10 Killer Indigenous Horror Movies
Just in time for Halloween we have compiled a list of some of our favorite Indigenous horror movies from around the world.
To make our list the films must feature Indigenous people as protagonists, have been written by an Indigenous person, and or are directed by an Indigenous filmmaker. Check out who made the cut below, and which films matched all three criteria!
The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith (1978)
The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith stars Tommy Lewis (Murrungun) in the titular role, and is an adaptation of Thomas Keneally’s 1972 novel.
The story follows Jimmie Blacksmith, the son of an Aboriginal mother and a white father, who falls victim to much racist abuse after marrying a white woman. Reaching his breaking point, he goes on a killing spree and finds himself on the run in the aftermath.
Bedevil (1993)
Indigenous Australian Tracey Moffatt’s wrote and directed this anthology series featuring three Australian ghost stories. One follows Rick (Jack Charles), an Aboriginal boy haunted by an American soldier who drowned in quicksand. Another follows Ruby (Moffatt) and her family who live near abandoned train tracks that carry ghostly apparitions. And the third focuses on a landlord (Lex Marinos) who can’t quite evict a couple that’s well…dead.
The Dead Can't Dance (2010)
The directorial debut of Rodrick Pocowatchi (Comanche, Pawnee and Shawnee), The Dead Can’t Dance is about Comanche citizens Dax Wildhorse (Rodrick Pocowatchit), Ray Wildhorse (Guy Ray Pocowatchit), and Ray’s kid, Eddie Wildhorse (T.J. Williams).
This comedy/ horror is about a mysterious disease that turns everyone but the Wildhorses into zombies. The group must put their squabbling and drama behind them to fight off the undead and get Eddie to college.
The Darkside (2013)
Acclaimed director Warwick Thornton (Kaytetye) developed The Darkside after a callout seeking first-hand ghost stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Thornton narrowed down the more than 150 stories into 13 to make the film. The filmmakers recorded the stories, told firsthand, and the documentary combines three of these original audio recordings with monologues performed by 10 of Australia's leading Indigenous and non-Indigenous performers.
Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead (2014)
Director Kiah Roache-Turner’s film stars Jay Gallagher who plays Barry, a mechanic who must fight hordes of zombies after his sister, Brooke (Bianca Bradley), is kidnapped on the eve of the apocalypse. This fast-paced film features an indigenous and non-Indigenous cast of zombies, mercenaries, and half-humans and has spawned a sequel, last year’s Wyrmwood: Apocalypse.
The Dead Lands (2014)
In Toa Fraser’s film, Hongi (James Rolleston), a Maori chieftain’s son, must avenge his father’s murder to bring peace and honor the souls of his loved ones. To do this, he has to pass through the forbidden Dead Lands. Not only that, but he must also form an alliance with the ruthless Warrior (Lawrence Makoare), who’s ruled the land for years. Written by Te Manahau Morrison (Marori) and told in the Maori language, the film features several Maori and Fijian actors. It spawned a TV series on Shudder in 2020.
Mohawk (2018)
Mohawk is the story of Okwaho, played by Kaniehtiio Horn (Mohawk), and her two lovers as they battle a squad of American soldiers hell-bent on revenge. The film is a take on home invasion horror, with a Mohawk woman fighting against American invaders in her homeland.
Blood Quantum (2019)
A Shudder exclusive, Blood Quantum is another zombie feature, but so much different than The Dead Can’t Dance. This film centers around a zombie outbreak in Canada that only affects people who aren’t Indigenous. Tensions rise after the Indigenous people set up a base at the Red Crow Reservation.
Written and directed by the last Jeff Barnaby (Listuguj Mi'gmaq) the film features a who’s who of Indigenous cast members including Michael Greyeyes, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Kiowa Gordon, Devery Jacobs, Gary Farmer and more. Themes include immigration and colonization, which are evident in the film’s title, referring to the amount of “Indian blood” a person possesses.
Blood Quantum addresses the many horrors Indigenous Canadians have faced historically. It also has amazing cinematography and enough gore to keep even the most die-hard horror fans happy. This one is truly a must-see.
Slash/Back (2022)
When Maika and her ragtag friends discover an alien invasion in their tiny arctic hamlet, it's up to them to save the day. Utilizing their makeshift weapons and horror movie knowledge, the aliens realize you don't mess with girls from Pang.
Written and directed Nyla Innuksuk (Inuit) Slash/Back stars Iqaluit, Nunavut locals Tasiana Shirley, Alexis Vincent-Wolfe, Nalajoss Ellsworth, Chelsea Prusky, and Frankie Vincent-Wolfe.
Prey (2022)
Naru, a skilled warrior of the Comanche Nation, fights to protect her tribe against one of the first highly-evolved Predators to land on Earth.
Starring Amber Midthunder (mixed Indigenous) as Naru, and a fantastic cast of Indigenous and non-Indigenous actors, the praise for Prey goes beyond its casting in its attempt to truly capture the Comanche experience. From dubbing the film in the Comanche language, having language keepers on set to teach pronunciation, words and phrases and even adopting a dog for the shoot who was descended from and Indigenous to American breed.
These films are only a handful of horror movies that feature Indigenous people owning their own narrative. And even a comprehensive list is still pales in comparison to the massive selection of horror films that solely focus on Indigenous mythology.
The world more than ever needs (and deserves) an avalanche of stories told from the Indigenous perspective, and horror is one of best, and most subversive ways to do it. So, for all of you writers, aspiring filmmakers and actors out there, what are you waiting for?
