From ancient funeral practices to serial killers wanting to keep their victims inside them forever, cannibalism has fascinated our species since we first realized that we were different from other animals. That’s why the subject shows up so frequently in our horror stories, with the taboo surrounding the consumption of human flesh laying the groundwork for some of our most enduring monsters and legends.
Writer Megan Mostyn-Brown is clearly aware of this, as her debut novel The Need promises to explore the intersection of cannibalism as both an incurable affliction and an addictive source of power. In celebration, today I’d like to recommend five cannibal movies that horror fans should watch before diving into Mostyn-Brown’s blood-soaked satire.
The Need is now available on shelves at your favorite retailer.
As usual, this list will be based on personal opinion, though I’ll refrain from repeating movies that may have shown up in previous lists celebrating iconic cinematic cannibals. That being said, don’t forget to comment below with your own cannibalistic favorites if you think a particularly memorable one was missed.
With that out of the way, onto the list!
5. We Are What We Are (2013)
I’ve written a lot about Jim Mickle in the past, as cult classics like Mulberry Street and Stake Land have convinced me that the Pennsylvanian director is one of the most underrated genre filmmakers currently working in the industry. That’s why it should be no surprise that his moody thriller We Are What We Are makes it onto this list.
An American-set remake of the 2010 Mexican original Somos lo que hay (which itself is a sequel to Guillermo Del Toro’s underrated vampire flick Cronos), Mickle’s version of the story takes quite a few liberties with the source material. In fact, I’d argue that this highly atmospheric thriller about the consequences of familial cannibalism offers a completely different experience than its Mexican inspiration – which is why both movies are worth checking out for completely different reasons!
4. Bones and All (2022)
Be it through vampirism or love-bites that go too far, there’s an inherent sensual element to the consumption (simulated or otherwise) of human beings. This uncomfortable subject matter tends to be ignored in most cannibal movies, but that’s far from the case with the romantic flesh-eating of Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All.
This 2022 film tells a thought-provoking love story about “Eaters” who were born with Cannibalistic tendencies and learn more about others like them, with the story brought to life by a star-studded cast and some of the most memorable visuals in Guadagnino’s career.
3. Cannibal Mukbang (2023)
A surprisingly compelling Tubi original, Aimee Kuge’s Cannibal Mukbang combines the vigilante thrills of Dexter with retro B-movie aesthetics and a self-aware sense of humor. In fact, despite referencing the online trend of influencers broadcasting themselves consuming ridiculous meals in exchange for attention, this gory rom-com wouldn’t feel out of place in a smoke-filled movie theater from the ’70s.
That being said, it’s the tragic relationship between our two leads that really holds the entire experience together. April Consalo and Nate Wise knock it out of the park as star-crossed lovers destined to be driven apart by the consequences of frequent cannibalism, and you can’t help but root for them even through all the excessive murder.
2. Fresh (2022)
Dating can be terrifying during the best of times, so it stands to reason that accidentally hooking up with a cannibal butcher who provides fresh meat for his fellow flesh-eaters would make for one of the most horrifying set-ups on this list.
Of course, Mimi Cave’s Fresh has a lot more going on up its bloody sleeves than you might initially believe. Both Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan deliver memorable performances in a captivity thriller that’ll consistently have you at the edge of your seat – unless you find Stan charming enough to actually be convinced that there’s nothing wrong with his messy little “hobby”.
1. Parents (1988)
Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt may not look like a pair of vicious, man-eating serial killers, but that’s precisely what makes this underrated satire of the 1950s American Dream so damn effective. Having the story be told from the perspective of a child who’s beginning to suspect that his parents are engaging in decidedly un-American activities is just the freaky cherry on top!
And yet, Parents’ unserious demeanor doesn’t quite conceal the true horror at the center of the story, especially towards the final act when the truth is revealed, and our child protagonist is forced to grow up as fast as he can in order to survive a generational taste for human blood.
The Need is a rare genetic disorder. Those who have it must consume human flesh or die. For some, The Need is power. For others, it is a curse.
Megan Mostyn-Brown’s debut novel published on September 22 and is available now.
