Modern Horror in 2026: 'Obsession' Shines Amid Genre Fatigue
In a lackluster 2026, 'Obsession' stands out as the year's best horror film, while reviews warn of disappointing sequels and mediocre releases.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Modern Pavor in 2026: 'Obsession' Shines Amid Genre Fatigue
In 2026, pavor fans face a paradox: never has there been so much content available, yet the consensus is that it’s been a weak year. After six years of discussion about modern pavor worth watching, the balance sheet is bittersweet. Titles like 'Obsession' are hailed as the best of an exercise that, according to various counts, leaves a trail of hard-to-digest mediocrity. The question is no longer if interesting pavor exists, but how much of what is released withstands the test of time.
The starting point for this journey is 2015, when 'The Hallow' was championed—an Irish film about goblins and forest spirits which, with a low budget, achieved an honorable score of 5.65. Since then, criteria have tightened: any scare won't do, and the label of classic is reserved for works that, like 'The Shining', carry the burden of dubbing some consider outdated.
From 'The Hallow' to 'Obsession': A Decade of Ups and Downs
The genre's evolution over this period can be read as a succession of promises and disappointments. In 2019, 'Cursed Forest' and 'Ghostland' held their ground; in 2017, 'Terrified' and 'The Witch in the Window' earned a place among fans. The emergence of 'When Evil Lurks' generated enthusiasm not everyone shared: some abandoned it after minutes, while others argued its reception was inflated because it came from Argentina, claiming a Spanish film with the same characteristics would have gone unnoticed. The debate on the treatment of national cinema versus the overrated Argentine cinema looms over several discussions.
The case of 'Obsession' is paradigmatic. Directed by a young creator in his twenties, the film has been crowned the best of the year by part of the fanbase, who highlight its Lynchian scenes, superb lighting, and surprisingly solid script. However, some remind us that the bar is on the floor: "The best pavor movie of the year so far. By far. It's also true that it's been a shit year for pavor," summarizes one of the most critical voices regarding the general landscape.
The Burden of Expectations and Sequels
The gap between what the trailer promises and what the theater delivers is another axis of disillusionment. 'It Ends' was rated as an "unbearable flop" and strongly advised against, warning that reviews and previews deceive. The new installment of 'Resident Evil' bet on comedy and left many with the feeling that neither the previous saga nor this new one manages to emulate the early video games. The ending of one recent film was described as "the worst ending I can remember right now," capable of negating all the good the film had achieved.
Sequels, in general, haven't helped. Regarding 'REC', it was said that the first is "excellent" and the trinc ones are "total crap." The 'The Conjuring' franchise has been defended as effective and crowd-pleasing, but also criticized for not developing its stories. The sense that the genre lives off past glories is recurrent.
Spanish Cinema and the Eternal Debate on Subsidies
National production occupies a prominent place in the conversation. 'La Espera' (The Wait) was received with enthusiasm, emphasizing that the film makes clear from the start that it is not subsidized by the Ministry of Culture, a detail that for some is a guarantee of independence. Other proposals like 'La hora incógnita' or '3 days' expand the catalog of rural pavor, which seems to be experiencing a boom. The discussion on whether Argentine cinema is overrated or if Spanish cinema is unfairly treated adds a layer of controversy that transcends the cinematic.
Pavor That Doesn't Scare: When the Genre Disguises Itself as Drama
One of the most repeated accusations is that many films labeled as pavor aren't. 'Bring Her Back' was described as "a grayish drama with a bit of gore, a bit of madness, depressing air," and doubts were raised about whether it deserved the label. 'The Companion' was qualified as a thriller with twists, touches of sci-fi and black comedy, closer to an episode of 'Black Mirror' than pure pavor. The confusion of genres, far from enriching, sometimes disappoints those looking for real scares.
Sturgeon's Law and Addiction to the Genre
The most lucid reflection came upon realizing that "for every good or interesting movie, there are 20 mediocrities." The answer wasn't long in coming: "Most movies are boring. But like all cinema, music, or literature in general, it's Sturgeon's Law: ninety percent of everything produced is trash." The addiction to pavor and the macabre leads people to swallow each bore, hence the usefulness of reviews that help avoid wasting time.
The balance, fitting for 2026, is that of a genre that continues to produce notable works—'Obsession', 'Ugly Stepsister', '28 Years Later'—but drags a slab of mediocrity difficult to dodge. The question remaining in the air is whether next year will break the trend or if fans will continue settling for crumbs. For now, the most honest answer is that of those who recommend persevering, if only to find that hidden gem amidst the noise.
In 2026, pavor fans face a paradox: never has there been so much content available, yet the consensus is that it’s been a weak year. After six years of discussion about modern pavor worth watching, the balance sheet is bittersweet. Titles like 'Obsession' are hailed as the best of an exercise that, according to various counts, leaves a trail of hard-to-digest mediocrity. The question is no longer if interesting pavor exists, but how much of what is released withstands the test of time.
The starting point for this journey is 2015, when 'The Hallow' was championed—an Irish film about goblins and forest spirits which, with a low budget, achieved an honorable score of 5.65. Since then, criteria have tightened: any scare won't do, and the label of classic is reserved for works that, like 'The Shining', carry the burden of dubbing some consider outdated.
From 'The Hallow' to 'Obsession': A Decade of Ups and Downs
The genre's evolution over this period can be read as a succession of promises and disappointments. In 2019, 'Cursed Forest' and 'Ghostland' held their ground; in 2017, 'Terrified' and 'The Witch in the Window' earned a place among fans. The emergence of 'When Evil Lurks' generated enthusiasm not everyone shared: some abandoned it after minutes, while others argued its reception was inflated because it came from Argentina, claiming a Spanish film with the same characteristics would have gone unnoticed. The debate on the treatment of national cinema versus the overrated Argentine cinema looms over several discussions.
The case of 'Obsession' is paradigmatic. Directed by a young creator in his twenties, the film has been crowned the best of the year by part of the fanbase, who highlight its Lynchian scenes, superb lighting, and surprisingly solid script. However, some remind us that the bar is on the floor: "The best pavor movie of the year so far. By far. It's also true that it's been a shit year for pavor," summarizes one of the most critical voices regarding the general landscape.
The Burden of Expectations and Sequels
The gap between what the trailer promises and what the theater delivers is another axis of disillusionment. 'It Ends' was rated as an "unbearable flop" and strongly advised against, warning that reviews and previews deceive. The new installment of 'Resident Evil' bet on comedy and left many with the feeling that neither the previous saga nor this new one manages to emulate the early video games. The ending of one recent film was described as "the worst ending I can remember right now," capable of negating all the good the film had achieved.
Sequels, in general, haven't helped. Regarding 'REC', it was said that the first is "excellent" and the trinc ones are "total crap." The 'The Conjuring' franchise has been defended as effective and crowd-pleasing, but also criticized for not developing its stories. The sense that the genre lives off past glories is recurrent.
Spanish Cinema and the Eternal Debate on Subsidies
National production occupies a prominent place in the conversation. 'La Espera' (The Wait) was received with enthusiasm, emphasizing that the film makes clear from the start that it is not subsidized by the Ministry of Culture, a detail that for some is a guarantee of independence. Other proposals like 'La hora incógnita' or '3 days' expand the catalog of rural pavor, which seems to be experiencing a boom. The discussion on whether Argentine cinema is overrated or if Spanish cinema is unfairly treated adds a layer of controversy that transcends the cinematic.
Pavor That Doesn't Scare: When the Genre Disguises Itself as Drama
One of the most repeated accusations is that many films labeled as pavor aren't. 'Bring Her Back' was described as "a grayish drama with a bit of gore, a bit of madness, depressing air," and doubts were raised about whether it deserved the label. 'The Companion' was qualified as a thriller with twists, touches of sci-fi and black comedy, closer to an episode of 'Black Mirror' than pure pavor. The confusion of genres, far from enriching, sometimes disappoints those looking for real scares.
Sturgeon's Law and Addiction to the Genre
The most lucid reflection came upon realizing that "for every good or interesting movie, there are 20 mediocrities." The answer wasn't long in coming: "Most movies are boring. But like all cinema, music, or literature in general, it's Sturgeon's Law: ninety percent of everything produced is trash." The addiction to pavor and the macabre leads people to swallow each bore, hence the usefulness of reviews that help avoid wasting time.
The balance, fitting for 2026, is that of a genre that continues to produce notable works—'Obsession', 'Ugly Stepsister', '28 Years Later'—but drags a slab of mediocrity difficult to dodge. The question remaining in the air is whether next year will break the trend or if fans will continue settling for crumbs. For now, the most honest answer is that of those who recommend persevering, if only to find that hidden gem amidst the noise.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (1900 replies).
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