Horror is a dying breed. There’s always something new to be scared of, and with advancing culture and advancing technology, new sources of terror are found on a daily basis. And as it is in gaming, so is it in film. In New Zealand, a country that’s famous for its past in film, horror films tap into both universal fears and local mythologies to deliver some pretty darned frightful experiences.
Today, let’s explore five of the best horror movies and directors from the country of the long white cloud. What are they so special about, and how do they hold up to the rest of international horror?
Housebound (2014)
Of all the Kiwi horror movies, ‘Housebound’ is one of the most cherished. It mixes horror with dark comedy in a manner that is done by very few. Under Gerard Johnstone, Housebound was the tale of a troubled female protagonist who was put under house arrest in the family home but finds that house might be possessed. Housebound gained a cult following in its wake, raking in plaudits for its off-centre tone and cutting-edge script. New Zealanders love it for the mixture of domestic taste and overseas horror subject matter, spiced up with humor to make it stand out among so many straight-faced horror films.
The Spookers (2017)
To get the true New Zealand horror experience, ‘The Spookers’ transports viewers to one of the country’s most famous haunted houses: Auckland’s Spookers Haunted House attraction. This horror-attribution film genre looks at the people behind the terror attraction, blending factual fear and stage frights. While not a conventional horror film, its application of fear and its focus on the local culture and the bizarre nature of terror attractions makes it worth seeing for Kiwis.
Deathgasm (2015)
Horror and heavy metal enthusiasts would label ‘Deathgasm’ as a cult classic, New Zealand’s staple horror movie. The in-your-face horror-comedy directed by Jason Lei Howden follows the lives of a group of teenagers who unknowingly release a demonic presence while trying to create an evil riff. The film is gore-packed, humorous, and unrepentant carnage, and its mix of metal culture and horror is the reason why it stands out in the crowd compared to the rest of the genre. It’s particularly popular with New Zealanders who appreciate its humor and its portrayal of Kiwi youth culture.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
A horror-comedy masterpiece from the genius of Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ is a mockumentary on the lives of four vampire roommates in modern Wellington. Offbeat, hilarious, and warm, it reinvented the genre of vampire with its new twist. What We Do in the Shadows is beloved not only in New Zealand but all around the world, because of its snappy wit and the imaginative way it mixes horror with ordinary life. Such was the success of this film that it became the basis of a television show, and one of the best-known Kiwi horror comedies.
The Last Templar (2023)
Another comparatively new addition to the horror film fraternity, ‘The Last Templar’ is a supernatural thriller that combines Kiwi film with ancient myths and historic intrigue. The film is set in an isolated New Zealand town and has a group of archaeologists who uncover a dark secret in the past that leads them into a horrific supernatural force. With its eerie atmosphere and local lore, this movie brings a fresh spin to the genre, mixing New Zealand landscape with imagery of horror familiar but appallingly unsettling.
Looking across this spectrum, one notices that the New Zealand horror movie is a hybrid genre film blending elements of humor, dark fantasy, and supernatural fear with a unique flavor of its own. Kiwi filmmakers are unafraid to push boundaries, creating films that both entertain and chill audiences. While New Zealand shares a love for global horror trends, it also continues to carve out its own niche, tapping into its rich cultural heritage. Perhaps one day, we’ll see even more Kiwi-oriented horror films, with Māori legends like taniwha and the supernatural worlds of Aotearoa ready for exploration on the big screen.
For other kinds of spooky thrills, there are plenty of horror themed pokies to go around for fans of online gaming.
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