Indie horror films are known for their ability to push the boundaries of fear and make audiences squirm in their seats. While major Hollywood productions often rely on jump scares and special effects, indie horror films tend to focus on eerie atmospheres and unsettling imagery. And some of the most effective ways to achieve these elements are through the locations used in the films.
From abandoned asylums to remote cabins in the woods, indie horror films have brought audiences to some of the creepiest and most unsettling locations imaginable. These settings not only add to the overall atmosphere of the film, but they also often serve as characters in their own right, with their own dark histories and secrets. In this article, we will take a closer look at 15 of the creepiest locations in indie horror films.
1. The Overlook Hotel – The Shining (1980)
The Overlook Hotel, the isolated and snow-covered resort in the Colorado mountains, is the main setting for Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, The Shining. The vast and empty hallways, the maze-like layout, and the eerie twins in the hallway all contribute to the unsettling atmosphere of the hotel. The Overlook Hotel serves as a physical manifestation of the main character’s descent into madness.
2. The Woods – The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The dense, dark woods of Maryland serve as the primary location for the found footage horror film, The Blair Witch Project. With no clear path or escape, the woods become a character in their own right, playing tricks on the lost and terrified filmmakers. The constant fear of something lurking just out of sight adds to the tension and dread throughout the film.
3. The Bates Motel – Psycho (1960)
The iconic Bates Motel, isolated and rundown, serves as the setting for Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece, Psycho. With its creaky stairs, dimly lit rooms, and unsettling taxidermy, the motel is the perfect backdrop for the horror that unfolds. And let’s not forget about the infamous shower scene, which takes place in the eerie and uninviting bathroom of the motel.
4. The Abandoned Town – The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
In this remake of the 1977 cult classic, a family becomes stranded in an abandoned town in the desert, only to realize that they are not alone. The crumbling buildings, rusted cars, and overall desolation of the town create a sense of isolation and hopelessness for the characters. And the presence of the cannibalistic mutants lurking in the shadows adds to the terror.
5. The Cabin – The Evil Dead (1981)
The remote cabin in the woods is a classic horror setting, and it doesn’t get much creepier than the one in The Evil Dead. The dilapidated cabin, with its ominous cellar and demonic presence, becomes a nightmare for five college students who stumble upon it. The isolated location and lack of resources make their fight for survival even more terrifying.
6. The Island – The Wicker Man (1973)
The remote Scottish island where a detective goes to investigate a missing child is anything but peaceful. As he delves deeper into the island’s pagan rituals and traditions, he realizes that he is in grave danger. The isolated community and eerie landscape add to the sense of unease and dread throughout the film.
7. The Mental Asylum – Session 9 (2001)
Set in an abandoned mental asylum, Session 9 follows a group of asbestos removal workers as they uncover dark secrets and eerie occurrences within the building. The decaying walls, flickering lights, and haunting voices all contribute to the atmosphere of madness and terror. And as the characters become consumed by their own fears and past traumas, the asylum becomes a character in its own right.
8. The Church – The Exorcist (1973)
The iconic horror film, The Exorcist, is set primarily in a Catholic church in Georgetown, Washington D.C. The church, with its dark and foreboding interior, serves as a battleground between good and evil as a young girl becomes possessed by a demonic entity. The eerie atmosphere and disturbing events that take place within the church make for a truly terrifying viewing experience.
9. The Orphanage – The Orphanage (2007)
In this Spanish horror film, a woman returns to her childhood home, an old orphanage, to open it as a facility for disabled children. The isolated and decaying building, filled with memories and secrets from her past, becomes a haunting and sinister location. As the ghosts of the orphanage begin to reveal themselves, the woman must confront the horrors of her own childhood.
10. The Lighthouse – The Lighthouse (2019)
This psychological horror film takes place on a remote and isolated island where two lighthouse keepers are stationed. As they spend months alone together, their descent into madness is mirrored by the unforgiving landscape and ominous lighthouse. The haunting imagery and unsettling atmosphere of the island add to the growing tension and unease between the two men.
11. The Funeral Home – Hereditary (2018)
In this supernatural horror film, a family is haunted by their disturbing past after the death of their matriarch. The family’s funeral home, with its dark and claustrophobic rooms, becomes a place of terror as strange occurrences begin to happen. The unsettling atmosphere of the funeral home and its connection to the family’s history create an overwhelming feeling of dread throughout the film.
12. The Deserted Village – The Witch (2015)
Set in colonial New England, The Witch follows a family who is banished from their village and forced to live on the edge of a dark and foreboding forest. The isolated and barren landscape, combined with the eerie woods and supernatural occurrences, create a sense of unease and isolation for the family. As their fears and suspicions grow, the village and its outlying areas become increasingly sinister.
13. The Cursed Hotel – The Innkeepers (2011)
In this supernatural horror film, two employees at an old hotel that is about to close for good begin to experience strange and terrifying events. The hotel, which is rumored to be haunted, becomes a character in its own right as the employees uncover its dark secrets. The rundown and eerie atmosphere of the hotel adds to the growing tension and sense of unease throughout the film.
14. The Ghost Ship – Ghost Ship (2002)
As the title suggests, this horror film takes place on a deserted cruise ship that is found drifting in the Bering Sea. The decaying and ominous vessel becomes a character in itself as a salvage crew boards it to claim the treasure they believe is on board. But they soon realize that they are not alone on the ship, and its dark past begins to reveal itself in terrifying ways.
15. The Remote Cottage – The Babadook (2014)
This Australian horror film centers around a single mother and her young son living in a secluded cottage on the outskirts of town. The eerie and isolated location, combined with the creepy children’s book that seems to come to life, creates an overwhelming feeling of dread and terror. As the mother’s mental state deteriorates, the cottage becomes an increasingly unsettling and claustrophobic setting.
In conclusion, indie horror films have brought audiences some of the most terrifying and unforgettable locations in cinematic history. From abandoned asylums to remote cabins in the woods, these settings have become integral to the overall atmosphere and fear factor of these films. And as these 15 examples show, these locations are not just mere backdrops, but often play a crucial role in the story, adding to the terror and intensity of the film. So next time you watch an indie horror film, pay attention to the setting, because it just might be the scariest part of the whole experience.
