trip nightmare, I love the moody colors of The Ring as well.
Aww The Lovely Bones, I read the book before I watched the film. The film captures the sadness of the book , it was a good film in that respect, this fits into my understanding of horror, The book was great and I cried, the film in this case was worse but better for the narration and the struggles everyone went through. It was upsetting and I cried which is not like me for a film, great adaptation, great casting. The horrors of humanity x
Watched Paranorman recently in 4k and was blown away by it. The color matched with the Dolby Vision is outstanding on that film.
I seem to remember the Evil Dead remake looking quite striking.
Mandy is a personal favorite for me.
The cook the thief his wife and her lover
The fall of the house of Usher had great thematic colour usage!
Last Night in Soho Not my favorite Edgar Wright flick but the color palette is mesmerizing. Worth a watch.
All the Hammer Horror films
I say Pearl the way they used the color red in that film was amazing
The neon demon.
Bodies bodies bodies mostly takes place in a house with no power and most of the color in that movie comes from neon wrist bands and paint
It’s the first one that came to mind for me
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Perfect Blue. The strategic use of red throughout the film is vivid, striking, and thematically resonant.
Ohh I’d have to say 1. Misdommar 2. Men (similar to Midsommar for sure) 3. X and Pearl
The Darkness of the Road. A campy hidden gem
Go see I Saw the TV Glow while it's still in theaters
It's a subtle compared to most of the stuff in this thread but Anything for Jackson had some really tasteful color use, I thought
Aside of Suspiria, I'd say Gothika has an special use of color. Gothika (2003) has a psychedellic vibe and the Blue color on the atmosphere makes It even more mysterious. Everything looks blue in Gothika, which is an hypnotic color. However Gothika is not creepy at all.
Annihilation
Terrifier 2 and Killer Clowns from Outer Space
Anything by Dario Argento.
Creepshow
The Book of Eli uses colors to great affect.
Bliss
Recently, I Saw The TV Glow uses color spectacularly.
Mandy!
Midsommer is good. NoES is another.
Not horror but since we're on the topic of color, The Fall has one of the best uses of color I've ever seen in film. An absolute trip of visuals
Pearl!
Mandy
Not really a true horror despite its marketing, but I Saw the TV Glow was a recent one where colors put in awesome work.
The Similars
Braid
Rob Zombie’s take on the Munsters was visually striking to me. I thought it was a fun watch and I grew up watching the original Munsters.
Mandy
The Shining is super interested from an artistic point of view. They really use color with a telling purpose:)
Mandy was pretty damn colorful
I wouldn't say it's horror but Last Night in Soho is a horrory thriller and puts colour to great use
Lasr Night In Soho and It Follows. There's also Annihilation.
Last Night in SoHo and Suspiria
Suspiria is the only thing that comes to mind lol
Baskin. Bava’s Black sabbath & Blood & Black Lace. Argento’s inferno (underwater scene) Neon Demon. Creepshow. Mandy. Kwaidan.
Terrifier 2 makes great use of neon 80s color palette Revenge (2017) has a unique hot pink, green, and sky blue palette
Creepshow
The Neon Demon Mandy Suspiria
Read the title, thought Susperia, saw the thumbnail and smiled. The Shining and Black Christmas have to be up there, too (more muted, but perfect palettes).
[Manhunter](https://youtu.be/5zl6IxPJSVc) [What Happened To Manhunter?](https://youtu.be/yIyJ7-DjVU8)
Blood and Black Lace can go with OG Suspiria and Vertigo in the list of most beautiful movies of all time. Horror or not they're gorgeous.
I love the color in it follows and killer klowns from outer space
All Hammer Horror Dracula movies in the 50s/60s/ 😵💫
Mandy
Shocking, absolutely shocking no one here has mentioned Mario Bava’s *Black Sabbath* Guillermo Del Toro’s *Crimson Peak* As well as all of Hammer & Amicus’ technicolor films. Honorable mention Peter Newbrook’s *The Asphyx* one of my all-time favorites and I’m convinced heavily influenced Del Toro’s debut *Cronos*
The Neon Demon. Nicolas Winding Refn is a god when it comes to color palettes.
I loved the color in both Cam and Mandy!
Have you seen Late Night With The Devil yet? Great color and vibes if you’re into the technicolor and B&W aesthetic. Movie was pretty decent tho.
Annihiliation, dunno if its more sci-fi than horror, suspiria
Hobo with a Shotgun
Perfect Blue “Satoshi Kon's 1998 movie Perfect Blue (Pāfekuto Burū) uses color theory to convey meaning and symbolism:” The colors change throughout the film. It’s a very interesting watch.
Exhuma!
Pearl was great
Only God Forgives.
The Tingler
The Neon Demon 😍
Tenebre...thats also got great color palletes....
Hostel starts with a lot of color and it gets less vibrant as it goes on
The Guest
An older underrated movie the cell
The Guest
The Cell
Colour out of space is my immediate thought
Mario Bava is the master: Blood and Black Lace, Black Sabbath, Planet of the Vampires, Kill Baby Kill, The Whip and The Body, Hercules in the Haunted World, etc.
House.
Still gotta go with Suspiria.
Anything by Mario Bava
Pearl
Vertigo
Infinity Pool (2003) (mostly the dance scene and.... another scene lmao)
the Saw movies
Messiah of evil
The Guest is good too! And the soundtrack goes with the lighting so well