by Nathaniel Muir

Body horror is one of horror’s most interesting sub-genres. From its roots in grotesque transformations, usually due to medical meddling, nefarious deeds or otherwordly intervention. to its exploration of heavy themes like identity, sexuality, and societal expectations, it has carved out a unique space that often challenges audiences more than it comforts them. And during the VHS heyday of the 1980s when over-the-top cover art brought in the customers, the more disgusting, the better, curious teens and horror fans spent hours in video stores transfixed by what they saw.

This did not always translate to sales or rentals, however. Body horror, with its graphic nature, is less accessible than slashers or ghost stories. Known for unflinching violence, it often tackles heavy themes like sexuality, loneliness, and existential struggles—hardly the stuff of casual Friday night viewing. These films were frequently relegated to whispers of “Did you see that cover?” or “Yeah, I’ve heard of it.”

While some focus on shock value, body horror has also delivered deeply compelling stories. David Cronenberg, for instance, pairs groundbreaking visual effects with masterful storytelling, crafting character-driven narratives that resonate despite their grotesque elements. And Cronenberg is far from alone—many filmmakers use body horror to explore profound, thought-provoking themes.

The Substance has been shocking and mesmerizing audiences since bursting on the scene and winning the Palme d’Or and Best Screenplay for writer-director Coralie Fargeat. During 2024, it has continued to shock everyone who watches it and garner critical acclaim, culminating in five Golden Globe nominations. It is an unflinching look at what it is to be a woman, oozes sex appeal, and is cartoonishly revolting. It is also one of the best movies of 2024.

Now that Elisabeth Sparkle and Sue have you worked up into a frenzy, where do you go? Thankfully, there are plenty of great films to scratch that itch (hopefully without pulling any skin off). Below are must-watch movies if you enjoyed The Substance.

Shivers (1975)

It only makes sense to start this list off with a Cronenberg flick. Sex and horror have long been matched together and few do it better than David Cronenberg. Largely set in a luxury apartment complex, Shivers is about a parasite that one doctor mistakes for an STD. Maybe it is because another doctor has developed an organism that is part aphrodisiac, part venereal disease, and all down to clown. Come for the constant puking; stay for the swimming pool orgy!

Society (1989)

Most body horror movies inject a dose of charm and black humor that makes things more palatable. None does it better than Brian Yuzna’s Society. The plot is a satirical look at the elite upper crust. As it turns out, these one-percenters engage in human sacrifice. There are many laugh-out-loud moments and the effects stand out even by today’s standards. If you think people dislike billionaires now, wait until the shunting begins!

Antiviral (2012)

David Cronenberg is an easy pick for a list of body horror movies. His son Brandon has also created some of the best entries in the genre. His work has gotten better with each release, but a strong argument can be that his first feature is the most disturbing. Antiviral is set in a society that is obsessed with celebrity. How is that different from the world we live in? For starters, there is a clinic that purchases pathogens from ill celebrities to inject them into paying clients who want to feel a deeper connection with their favorite stars. Add a main character that uses his body as an incubator, a meat market sourced by the world’s most famous names, and reality television and you have a completely unhinged experience.

Raw (2016)

The first of two films on this list from Julia Ducournau, Raw is about a young vegetarian who goes off to vet school and has meat for the first time. From there, you should be able to guess what she develops a craving for. This is more than just a story of a good girl turned cannibal, however. Like most coming-of-age stories, it is also about family and fitting in. The ending is one of the best of the 21st century.

Martyrs (2008)

Body horror is all about pushing limits. Martyrs from 2008 takes things a step further by adding a heavy layer of psychological horror. This French release is about the fascination with death and the lengths people will go to learn about it. The amount of graphic violence may cause some to dismiss this as torture porn, but this is not a movie that grosses audiences out just for the sake of it. Religion plays a big role along with pain and suffering. Absolutely not for the squeamish.

Tokyo Gore Police (2008)

In the manner of many science-fiction horror movies that come out of Japan, the title says everything while explaining nothing. If you think your country’s dystopian future is bad, you should hear about Japan’s. A mad scientist has created a virus that mutates human beings who sprout deadly weapons when they are injured. Tokyo Gore Police follows a special squad in the Tokyo Police Department that has been brought together to maintain law and order against these monstrosities. As silly and repulsive as it sounds.

The Sadness (2021)

Some great body horror movies dispense with a strong story and lean into the gore. Enter The Sadness. This Taiwanese production owes a great debt to Hong Kong’s Category III movies. Filled with sexual depravity and unspeakable violence, there is enough here to make even the most hardened gorehound turn away. The nastiest zombie movies are sick without even trying; The Sadness tries.

Titane (2021)

When Julia Ducournau’s second feature won the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival, many clickbait articles were written about how a movie about a woman who has sex with a car captured one of the film’s most prestigious awards. That is not incorrect, but to reduce the film to just one scene is shortsighted and unfair. Filled with lust and blood, Titane also handles themes of motherhood, femininity and belonging. It is a wild watch that will stick with anyone who experiences it.

Hatching (2022)

Part creature feature, part family drama, Hatching is about a young girl named Tinja who wants to please her mother who is obsessed with the idea of the perfect family. And when the cameras are rolling for their social media channel, it does look like the ideal household. This beauty is juxtaposed with Alli, a creature that has hatched from an egg Tinja found in the woods. Alli acts on Tinja’s darkest impulses leading to some truly gory moments. 

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

Maybe not exactly body horror, but if anything captures the essence of The Substance, it is Oscar Wilde’s novel about vanity and youth. There have been a number of adaptations over the years, but the version from 1945 may be the best. The paintings are stunning while the cast includes Anglea Lansbury, Donna Reed, and George Sanders. Due to censorship restrictions of the time, there are some noticeable differences from the book, but the main themes remain.

Body horror isn’t just about shock value—it’s a genre that peels back the layers of humanity, exploring our fears, desires, and the fragile relationship we have with our own bodies. Whether through Cronenberg’s masterful storytelling, Ducournau’s raw emotional intensity, or the unrelenting gore of modern entries like The Sadness, these films challenge and mesmerize in equal measure.If The Substance left you craving more, these films will immerse you in the captivating world of body horror—where the grotesque and the profound collide, leaving an indelible mark long after the credits roll.