Sundance 2025 Showcases Horror Film Innovation

Horror films have seen diverse contributions from directors both dedicated to the genre and those who have ventured into it briefly, with directors like Robert Zemeckis surprising audiences with films such as 'What Lies Beneath.' Sundance Film Festival remains a platform for innovative horror films, with 2025's lineup expected to include notable performances from Benedict Cumberbatch and others in films like 'The Thing with Feathers.' The horror genre's evolution has seen both critically acclaimed films and some of the worst cinematic endeavors, like the poorly-received 'One Missed Call' remake. Zombie films, a sub-genre of horror, have historically provided social commentary, with George A. Romero's 'Night of the Living Dead' setting a modern template for such films. Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' continues to be celebrated as a horror masterpiece despite initial controversy, notably for its deviations from Stephen King's novel and the treatment of actress Shelley Duvall during production.