Try not to scream watching these horror movies based on a true story

Nothing is more unsettling than finishing a terrifying scary picture just to find out it was based on a true story. Many of these horror movies even plaster that fact on the film’s poster to entice us horror fanatics. Our world is just downright crazy and proves that fact is indeed stranger than fiction. Here are some of our favorite horror movies based on a true story:

The Strangers (2008)

Quietly powerful and effectively horrific, The Strangers is a movie you really wish wasn’t true. A couple is planning on spending a romantic weekend in a remote vacation home, that is until a quiet stranger knocks on their door. The film follows the couple as they try to survive the night with these masked torturers. 

The story itself was based on an event from the director Bryan Bertino’s childhood. Bertino recounted a memory of when he and his little sister were home alone and a stranger knocked on the door. When the sister had answered, a group of people were there asking for someone who didn’t live there. However, they simply left. 

Doesn’t seem that scary, right? Well, it wasn’t until later that Bertino found out that these people were checking to see if the house was empty in order to break in. This further explains the masked killer’s eerie line after being asked why they were doing such horrific acts. One of the killers simply replies: “Because you were home.” 

Veronica (2018)

This Spanish film follows the terrifying events which occur after a teenage girl messes around with a ouija board and releases a demon. The movie is based on a police report in Madrid after a young girl dies following a séance. The report claimed that after the séance the girl experienced numerous seizures and even hallucinations of a demonic presence. The victim ultimately died because of her condition. 

The police officers and chief inspector had reported multiple strange and inexplicable events at the victim’s home which were called “a situation of mystery and rarity”.  Learning about the true case of this film makes it all the more horrific. 

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

This disturbing film follows the life of Henry, a nomad who kills everyone: women & children included. The film garnered some serious controversy for its explicit violence and even earned itself an “X” rating by the MPAA. 

The movie was based on the real American serial killer Henry Lee Lucas who was active during 1960 to 1983. He was imprisoned for murdering eleven victims, including his own mother. However, Lucas confessed to over 100 murders which have yet to be confirmed. 

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

The movie follows the court trial which occurs after nineteen-year-old Emily Rose dies after an exorcism. Both terrifying & tragic, the real case from 1976 involves the death of Anneliese Michel who had undergone nearly sixty seven exorcisms and ultimately died of starvation. This is a movie so haunting that you’ll probably be sleeping with a bible under your pillow tonight. 

My Friend Dahmer (2017)

The film is based on the teenage years of infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and the events which would lead to his sadistic future. The movie is actually based on a graphic novel of the same name by John Backderf, a high school friend of Dahmer’s. 

We at Film Daily would like to implore that if you see a friend collecting dead animals to dump in acid, please contact your local police. In fact, try and contact the FBI as soon as possible. 

Scream (1996)

A slasher classic, Scream has become iconic in the horror genre, and the Ghostface mask can be found at nearly every Halloween store. However, not many know the Wes Craven classic was based on a true story. Scream’s killers were based on Danny Harold Rolling who had murdered five students in the college town of Gainesville, Florida. The murders took place only six years prior to the film’s release. 

Rolling had an obsession for horror films and claims he watched The Exorcist III just before his killing spree. This same obsession can be found in Scream’s killers who continuously reference famous scary movies. Now we all love scary movies as much as the next person, however, let’s not take it to the lengths Stu & Billy did.

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Horror films are a fun way to escape reality and get a good scare but what do we do when these films end up being based on real life? After watching these movies, no one will judge you for sleeping with all the lights on and a teddy bear by your side. Let us know in the comments which are your favorite horror movies based on a true story!