The mystery-box horror ofFrom, with its trapped residents and terrifying nighttime predators, has thoroughly gripped viewers, leaving them speculating onsmartFromseason 4theoriesand eagerly anticipating the next season. Although the show had started to emphasize the mystery box element over the horror,Fromseason 3saw the horror intensify again toward the end with the most gruesome scene ever, building anticipation for the next season. For those seeking similar realms ofmystery, creeping dread, and desperate battles against the unknown, there are several movies with a similar feeling.
These cinematic horrors explore the core themes that makeFromso addictive - the feeling of being trapped, the confrontation with inexplicable and often malevolent forces, and the psychological toll of facing the bizarre and the terrifying. If you’re not simply rewatching thebest episodes ofFrom,these gripping, enigmatic movies are great replacements.
1The Ritual
The Ritual, a 2017 Netflix horror by David Bruckner, plunges a group of grieving friends on a memorial hiking trip in Sweden into aterrifying encounter with a creature rooted in a dark interpretation of Norse mythology. As they stray from marked trails, they stumble upon unsettling signs and rituals, culminating in the horrifying reveal ofThe Ritual’s creature Jötunn, a monstrous being worshipped by a sinister cult. The film builds a pervasive atmosphere of dread, amplified by its unsettling monster design, blending folk horror with elements ofThe ThingandSilent Hill. Strong performances further ground the escalating terror.
Viewers gripped by the eerie mysteries and suspenseful horror ofFromwould find much to appreciate. Both narratives share a core element of being trapped and terrorized. WhileFromconfines its characters to a mysterious town,The Ritualisolates its cast in the wilderness. The unsettling atmosphere and the slow-burn reveal, much like the nocturnal entities inFrom, create a similar sense of dread and the unknown. The exploration of dark folklore and the desperate struggle for survival against a seemingly insurmountable threat will appeal toFromviewers.
With a 74% rating onRotten Tomatoes, The Ritual’s Scandinavian horror was generally well received. Although the horror pay-off was not quite as satisfying asMidsommarwas two years later, its unnerving and cryptic vibe is a great option for viewers waiting forFromseason 4.
2Resolution
The indie horror filmResolutionbegins with Michael receiving a disturbing video of his estranged and drug-addicted best friend, Chris, who has retreated to a remote, dilapidated property. Determined to help, Michael travels to this isolated location and forcibly attempts to detox Chris. However, their efforts are soon overshadowed by aseries of bizarre and inexplicable occurrences: strange photographs and film reels appearing out of nowhere, unsettling changes in the initial video message, and cryptic warnings from the locals. As Michael and Chris try to make sense of these events, they uncover a disturbing history connected to the land.
There is a sense of mounting dread and paranoia…
Viewers drawn to the unsettling mysteries and the feeling of being trapped by an unknown influence inFromwould likely findResolutionvery engaging.Resolutiontraps its protagonists within a narrative being actively shaped by an unseen entity. There is a sense of mounting dread and paranoia as the characters grapple with forces beyond their comprehension. The wayResolutionslowly unravels its central mystery through unsettling clues and the growing realization is similarly engaging toFrom. The focus on psychological horror and the characters’ bizarre predicament make this horror well worth a watch while waiting forFromseason 4.
3The Endless
The filmResolutionpresents the unsettling reunion of brothers Justin and Aaron with their childhood commune, Camp Arcadia. While Aaron fondly remembers it as a harmless community, Justin harborssuspicions of a hidden, sinister nature, believing it to be a UFO death cultfixated on"ascension.“Their decision to revisit for a single day unravels into a bizarre and disorienting experience. The seemingly ageless members, strange occurrences like a tug-of-war against an unseen force in the sky, and the appearance of two moons begin to erode their perceptions of reality.
Fromviewers will likely love the creepy atmosphere and sense of the uncanny. Both narratives have a feeling of unease and mystery surrounding isolated communities with unsettling secrets. The movie’s exploration of altered perceptions of reality, the unsettling nature of the entity and its influence, and the characters' struggle to understand the bizarre rules of their environment will fill theFromvoid. The contrasting perspectives of the brothers regarding the camp’s true nature also echo themes from the show.
4Shutter Island
Shutter Islandis perhaps one of the most discussed mystery box movies. In 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his partner Chuck Aule arrive at the isolated Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island to investigate thedisappearance of a patient named Rachel Solando. The seemingly uncooperative staff and Teddy’s own increasingly disturbing experiences – vivid nightmares, flashbacks, and debilitating migraines – fuel his suspicion that something sinister is afoot. Driven by a personal agenda to find an arsonist he believes is on the island, Teddy’s investigation leads him down a rabbit hole of cryptic clues and unsettling encounters.
The unsettling atmosphere, psychological tension, and impactfulShutter Islandendingare a key appeal in this DiCaprio classic. Both narratives excel at creating a pervasive sense of unease and paranoia, trapping their protagonists in environments where the truth is elusive and reality itself feels unstable. Teddy’s descent into confusion and the unreliable nature of his perceptions echo the disorientation and constant questioning of reality experienced by the residents of the mysterious town inFrom.
Shutter Islandis even better for being rewatchable. Experiencing the movie a second time allows viewers to fully appreciate its hints and details, strong performances, and impactful soundtrack without the pressure of solving the central mystery.
5Bird Box
In the terrifying post-apocalyptic world ofBird Box, anunseen force drives people to instant suicideupon being witnessed. Malorie Hayes navigates this deadly reality with two young children, fiercely adhering to the rule of constant blindfolds during a perilous journey downriver to a rumored safe haven. The movie flashes back five years to the outbreak, depicting the rapid descent into chaos as mass suicides erupt, triggered by inexplicable sightings. Malorie finds refuge with a group of strangers, developing a system of survival based on sensory deprivation and constant vigilance against the unseen entities.
The constant threat of unseen, malevolent forces and the desperate struggle for survival would create a familiar chilling experience forFromviewers. Both narratives center on characters navigating a world where an unseen enemy poses a deadly and inexplicable threat, forcing them to adopt unusual and restrictive measures for protection. The characters' reliance on limited senses and the psychological toll of living in constant fear of something they cannot see create a similar feeling of vulnerability and suspense. The focus on survival against an incomprehensible and lethal force is a core element shared by both stories.
Despite this tepid critical reception,Bird Boxgarnered massive viewership on Netflix…
Critically,Bird Boxreceived mixed reviews, with some praise for its atmosphere and acting but criticism for its screenplay and formulaic horror elements. Despite this tepid critical reception,Bird Boxgarnered massive viewership on Netflix and is one of the besthorror films about motherhood, becoming one of their most-watched original movies within its first month of release, reaching tens of millions of households globally.
6The Empty Man
The Empty Manpresents a chilling connection between seemingly disparate events. In 1995 Bhutan, hikers encounter a terrifying skeleton, leading to inexplicable violence and suicides linked to a strange whistling. Twenty-three years later in Missouri, former detective James Lasombra investigates his neighbor’s missing daughter, Amanda, whose cryptic message blames"The Empty Man.“James’s searchpulls him into a disturbing local legend, a string of teen suicides, and the Pontifex Institute, a cult devoted to a tulpa-like entity they believe grants wishes for obedience.
Despite a misleading marketing campaign and a tepid theatrical release, David Prior’s atmospheric cosmic horror has found a cult audience since 2020. This is due to its complex themes, thought-provoking ambiguity, and the way viewers discovered and embraced it online (perThrillist).
BothFromandThe Empty Manexplore the terrifying impact of a mysterious, malevolent force that can influence minds and actions. The way the Empty Man legend spreads and causes horrific acts mirrors the insidious nature of the entity trapping the residents inFrom. The movie’s descent into cultism, the questioning of reality, and the protagonist’s struggle against increasingly strange events will appeal to viewers.
