The theme of hospices in horror films often explores the thin veil between life and death, making for a uniquely unsettling setting. This collection of films delves into the eerie atmosphere of these places, where the living are surrounded by the dying, and sometimes, the dead. These movies offer a blend of psychological horror, supernatural elements, and the macabre, providing a spine-chilling experience for fans of the genre.
The Others (2001)
Description: This film takes place in a secluded mansion where a woman and her two photosensitive children live, believing it to be a hospice for the living. However, the house harbors dark secrets and ghostly presences.
Fact: Nicole Kidman's performance earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the Golden Globe Awards. The film was shot in Spain, despite its English setting.
Watch Now
Session 9 (2001)
Description: A crew working to remove asbestos from an abandoned mental hospital, which once served as a hospice, begins to unravel as they discover tapes of past patients and encounter supernatural phenomena.
Fact: The film was shot in the Danvers State Hospital, known for its haunting history. The movie uses real patient recordings from the hospital.
Watch Now
The Skeleton Key (2005)
Description: A hospice nurse takes a job at a plantation home turned into a hospice, only to uncover dark voodoo practices and a sinister plot.
Fact: The film was shot on location at the Felicity Plantation in Louisiana, adding to its eerie authenticity.
Watch Now
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
Description: Although primarily set in a courtroom, the film includes flashbacks to Emily's time in a hospice-like setting where she undergoes exorcisms.
Fact: The film is loosely based on the real-life case of Anneliese Michel, whose story also inspired other horror films.
Watch Now
The Ward (2010)
Description: Set in a psychiatric hospital, which can be considered a type of hospice for mental health, this film follows a young woman who encounters a ghost haunting her ward.
Fact: This was John Carpenter's first feature film in 10 years. Amber Heard stars as the lead, Kristen.
Watch Now
The Awakening (2011)
Description: A skeptical woman investigates ghostly sightings at a boarding school, which once served as a hospice during World War I, leading to chilling discoveries.
Fact: The film was shot at various historic locations in England, enhancing its eerie atmosphere.
Watch Now
The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Description: While not set in a hospice, the film involves a morgue, which is a place where the dead are prepared, akin to a hospice for the deceased. The story revolves around a mysterious corpse that seems to defy natural laws.
Fact: The film was praised for its slow-building tension and the performance of Olwen Kelly as Jane Doe.
Watch Now
The Devil's Backbone (2001)
Description: Set during the Spanish Civil War, this film features an orphanage that serves as a makeshift hospice for children, haunted by the ghost of a young boy.
Fact: Directed by Guillermo del Toro, this film is often considered a companion piece to his later work, "Pan's Labyrinth."
30 Days Free
The Orphanage (2007)
Description: This Spanish film, which has an English dub, involves a woman returning to the orphanage where she grew up, now turned into a hospice for children, to uncover the truth about her past.
Fact: The film was Spain's official selection for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 80th Academy Awards.
30 Days Free
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
Description: While not exclusively set in a hospice, the series features a haunted mansion that was once a hospice, making it a fitting addition to this list. The story follows the Crain family as they confront their past and the supernatural forces within the house.
Fact: The series is based on Shirley Jackson's 1959 novel of the same name. It was critically acclaimed for its storytelling and emotional depth.
30 Days Free
