The drug culture has always been a source of fascinating horror for filmmakers. Drugs can offer a window into the dark side of human nature, and they can be used to create suspense, dread, and fear. Thought-provoking and scary films about drug use and abuse have been created throughout time to shine a light on topics that are often ignored or misunderstood.
During the late 1960s and 1970s, films such as Easy Rider (1969), The Panic in Needle Park (1971), and Taxi Driver (1976) offered a look at the seedy underside of drug use, with a brutally honest look at addiction. In more recent years, directors have continued to explore the horror of drugs in devastating films about substance use, such as Requiem for a Dream (2000), Traffic (2000), and Bug (2006).
Looking at the horror genre specifically, there are a number of films that use drugs as a plot device to create fear and suspense. Here are some of the most notable horror movies about drugs.
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7 Antibirth (2016)
IFC Films
Written and directed by Danny Perez, Antibirth is a body horror film that deals with the horrors of drug use and addiction. The film follows Lou (Natasha Lyonne), a hard-partying woman who finds herself dealing with vile physical symptoms after a night of heavy drug use. Lou suspects that she may be pregnant as her condition worsens, leading her to spiral through a grotesque series of events.
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Antibirth is a shocking and disturbing film that highlights many issues surrounding drug use and addiction. The film is not for the faint of heart, but it is a unique, if not downright weird, piece of horror cinema that should be seen by those interested in the genre.
6 Alyce Kills (2011)
Scream HQ
Directed by Jay Lee, Alyce Kills is a film that follows an explicit journey into the depths of grief, mental health, and drug addiction. The main character, Alyce (Jane Dornfeld), is a young woman struggling to cope with the death of her best friend. In an effort to numb her pain, Alyce turns to drugs, alcohol, and violence, which leads her down a dark path of self-destruction.
As Alyce’s grip on reality loosens, the film takes on a more surreal and nightmarish quality. There are nods to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland throughout the film, which only adds to the sense of unease. Alyce Kills is a chilling and brutal film with an ending sequence that leaves audiences stunned.
5 Climax (2018)
Wild Bunch
Directed by Gaspar Noé, Climax is a film that explores the nightmarish possibilities of drug-induced hallucinations. The incredibly hypnotic movie follows a group of dancers who are rehearsing for a big performance. After indulging in some sangria that’s been laced with LSD, the dancers begin to experience terrifying hallucinations.
There is a message of caution in Climax, but it’s also a visually stunning film that will leave you reeling. Noé expertly creates a sense of unease and dread, and the film’s ending is sure to stick with you long after the credits have rolled.
4 Lovely Molly (2011)
RLJE Films
Lovely Molly is a unique blend of found footage and psychological horror that deals with the horrors of drug addiction. The film follows Molly (Gretchen Lodge), a young woman who is dealing with sobriety, frightening visions, and painful memories brought on by moving into her late parents’ home. As Molly falls back into her addiction, things turn dark and violent.
Lovely Molly is a deeply unsettling and unnerving film that will leave you feeling wondering what’s real and what’s not. It’s a harrowing portrait of addiction and may leave you with more questions than answers.
3 Rust Creek (2018)
Directed by Jen McGowan, Rust Creek deals with the dangers of drug use in rural America. The film follows Sawyer (Hermione Corfield from The Road Dance), a young woman who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. While traveling to a job interview, Sawyer ends up lost in a rural area of the Appalachian forest. She soon finds herself at the mercy of a group of violent outlaws.
Rust Creek is a tense and suspenseful film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s a brutal and harrowing look at the dark side of America, and it’s certain to leave you feeling uneasy.
2 Synchronic (2019)
Patriot Pictures
Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, Synchronic is a science fiction film that deals with the horrors of drug use. The plot follows two paramedics (Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan) who are dealing with a series of strange deaths. The victims all seem to have died while under the influence of a new designer drug called Synchronic.
As the paramedics try to piece together what’s happening, they begin to experience terrifying hallucinations. Synchronic is a mind-bending film that will leave you questioning what’s real and what’s not. It’s a chilling and unnerving look at the dark side of human nature and has thought-provoking things to say about the dangers of drug use.
1 Toad Road (2012)
SpectreVision
Directed by Jason Coffman, Toad Road deals with the dangers of drug use and the occult. The film follows Sara (Sara Anne Jones), a college student who becomes obsessed with exploring the dark world of Toad Road. Toad Road is a place where urban legends say that seven gates lead to seven different levels of Hell.
As Sara delves deeper into the world of Toad Road, it becomes clear that the urban legends are true. Once Sara and her friends enter the first gate, there’s no turning back. This film is a chilling and unsettling look at the dark side of urban legends and distorted reality.
