The Devil All the Time is the epitome of the Southern Gothic horror story, and there is a laundry list of reasons why. From the shadowy backwoods and old dirt roads of its rural setting to the complex narrative of religious, cultural, and social drama, the film helps shine an eerie light on an otherwise folksy setting.
For those who don't know a lot about the consistency of grits or the true meaning of "bless your heart," a Southern Gothic is any story that deals with the South and its traditions regarding religion, lore, passion, and even matters of race. Horror might not be a primary element of these types of films, but the drama and tension will always be there.
10 To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic example of a Southern Gothic. It deals with a coming of age narrative set in the deep South during a time of prejudice and racial hatred, with a main character on the minority side of that fence.
The narrative with Scout, her friends, and Boo Radley, and Atticus's courtroom drama could almost be two separate stories, but through Scout's eyes, things are not as black and white as the setting and film might present.
9 Big Fish
While it lacks the drama and suspense many in the genre thrive on and cling to, Tim Burton's Big Fish focuses on an element of Southern Gothics that many other films only dream of - the tall tale. A great many tales told by Edward Bloom feature characters, settings, and tropes found in the deep South.
From giant catfish to child-eating witches, Burton's film is a beautiful blend of gothic and fantasy, much like the man himself.
8 Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
If there's one man who everyone should associate with the Southern Gothic, it's Tennessee Williams. Although A Streetcar Named Desire was also considered for this list, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof takes the spot.
The stars of the show are Brick and Maggie, an alcoholic former athlete and his vexing and jealous wife, and the film is saturated with Southern motifs and colloquial dialogue, complete with a plantation house and family drama.
7 Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil
There's a phrase that says "Savannah is built on her dead," making it the perfect setting for many Southern Gothic tales. But none are as famous as Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
When an antique seller is accused of murdering a male prostitute, things get more than a little colorful. Pair this narrative with the literal gothic design of Savannah itself, Southern hospitality, and a healthy dose of Voodoo mysticism, and it's a recipe for a gripping tale.
6 The Beguiled
Some of the best entries in the genre are set in the difficult time of the Civil War against an antebellum backdrop, and nothing fits in this subgenre better than The Beguiled.
When a wounded Union soldier is taken in by a boarding school of Southern belles, tensions grow high in more ways than one. Along with hiding out from Confederate troops looking for an enemy on the run, he must contend with unwanted advances, paper-thin trust, and his own moral compass.
5 Black Snake Moan
A heartbroken blues singer, a drug-addicted nymphomaniac, and a tale of betrayal, religion, sex, and music, all set in the rural backroads of Mississippi.
Drawing on heavy themes of abuse, music, and the Mississipi Blues Movement, it's an entry to the genre with a touch of swing amidst the black comedic narrative. The shining features of the film are easily Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci as the film's leads, and their relationship in the film is gripping, to say the least.
4 Wise Blood
Based on the novel by Flannery O'Connor, Wise Blood relies on the religious themes coursing through the buckle of the Bible Belt in the American South, featuring Brad Dourif as a passionate and heretical sidewalk preacher.
A Southern preacher who doesn't teach the gospel of Christ is one of the biggest possible taboos in the setting. Conflicts between religion and passion soon brew in this quirky drama. Hang on to your crosses.
3 The Town That Dreaded Sundown
For a region home to some of the world's most haunted cities, there are fewer Southern horror flicks than one might expect. Enter The Town That Dreaded Sundown. Inspired by the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, this slice of the 70s brings horror to a small-town setting with its Phantom Killer.
This film has all the tropes of a traditional slasher, but with a Southern-fried flavor. It's not exactly a John Carpenter masterpiece, but one often overlooked.
2 The Skeleton Key
What's better than pairing the Southern Gothic with a slasher? The supernatural. The Skeleton Key is one of those films that requires at least two viewings in order to properly understand and appreciate it.
When a hospice nurse becomes a player in a paranormal plot, it will take more than hoodoo charms to counteract the threats she faces in an old plantation mansion. Magic spells, evil spirits, and a sordid history are just three of the flavors available in this twisted film.
1 Cape Fear
Be it the Gregory Peck original or the Robert DeNiro remake, Cape Fear is not only a fine Southern Gothic horror flick but an entertaining Scorsese production, as well.
When a decorated Southern lawyer puts away a convicted rapist, he evokes the criminal's wrath after he studies law and gets himself out of prison. While the original is still a classic, DeNiro's portrayal of Max Cady is unforgettably chilling and oozes with charm and malice. Missing out on this horror-thriller would be a fatal mistake.
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