The vast, open plains can be a haunting setting for horror films, where the isolation and emptiness amplify the fear. This curated list of 10 horror films set on the plains offers a unique blend of atmospheric terror and psychological suspense. Each film uses the desolate landscape to create a chilling backdrop for its narrative, making it a must-watch for fans of horror cinema looking for something beyond the typical haunted house or urban setting.
The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
Description: While not set on the plains, the film's use of the desert landscape to create a sense of isolation and vulnerability makes it a fitting inclusion. The family's encounter with mutants in the barren hills is terrifying.
Fact: The film was shot in the Mojave Desert, which provided the perfect eerie backdrop.
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The Descent (2005)
Description: While the film's primary setting is underground, the journey to the cave involves traversing desolate plains, setting the stage for the claustrophobic horror to come.
Fact: The film was shot in Scotland, using the rugged terrain to enhance the feeling of isolation.
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The Dark and the Wicked (2020)
Description: While not exclusively set on the plains, significant portions of the film take place on a remote farm, where the isolation of the plains contributes to the eerie atmosphere. It's a story of siblings dealing with their father's mysterious illness.
Fact: The film was shot in Texas, utilizing the rural landscape to enhance its horror elements.
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The Babadook (2014)
Description: While primarily set in a house, the film's climax involves a chase across the plains, where the isolation and darkness amplify the horror. The plains become a symbol of the protagonist's inner turmoil.
Fact: The film was shot in Australia, utilizing the rural landscape for its final scenes.
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The Invitation (2015)
Description: Although primarily set in a house, the film's climax involves a chilling escape across the plains, where the isolation and darkness of the landscape heighten the tension.
Fact: The film was shot in Los Angeles but used the surrounding hills to simulate the feeling of isolation.
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The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Description: Although the film's setting is a morgue, the surrounding plains and the isolation of the location contribute to the eerie atmosphere. The plains outside the morgue become a symbol of the unknown.
Fact: The film was shot in the UK, using the countryside to enhance the feeling of isolation.
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The Witch (2015)
Description: While set in New England, the film's use of the surrounding plains and forests creates a sense of isolation that is central to its horror. The family's farm becomes a place of terror.
Fact: The film was shot in a remote location in Canada to capture the authentic 17th-century atmosphere.
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The Wind (2018)
Description: Set in the 1800s, this film explores the psychological horror of a woman living on the plains, dealing with isolation and supernatural occurrences. The vast emptiness of the plains becomes a character in itself, enhancing the sense of dread.
Fact: The film was shot on location in Utah to capture the authentic feel of the plains. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
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The Road (2009)
Description: This post-apocalyptic film features vast, desolate plains as the backdrop for a father and son's journey through a world devoid of civilization, where the landscape itself is a source of terror.
Fact: The film was shot in various locations across the United States to capture the bleak, post-apocalyptic setting.
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The Plains (2016)
Description: A group of friends on a road trip across the Australian outback encounter a mysterious entity that seems to haunt the plains. The film uses the vastness of the landscape to create a sense of vulnerability and fear.
Fact: The film was inspired by real-life urban legends from the Australian outback.
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