Let me preface this article by saying that I chose not to include horrors loosely based on an amalgamation of real stories such as Wolf Creek, stories that were just inspired by real life such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho, or movies that were sparked by real stories such as A Nightmare on Elm Street or The Strangers. Instead, I chose films that made every effort to stick as close to the actual events as possible.

10. Van Diemen’s Land, 2009

In 1822, eight convicts escaped the brutal Macquarie Harbour and disappeared into the harsh Australian wilderness. Only Alexander Pearce emerged, with chunks of human flesh in his pocket and a surprisingly full belly. This true story as told by Pearce (eventually hung for cannibalism) is presented here as a studied and oppressive film that manages to both haunt and horrify, one worth seeking out.

9. The Girl Next Door, 2007

Although not strictly a ‘horror’ movie in the classic sense, this is truly horrifying. Based on the systemic abuse culminating in the week-long torture, rape and murder of a 16-year-old Sylvia Likens by her guardian Gertrude Baniszewski, as well as Baniszewski’s children and neighbourhood kids in 1965. This is harrowing viewing and very little detail is spared. Called by authorities as the worst crime ever perpetrated on an individual in the history of Indianapolis. To think this actually happened is shocking and heartbreaking.

8. The Amityville Horror, 1979
The Lutz family move into a new home selling for a steal because it was the site of a grizzly family murder some years before, a murder in which the young son Ronald DeFeo jr. claim to have heard voices before killing his entire family as they slept. The Lutz encounter escalating alarming incidents – cold rooms, fly swarms, a little girl’s imaginary friend. This films inclusion is somewhat controversial merely because while the scenes shown in the film are claimed to be true by the Lutz’s, they admit that things are exaggerated for film. It is true however that they only lasted 28 days before fleeing in the middle of the night, leaving all their possessions behind them. Personally, I prefer the remake and feel it’s a better film, but for closer adherence to the claims, it’s gotta be the original.

7. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, 1986

Dangerously close to a bio-pic but with just enough cinematic artistry to not be a straight biography, this is based on real life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, and the vicious crimes he perpetrated in 1982. This is plain shocking: slap-you-out-of-your-seat nasty, with the killings happening so matter-of-factly to give a true sense of how little it means to our protagonist. Henry as portrayed by Michael Rooker is a beast of a character, wrestling with rage that is diluted by apathy. Shot on a budget, this movie packs a punch you won’t forget, but you will probably not watch it more than once.

6. The Town that Dreaded Sundown, 1976

This almost-documentary feeling horror is based on the real life Texarkana Moonlight murders that happened in 1946; in which a masked killer stalked the residents of that small town, ultimately killing five people. The names have been altered as well as the dates of the crimes, and some of the specifics of the actual murders have been altered; but the story, including the alarm of the town that never expected anything like this in their sleepy little burg, remain unchanged. The killer in real life, as in the movie, was never found.
NB. A meta-sequel with the same name was released in 2014 and while wholly fictional, is actually a great 80s-style horror it worth checking out.

5. The Entity, 1981

In 1974 a woman in Culver city approached paranormal researchers claiming to have been raped and assaulted by an entity on an ongoing periodic basis. The investigators captured moving objects, floating lights, and a humanoid apparition within her home, but they never managed to capture the spirit successfully (as they did briefly in the film). Though it feels quite exploitive by today’s sensibilities, it is still an exercise in relentless tension, and the bravery of lead actress Barbara Hershey is to be commended.

4. Open Water, 2003
A couple goes for a scuba-diving trip; they go in the water, have a lovely time investigating the bottom of the ocean, and then surface to find the tour boat has gone, leaving them stranded at sea with nothing but scuba suits. This two-hander is maturely handled by all involved, has chilling moments, a reality to the couples bickering and connection, and the final denouement is haunting. I like this way more than I thought I would, and to know this tragic event happened to a hapless couple in real life is truly nightmare stuff.

3. Blackwater, 2007

Three people – a couple and the wife’s sister, decide to holiday in Northern Territory. Taking a tour through the mangrove swamps turns out to be an error of mammoth proportions when their small boat is capsized and they are forced to shelter in a tree whilst a menacing crocodile circles below them. This frightening premise is exactly what happened to 3 young men in 2003, right down to the scene where a crocodile slowly emerges from the water with a fallen companion in his jaws as if taunting the survivors in the tree. An expertly made horror, all the more admirable by the lack of CGI. An impressive achievement.

2. Zodiac, 2007

Not strictly a horror but with enough elements of horror to allow a place on this list, though not enough to earn the number one spot. Almost 100% factually based on the novel by our main character Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) the way this unfolds is gripping and compelling, it helps you to understand why a killer with only five confirmed kills to his name is still so spellbinding to a nation that has had so many more prolific killers in its history. The mystery at the heart of this and the doggedness of his primary characters expertly brought to life by Gyllenhaal, Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Edwards, are what drives the narrative and keeps you glued to your seat for over 2 1/2 hours. The attention to detail and respect for the real people involved is simply brilliant. Expertly directed by David Fincher, the banality of the killings is never overstated and always shocking.
NB the zodiac case was reopened after the films release, but as yet there have still been no arrests.

1. The Exorcism of Emily Rose, 2005

Based on a real-life case of Anneliese Michel whose parents at their wits end by extreme and acute behavioural problems, decided their daughter was possessed. They enlisted the help of priests to perform an exorcism that lasted an astounding 10 months, and participated in their daughter’s ultimate demise from malnutrition and severe dehydration. A court case ensued in which the priest and parents were convicted of negligent manslaughter. The main differences in this film is the relocation from Germany to Minnesota, and the amalgamation of two priests into one. This films shares its focus between the poor afflicted Emily Rose and the lawyer tasked with defending the priest (Laura Linney – always so good). Again, the lack of CGI is what makes this film so affective-Jennifer Carpenter giving a bravura performance contorting her body and face in devilish ways and truly adding to the skin-crawling and general unease this film creates and its audience. Disturbing, with beautiful set pieces and a refusal to answer those difficult questions; the audience left to decide who is right, what really happened, and whether peering into the darkness is ever a good thing.