Plot: In a desolate community full of drug-addled Marines and rumors of kidnapping, a wild-eyed stoner named Lou wakes up after a crazy night of partying with symptoms of a strange illness and recurring visions. As she struggles to get a grip on reality, the stories of conspiracy spread.

KBZ’s Take: This is a film that some people might turn off after the first 15-20 minutes as it might seem too ‘artsy’ and not a true horror film. However, for viewers that stick with it, they’ll be treated to the film’s final 15 minutes that are some of the best of the subgenre.

The film stars Natasha Lyonne and the uneven tone and confusing plot of the first two acts is to place the viewer in the mind of Lyonne’s character. She doesn’t know what’s happening to her amid a drug-induced state. It’s not until the third act where things become clearer (though still a bit confusing). Lyonne’s performance helps carry the film to the intense finale along with some admirable supporting roles from Chloë Sevigny, Meg Tilly and Mark Webber.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40lnmmI

Plot: After being mysteriously kidnapped by a Doctor and his violent henchman, a young man is held captive in the converted cellar of an old mansion. For reasons unknown, he’s forced to endure heinous physical and psychological torture, but slowly realizes the worst is yet to come when the Doctor’s brutal plan for him is finally revealed.

KBZ’s Take: We wanted to add The Skin I Live In (2011) to this list as it’s one of the best films of the subgenre from any decade. However, it’s not a true Body Horror film and also very popular (so definitely check it out if you haven’t seen it yet).

In its place, we’ve slotted Victim which has a very similar plotline to The Skin I Live In but is much more grounded in the Horror genre. We won’t say anything additional about the plot as we don’t want to ruin the film. However, we will say that you’ll likely see where the film is heading in the first act, but certain sequences will keep you watching.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40DMEfs

Plot: Deformed, disfigured characters must find a way to deal with society shunning their differences.

KBZ’s Take: We had some debate if this film would be considered a true Body Horror film. It’s not technically in the Horror genre, it deals with people (and a society) that has deformed humans (not a result of body manipulation or viral infection) and the film satirizes quite a few areas including physical appearance and attraction, dysfunctional families and more.

However, we decided to add it to the list as it’s one of the strangest and disturbing films we’ve come across in the entire Body Horror subgenre. It won’t be a film for everyone, but we’re still recommending it for fans of the subgenre who are looking for something a bit different and on the fringes of Body Horror.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/80100054

Plot: While on her bachelorette party getaway, Casey, the bride to be, gets a seemingly harmless bite from an unknown insect. After returning home with cold feet, Casey tries to call off her wedding but before she’s able to, she starts exhibiting insect like traits. Between her physical transformation and her wedding anxiety, Casey succumbs to her new instincts and begins creating a hive that not only houses her translucent eggs but feeds on the flesh of others. As her transformation becomes complete, Casey discovers that everything can change with a single bite.

KBZ’s Take: Bite is very reminiscent of The Fly (1986) though we seem to be in the minority that thinks this is one of the decade’s better subgenre films. While we didn’t go in expecting it to be a classic like Cronenberg’s film, we were pleasantly surprised at how effective the film was.

While some might be turned off by the excessive visuals (more goo than gore), the practical effects are top notch for a B level film like this. And like The Fly, it’s much more grounded in the psychological realm of Body Horror as a person goes through the 5 stages of grief dealing with their body transformation. Highly recommended for fans of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40y1e8Z

Plot: Syd March is an employee at a clinic that sells injections of live viruses harvested from sick celebrities to obsessed fans. When he becomes infected with the disease that kills super sensation Hannah Geist, Syd becomes a target for collectors and rabid fans. He must unravel the mystery surrounding her death before he suffers the same fate.

KBZ’s Take: Like his father, Brandon Cronenberg came out of the gate with a unique Body Horror film. While there’s the signature Cronenberg Body Horror scenes in the film, the plot and setup of the film is most intriguing. This is a staple of most Cronenberg films which don’t use Body Horror for plain shock and awe effect, but rather as the output from an outlandish premise.

Additional Lists: Best Cronenberg Boddy Horror #9

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3kwC8aC

Plot: A young woman contracts what she thinks is a sexually-transmitted disease – but is actually something much worse.

KBZ’s Take: Like Bite on this list, Contracted deals with a woman’s body transformation after contracting a virus. Unlike Bite, Contracted focuses much more on the virus being transmitted sexually and its potential spread. Where Bite is reminiscent of Cronenberg’s The Fly (1986), Contacted would be more reminiscent of Cronenberg’s earlier effort Shivers (1975).

The film has very divided opinions with people either loving or hating it. We thought it was one of the better subgenre films in the 2010’s and its sequel Contracted: Phase II (2015) is much more horror and gore based (for detractors that didn’t find enough horror in the first film). The sequel starts directly after the first film ends so it’s recommended to watch both back-to-back if possible.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3z98cox

Plot A young man in a personal tailspin flees the US to Italy, where he sparks up a romance with a woman harboring a dark, primordial secret.

KBZ’s Take: If you read these lists regularly, you’ll know we’re huge fans of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. While most of their films have been in the Sci-Fi realm – The Endless (2018), Synchronic (2020) – Spring is one of their earlier films that would qualify as a Horror Romance.

The film is best if you go into it blind without knowing much about the plot so we’ll refrain from providing any additional plot details. We highly recommend this film for fans of the subgenre and very dark romantic and mythological themes.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40UCxmX

Plot: A hopeful young starlet uncovers the ominous origins of the Hollywood elite and enters into a deadly agreement in exchange for fame and fortune.

KBZ’s Take: This film falls within the Horror and Satanic Cult spectrum of Cult films and it’s of the best Cult Horror films out there. Though it’s relatively unknown, it’s almost a satirical look at the film industry and the lengths an aspiring actress will take to make it in the industry.

In terms of the Body Horror subgenre, there are moments of Body Horror (especially towards the end) and these sequences are not only visually disturbing but fit very well within the satirical tone of the film.

This is a dark and bleak film, but it shouldn’t be missed by fans of the subgenre.

Additional Lists: Top Films About Cults You Haven’t Seen 2010 – 2022 #7

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40bdkoy

Plot: When troubled musical prodigy Charlotte seeks out Elizabeth, the new star pupil of her former school, the encounter sends both musicians down a sinister path with shocking consequences.

KBZ’s Take: The Perfection is one of our favorite Body Horror films of the 2010’s. The film covers multiple aspects of Body Horror from the psychological to the visual. It’s also a film where the Body Horror compliments the narrative and is actually necessary unlike many subgenre films that rely on visual shock and awe effect.

We would advise fans of the subgenre to stick with the film as you might not think of the film as Body Horror during the first 10-15 minutes. But we can assure you the film takes on a much darker tone as the film progresses leading to an unforgettable sequence of Body Horror. Highly recommended for fans of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/80211638

Plot: When his best friend and podcast co-host goes missing in the backwoods of Canada, a young guy joins forces with his friend’s girlfriend to search for him.

KBZ’s Take: We realize Tusk is a well-known film of the subgenre given it was directed by Kevin Smith. There are likely many filmgoers outside of this subgenre that have seen the film due to Smith’s involvement. But we felt a need to list the film as it’s the best Body Horror film of the 2010’s.

Like early 1970’s Body Horror films, Smith establishes a perfect blend of Horror and Comedy in Tusk. Though the film seems very lighthearted at first, it quickly descends down a much darker path. This is a similar balancing of tones that many of the ‘mad scientist’ films of the 70’s achieved and seems like a love letter from Smith to those films from an era of Horror long gone.

As for the Body Horror, it’s unique, disturbing, gross, hilarious and unforgettable all at once. It’s the type of Body Horror you will never forget or ‘unsee’ as it’s that unique to the subgenre (or any subgenre for that matter). On the off chance you still have not had a chance to see Tusk, we highly recommend the film as it’s a perfect example of Body Horror Comedy done right.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3z9tqTq