As we wrap up another year of hardships and setbacks, we take a look back at our favourite indie horror films from 2021. While the virus has mutated and spread, so has the phenomenal indie filmmaking, giving fans a boatload of amazing new content to consume and digest, despite all the adversity faced. Thankfully, there has been an onslaught of sincerely remarkable films released throughout the year, with many more on the horizon in the foreseeable future.
Although theatres continue to struggle and some have closed their doors, streaming has skyrocketed, allowing for more independent productions to climb the ladder. From menacing monsters, to chilling cryptids, to diabolical demons, and manical murders, it was a great year for indie horror. So, without further ado, here’s Monster’s list of top five indie horror films from 2021, with a caveat that I’ve decided to add a new category to the mix this time around, best horror short.
Short Film – Peter the Penguin (2020)
Peter the Penguin is a fantastic, jaw-dropping short horror film, written and directed by Andrew Rutter. It stars Chris Butler, Alex Kapila, Mia Hemerling, Joe Vapella, and Peter Terry. What happens when a young girl’s obsession with a giant stuffed penguin takes a turn for the worst? How far will a parent go to please their child?
This is, without a doubt, the most deranged and demented film to grace the screen this past year. It’s warped, morbid, and terrifyingly hilarious. The concept alone is completely original and creepy as fuck, and the writing, acting, and directing are absolutely exquisite. It’s sick, twisted, and definitely worth a spin, if you got the guts.
Special Mention – On the Trail of UFOs: Dark Sky (2021)
On the Trail of UFOs: Dark Sky is a fascinating documentary by Seth Breedlove and Small Town Monsters. It stars Shannon LeGro and Seth Breedlove. The skies are alive with unidentified aerial phenomena, but where are they coming from and what do they want from us? Shannon LeGro and Seth Breedlove continue their search for the truth in this brilliant, captivating deep dive into the lore surrounding UFOs.
This is one of the most comprehensive documentaries, concerning the subject of ufology. Hard hitting questions are asked and assessed in their quest for answers, as the STM crew does their best to suss out what’s really going on up there. It’s compelling, thought provoking, and downright spooky. An insightful, entertaining trek into the paranormal.
5. The Dark Offerings (2021)
The Dark Offerings is a dark and disturbing horror film, written by Elizabeth Piper S. and Marcus Sabline, and directed by Marcus Sabline. It stars Elizabeth Piper S., Clifton Dunn, Felissa Rose, Terry Alexander, Paul Sheehan, Lydia Kalmen, Michael Leavy, Tina Nikolova, Jason Leavy, Benjamin Frankenberg, David Howard Thornton, Eileen Dietz, Tamara Glenn, Marcus Slabine, Leon Andrew Joseph Zack Selwyn, Shawn C. Phillips, Spencer Charnas, Amiee Kuge. A young woman learns she’s cursed by a demon and must share it with others, or everyone dies.
This is the first feature film to be shot during quarantine, adhering to all safety precautions and social distancing protocols. It’s a demonic found footage style picture, similar to the 2014 Unfriended and 2016 Friend Request films. It’s wickedly cruel, eerie and sadistic. One truly messed up movie. A definite must-see for fans of online paranormal possession films.
4. Force to Fear (2021)
Force to Fear is a kickass midnight movie throwback to action horror thrillers from the 80s. The film is written and directed by Zane Herschberger. It stars Sable Griefel, Chad Burns, April Yanko, Ginny Griedel, Arjun Kumar, Nexus Lyons, Sé Marie, Mitchell Musolino, Ted Opalinski, George Saulnier, and Joseph Setticase. All hell breaks loose when a group of kids with a hidden agenda decide to party at an old rundown school, where they end up clashing with two kidnappers, a drug dealer, and an unstoppable serial killer with plans of his own.
This is an incredibly ruthless indie action flick, chock full of cool characters, awesome special effects, and first-rate fights. The choreographed stunts and combat sequences are awe-inspiring and absolutely phenomenal. It’s fierce, badass, and unrelenting. Pure popcorn entertainment.
Sound of Violence is a sleek, brutal, horrific horror thriller written and directed by Alex Noyer. The film stars Jasmin Savoy Brown, Lili Simmons, James Jagger, Tessa Munro, Dana L. Wilson, Kamia Benge, Wes McGee, Mataeo Mingo, Corsica Wilson, David Gironda Jr., Tara Elizabeth Cho, Brian Husky, Geo Lee, and Sarah Chaney. A woman loses her hearing after her family is brutally murdered when she was ten, only to regain it years later. Convinced she’ll go deaf once again, she becomes obsessed with sounds of violence and trauma, and rushes to complete her experimental recordings before time runs out.
This film is shocking, disturbing, and genuinely makes your skin crawl. It’s raw, original, and provocative, with an ending so gruesome, you have to see it to believe it. The sounds surround us on a daily basis, but are you really listening?
2. Acting (2020)
Acting is an intense horror thriller, written by Annabella Rich and Sam Mason Bell, and directed by Sam Mason Bell. It Stars Annabella Rich, Dan Rad, Abbie Hills, and Calum Beeson. At what lengths is a young up and coming actress is willing to go to, in order to secure her next starring role?
This is a gripping, terrifying tale of pure unbridled terror with some of the best indie acting in years. Annabella Rich absolutely kills it, delivering a hypnotic, one-of-a-kind, award-winning performance. It’s seductive, spellbinding, and seriously psychotic. A Hitchcockian masterpiece. A true tour de force. You do not want to miss this film. Check out the review of Acting here on Blazing Minds.
1. Monstrous Disunion (2021)
Monstrous Disunion is a disturbingly self-aware horror film written by Jackson Batchelor and Sam Mason-Bell, and directed by Jackson Batchelor. It stars Martin W. Payne, Jessamie Waldon-Day, Janet Evans, Alexandra Robertshaw, Ryan Carter, Connor Mellish, Simon Berry, Jackson Batchelor, and Tom Lee Rutter. As Brexit hangs in the balance, a freak viral outbreak hits, turning the community into greedy murderous mutant pig monsters.
This is a phenomenal debut feature from Jackson Batchelor. It’s an unnerving political portrait of the cultural landscape in the United Kingdom in early 2020, poking fun at the Brexit referendum. It’s wildly entertaining and unsettling, like a Twilight Zone episode on acid. If you’re looking for an awesome midnight monster flick, look no further. Do yourself a favour and check this one out, it’s one hell of a good time. Check out Monster’s review of Monstrous Disunion.
Donovan Smith, aka Monster Dugan is a writer, author, producer and mixed martial artist, who currently resides in Chandler, Arizona. A born and raised child of horror, Donovan is a cinephile and bibliophile, with knowledge of all things John Carpenter. Donovan is a reviewer and interviewer known for his extensive coverage of independent media.
