13 Russian horror films that are really scary

Horror is not the most popular genre in our country. In Soviet times, such films were almost never released, and in recent years horror films based only on special effects have been released too often. But the films from the Lifehacker selection scare you with the very atmosphere and unusual ideas.

13. Lumi

• USSR, 1991.
• Horror, adventure.
• Duration: 100 minutes.
• IMDb: 5.8.

In the forest near the Latvian farm lives a huge half-wolf, half-man, nicknamed Lumi. According to legend, he goes hunting once every 100 years. Valery Gumpert is trying to kill him, whose grandfather once defeated such a monster. It turns out that you can only lure Lumi with the help of a girl in certain clothes.

The film by Vladimir Bragin retells the tale of Little Red Riding Hood in a very unusual way. The picture has a very small budget, and therefore the video sequence looks very simple. But at the same time "Lumi" combines black comedy and elements of a classic horror movie.

12. Day of rage

• USSR, 1985.
• Horror, fantasy, detective.
• Duration: 84 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.1.

Professor Fiedler conducted experiments on animals in the reserve. As a result, the area was inhabited by otarks - cruel creatures similar to bears, but with an almost human intellect. Betly the journalist goes to the restricted area to understand the secrets of the scientist.

The picture, combining fantasy with horror for the first time on Soviet screens, is based on the story of the same name by Sever Gansovsky. The author of the original was not too happy with the adaptation. Although it is easy to see that the idea is very similar to “Island of Dr. Moreau»HG Wells.

11. Family of ghouls

• USSR, 1990.
• Horror, drama.
• Duration: 82 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.2.

In a remote village, the old man Yakov, who has unearthed the grave, is attacked by a ghoul, and he dies. Soon the journalist Igor is sent to the same area. He settles with Yakov's family and discovers that the deceased returned home a few days later.

Directors Igor Shavlak and Gennady Klimov filmed an unusual adaptation of A. TO. Tolstoy's "Family of a Ghoul". The action was transferred to modernity and turned the Gothic grotesque into a dark postmodern.

The film was scolded by critics, saying that the actors were acting unconvincingly, and the plot was too sluggish. But in fact, "Family of Ghouls" is more catchy with its atmosphere: the film was shot in pale colors, and the Russian outback is shown as a place of desolation.

10. Dad, Santa Claus died

• USSR, 1991.
• Horror.
• Duration: 81 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.4.

Very strange grandfather and grandson set traps for a person. At the same time, the scientist goes to his relative in the village to finish the story about the shrew. Local residents behave very incomprehensibly: they are all obsessed with mysticism and subordinate the visitors to their will.

It's hard to believe, but the film "Daddy, Santa Claus is dead" is based on the same story by Tolstoy "The Ghoul's Family" as the previous film. The author of the picture, Yevgeny Yufit, is not without reason known as the founder of the "parallel cinema" movement, that is, filmed contrary to classical laws. With the filing of Alexei German, he turned the story about vampires into an abstract and very eerie piece.

9. Dogs

• USSR, 1989.
• Horror, thriller.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.5.

A group of mercenaries is sent on a mission to an endangered city that once stood on the seashore. Then it became shallow and a desert formed around. The few inhabitants are increasingly attacked by aggressive packs of dogs, which hunters must destroy. But it turns out that things are not so simple with the dogs, and the mercenaries can hardly be called a friendly team.

The picture was shot by Dmitry Svetozarov, the future co-author of the "National Security Agent" and "Streets of Broken Lanterns". And this is a rare attempt for Soviet and Russian cinema to combine an action movie with horror.

The lack of special effects is compensated by charismatic actors, mystical music from the Time Machine group and the final plot twist that changes the whole perception of the film. By the way, the idea of ​​a post-apocalyptic abandoned city was inspired by the real story of the shallowing of the Aral Sea.

8. Ghoul

• Russia, 1997.
• Horror, action movie.
• Duration: 72 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

An experienced vampire hunter comes to a small town, which until recently was a war of criminal gangs. Now they are even afraid criminals - the power is seized by bloodsuckers. The hunter must find their leader - the ghoul. Rumor has it that he is not indifferent to the daughter of a local authority.

Sergei Vinokurov shot this picture with a minimum budget in two weeks in Kronstadt. The plot of "Ghoul" draws an interesting analogy between vampires and criminals: both of them "drink the blood of the population." So the film can be considered not only a good horror thriller, but also a statement on the theme of the dashing 90s.

The dark atmosphere of "Ghoul" is complemented by the soundtrack from the Tequilajazzz group. And the final scene allows the viewer to independently decide how the story ended.

7. Serpentine source

• Russia, 1997.
• Horror, thriller, detective.
• Duration: 87 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.8.

Student Dina Sergeeva comes to a small town for an internship, where she wants to meet her lover at the same time. She soon finds the dead girl and immediately becomes the main murder suspect. The city is in charge maniac, but instead of looking for a villain, residents are ready to lynch Dina.

This film is more of a thriller rather than a horror movie. But it still has some really scary scenes, especially in the ending, which makes it possible to add him to this list.

Director Nikolai Lebedev took a theme typical for Hollywood cinema, and the budget of his film is much more modest. But in the "Serpentine source" the plot is inscribed in the atmosphere of a typical Russian hinterland with a stagnant order. And often the reaction of the crowd is more frightening here than the actions of the criminal.

6. Blood drinkers

• USSR, 1991.
• Horror.
• Duration: 110 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.8.

Young prince Runevsky arrives at the ball to his beloved Dasha. After the event, he decides to walk through the rooms and meets a strange pale man. He says that a lot of ghouls were present at the evening.

And one more film adaptation of A. TO. Tolstoy, this time - the story "Ghoul". Evgeny Tatarsky basically wanted to shoot part of the picture on location in Italy, for which he had to look for sponsors. But the actress Marina Vlady agreed to play for free in exchange for a role in the director's next film.

"Blood drinkers" were criticized for excessive pathos and seriousness. Nevertheless, the combination of the vampire theme and the aesthetics of the Russian nobility conveys the spirit of the original well.

5. King Stakh's Wild Hunt

• USSR, 1979.
• Horror, thriller, drama.
• Duration: 139 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.9.

In 1900, ethnographer Andrei Beloretsky came to the Belarusian Polesie. There he learns the legend of the vilely murdered King Stach, who now returns with his cavalry and takes revenge on the traitor's family. At first Beloretsky does not believe in legends, but then people around him begin to die.

"The Wild Hunt of King Stakh" was called the first Soviet mystical thriller. The film is based on the story of the same name by Vladimir Korotkevich. However, in the film adaptation, the action was moved to a later time, many side storylines were removed, and the basis was made darker.

And in the ominous picture, you can see interesting political hints: the main character is trying to raise an uprising, for which he then receives a severe punishment.

4. Touch

• Russia, 1992.
• Horror, thriller.
• Duration: 97 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.0.

Investigator Andrei Krutitsky understands a strange case: a young mother first strangled her own son, and then opened her veins. Moreover, after interrogation, her lover also commits suicide. Soon Krutitsky is faced with a cult that glorifies death, and even ghosts.

Albert Mkrtchyan is better known as the author of the legendary "Sannikov Land". But while creating the mystical horror "Touch", he was in his place: non-standard solutions like the answers of the deceased, which consist of the announcements of the railway dispatcher, are terrifying to this day. Alas, this picture turned out to be the last work of the director.

3. Mister designer

• USSR, 1988.
• Horror, fantasy.
• Duration: 109 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.1.

The artist Platon Andreevich, obsessed with competing with God himself, creates his best work. Taking as a basis the image of Anna, a woman dying of consumption, he makes a perfect mannequin, indistinguishable from the original. Then the sculpture disappears, and Platon Andreevich spends his days in oblivion from morphine. Years later, he meets the wife of a wealthy businessman, Maria, and recognizes in her either dead Anna or his work.

The film, imbued with the spirit of decadence, quickly became a cult. This was influenced by many factors: the game of Viktor Avilov, for whom it was the first film role, music Sergei Kuryokhin, combining symphony, opera vocals and rock, the courage of the authors who showed the main character addict.

"Mister Designer" does not fit into the framework of one genre: there is enough drama and thriller, and real horror. And the ending does not give a clear explanation of what is happening.

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2. Viy

• USSR, 1967.
• Horror, adventure.
• Duration: 77 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.4.

Homa Brutus killed the ugly old witch, who immediately turned into a beautiful girl. Now he must read the psalter near her tomb for three nights. But every time there are more and more evil spirits around.

To date, this film adaptation of the work Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol may not look too scary: the makeup is too outdated, and the images of different ghouls seem rather funny. But for its time the picture was really creepy: horror films in the USSR in the 60s were simply not filmed.

And those who saw this picture in deep childhood will remember with pleasure the first impressions from viewing. Natalia Varley's crazy eyes will certainly not leave you indifferent.

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1. Dead man's letters

• USSR, 1986.
• Science fiction, drama.
• Duration: 88 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.6.

Nobel laureate Larsen escapes the aftermath of a nuclear war in a museum dungeon. He meets various survivors and tries to understand why humanity is constantly striving for self-destruction.

Perhaps the most terrifying film of Soviet cinema can hardly be called a classic horror. But Konstantin Lopushansky created a frightening post-apocalyptic an atmosphere comparable in doom only to the tape "On the Last Shore".

Although the film has another interpretation: perhaps there was actually no war, and people live in an isolated territory, where they are tested for their survival during a nuclear winter.

And it only remains to add that, by a fatal coincidence, "Letters from a Dead Man" was released in 1986 - almost simultaneously with the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

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Which of the following movies scared you the most? Which ones seemed not at all scary? Or maybe your favorite horror movie didn't make this list? Then add your recommendations in the comments.