Wes Craven is regarded as one of the masters of horror, along with names like John Carpenter, George Romero, and Sam Raimi. Craven's contributions to the genre are plentiful, as the director has gone on to inspire a new generation of filmmakers. While he is known primarily for reinventing the horror genre... twice, with films like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream, it is the deep cuts on his resume that really showcase his skills as well as provide a glimpse into the master craftsperson he would become. Today, we examine Wes Craven's 10 best lesser-known movies.
10 The Hills Have Eyes Part II (1985)
The followup to Craven's cult classic original film, The Hills Have Eyes Part II came nowhere near the success that the first movie garnered. Universally panned and even described by one critic as "atrocious", the legend goes that the director disowned the project and cast it off as a quick cash grab as he was in need of money at the time. Filled with recap scenes of the original film and uninspired writing, this sequel certainly does not live up to the quality expected of Wes Craven. This point is all the more highlighted as the movie came after arguably Craven's masterpiece, A Nightmare on Elm Street.
9 Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)
Wes Craven's most successful works have always included an underlying layer of dark comedy, so naturally, a pairing with all-time comedic actor Eddie Murphy did not seem as strange in reality as it may have on paper. This modern-day tale of vampire lore was not well received commercially or critically, and Murphy's performance, as well as Craven's direction were universally panned at the time of its release. Critical reexamination years later would be much kinder to the film, praising the tone set by Craven and the on-screen chemistry of the lead actors, Eddie Murphy and Angela Basset.
8 My Soul to Take (2010)
2010's My Soul to Take marked Wes Craven's first film as writer, director, and producer in 16 years. The slasher film would follow several horror tropes seen time and time again, as if Wes Craven lost sight of his own message written into previous films like Scream. With some critics declaring the director should have extended his hiatus from filmmaking, My Soul to Take would sadly be one of the last films made by Craven before his death in 2015.
7 Cursed (2005)
Horror sweetheart Christina Ricci stars in Craven's 2005 werewolf flick, Cursed. While the actress is enough to make any film she is in mildly entertaining, the overall effort of Craven's creature feature was panned as unoriginal as well as for its lack of werewolves... in a werewolf movie. Craven's take on this classic monster would not fair as well as a previous attempt, which we will discuss shortly.
6 Deadly Friend (1986)
The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer herself, Kristy Swanson, finds herself in the middle of a twisted science experiment after she is implanted with a microchip after she is left brain-dead by abuse from her father, leading to a murderous rampage. Suffering from imposed reshoots by Warner Bros., the film was left a somewhat disjointed mess even before intense censorship by the MPAA.
5 Swamp Thing (1982)
Could Wes Craven's 1982 adaptation be the best on-screen version of the DC superhero we ever get? Swamp Thing seems to almost relish its campiness and for the most part, it does so successfully and in an entertaining fashion. While it is hard to get past the visual of a man in a rubber suit, the movie remains a fun and interesting addition to Wes Craven's cabinet of movie creations.
4 Music of the Heart (1999)
In what would be Wes Craven's only directorial departure from the horror/thriller genre, Music of the Heart stands out as one of the director's best films. Starring Meryl Streep in a role for which she would be nominated for the best actress Academy Award, the film provided Craven with an opportunity to truly flex his filmmaking muscles as he stepped out of his comfort zone for this film. Revisiting the film does make one wonder why Craven did not do more films outside the horror realm.
3 The People Under the Stairs (1991)
If someone asked you to show them one Wes Craven movie that really summed up the style of the filmmaker, you might go straight to A Nightmare on Elm Street or Scream. However, it is the suburban horror thriller The People Under the Stairs that many believe perfectly encapsulates the style that horror fans have come to love about Craven. Violent, gory, and downright creepy are words that can be used to describe this darkly comedic horror masterpiece.
2 Deadly Blessing (1981)
Deadly Blessing is a low-budget horror film starring Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine and future Academy Award nominee, Sharon Stone. It is one of Wes Craven's earliest films. With many critics finding the film to be disappointing, its unique location of an Amish Farm and eccentricities make it an overlooked piece of Craven's filmography and shows glimpses of the horror master he would go on to be.
1 Red Eye (2005)
You may be familiar with the 2005 thriller Red Eye, but did you know it was directed by Wes Craven? The film that is sure to make you second-guess ever traveling on a plane again is one of Craven's best-received films. The direction of Craven and the masterful performances of Cillian Murphy and Rachel McAdams were praised by critics. Coming in what would sadly be the twilight of the director's career, the movie is one of his finest.