Los Angeles, with its sprawling urban landscape and iconic landmarks, has often served as a backdrop for horror films. This curated list dives into the eerie underbelly of LA, showcasing films where the city itself becomes a character in the narrative. From haunted Hollywood to sinister suburbs, these movies offer a thrilling exploration of fear and suspense, making them a must-watch for fans of horror cinema and those intrigued by the darker side of the City of Angels.
The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
Description: This film takes the concept of the American Dream and turns it into a nightmare as a family on a road trip to California is terrorized by a group of cannibalistic mutants in the desert near Los Angeles.
Fact: The film was inspired by the legend of Sawney Bean, a 16th-century Scottish cannibal, and was remade in
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The Dead Zone (1983)
Description: Although not set in LA, the film's director, David Cronenberg, has a connection to the city, and the film's themes of fate and horror resonate with LA's cinematic history.
Fact: The film was adapted from Stephen King's novel, and its eerie atmosphere could fit well within LA's darker corners.
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The Ring (2002)
Description: While not exclusively set in LA, significant scenes occur in the city, where a cursed videotape leads to a deadly curse, showcasing the urban mythos of Los Angeles.
Fact: The film is a remake of the Japanese horror film "Ringu" and was one of the first American remakes of a J-horror film to gain widespread acclaim.
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The House of the Devil (2009)
Description: Set in the 1980s, this film captures the eerie atmosphere of a suburban Los Angeles house where a babysitter encounters satanic rituals.
Fact: The film was shot on 16mm film to give it an authentic 80s horror movie feel.
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The Neon Demon (2016)
Description: This film delves into the dark side of the modeling industry in Los Angeles, where beauty becomes a deadly obsession.
Fact: The film was shot in Los Angeles, with many scenes filmed at real locations like the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
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The Invitation (2015)
Description: This psychological horror film takes place in a Los Angeles mansion where a dinner party turns sinister, exploring themes of grief and paranoia.
Fact: The film was shot in one location, a real house in Los Angeles, to maintain the claustrophobic atmosphere.
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It Follows (2014)
Description: While not set in Los Angeles, the film's director, David Robert Mitchell, is from LA, and the film's suburban setting reflects the city's outskirts.
Fact: The film was shot in Detroit, but its themes of urban decay could easily be transposed to LA's less glamorous neighborhoods.
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The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Description: While the setting is a small town, the film's exploration of supernatural horror and its connection to Los Angeles through its director, André Øvredal, makes it a fitting inclusion.
Fact: The film was shot in London, but its themes of uncovering dark secrets could easily be imagined in LA's underbelly.
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The Exorcist III (1990)
Description: Although primarily set in Washington, D.C., key scenes are filmed in Los Angeles, where the demonic forces continue to haunt Detective Kinderman.
Fact: The film features a famous scene known as "The Hallway Scene," which was shot in one continuous take.
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The Entity (1982)
Description: Set in Los Angeles, this film tells the chilling true story of a woman who claims to be repeatedly assaulted by an invisible entity, exploring themes of trauma and disbelief.
Fact: The film was based on the real-life experiences of Doris Bither, whose story was documented in a book by Frank De Felitta.
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