When you think of survival horror, the first horror movie that springs to mind is probably Saw.
It is the most famous survival horror movie that spawned a franchise of ten movies that is still going strong to this day with a new release scheduled for 2025.
Here are six other survival horrors that are well worth a watch as well, especially if you loved the type of film Saw is, then you will probably like these ones too.
Cube (1997)
Cube is about six strangers from different walks of life who find themselves trapped in a maze of cube-shaped rooms, hence the name. They have been brought together by some unknown force, and their only goal is to find a way out before it is too late.
Despite the film having a low budget, it creates quite a claustrophobic and intense atmosphere, and the majority of the film is also just shot on a handheld camera with the filmmakers cleverly using color changes with gel panels to create the illusion of multiple cube rooms. Well worth a watch and features on my underrated Canadian horror movies to watch list. [Cube on IMDB]
Circle (2015)
In Circle, a group of strangers find themselves trapped in a mysterious chamber and they have no recollection of how they got there, but they soon discover that one of them will die every two minutes. The source within the chamber creates an electric impulse that causes the deaths, and the remaining individuals must vote on who will be the next victim.
The group grapples with moral dilemmas in the fight for survival, where alliances are made and broken. [Circle on IMDB]
Battle Royale (2000)
In a Japanese society where everything seems to be going downhill, a group of 42 9th grade students is forced by legislation to compete in a deadly battle royale. They are sent to an island with explosive-laden collars on their necks and must kill each other until only one survivor remains. Failure to obey the rules results in immediate execution.
Battle Royale is based on a novel by Koushun Takami and delves into the darker side of Japanese society, particularly its obsession with youth. The protagonists, who are mere children, engage in some shocking acts and the film combines dark humor with violent deaths. What more do you want? One of my personal favorite films! [Battle Royale on IMDB]
Escape Room (2019)
Escape Room offers a similar ambiance to Saw and Cube and centers around a group of six people from different backgrounds who are invited to participate in an escape room challenge. But, they soon find themselves locked in and realize that the puzzle has already begun.
It focuses on puzzles and a fast-paced narrative where the characters must dive deep into their lives and pick up the smallest clues to figure out a way to survive the deadly maze. [Escape Room on IMDB]
13 Sins (2014)
In 13 Sins, the protagonist, Elliot Brindle, finds himself trapped in a devious game. Elliot,a salesman drowning in debt, receives a cryptic phone call inviting him to be part of a game. Desperate for money, he agrees to complete 13 tasks in return for a handsome sum. But, what starts off as seemingly harmless tasks quickly escalates into challenges that threaten his life.
As Elliot progresses through the tasks, he begins to question the morality of his actions and the true nature of the game. [13 Sins on IMDB]
Exam (2009)
Exam puts eight candidates in a room along with mysterious instructions. They have been shortlisted for a final test to join a reputed corporation, but there's a catch. The candidates are given a sheet of paper with no questions and are allotted 80 minutes to solve it. The rules are strict: no talking to the invigilator, no leaving the room before the time is up, and no spoiling the paper. [Exam on IMDB]
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