From Marisa Tomei to Mackenzie Davis, Georgina Campbell and Joe Keery, Hollywood’s biggest names don’t just star in blockbusters or beloved TV series. They focus on independent feature films, personal projects, and short horror films. And for those who really don’t want to watch another Hollywood sequel or remake this Halloween, these horror shorts on YouTube are perfect.
Most of these collections were found on Alter, “an ever-expanding platform for the horror world’s boldest storytellers.” They are also a “community and launching pad” for filmmakers. And if you’re interested in pitching the film, Alter has more information about it here. So get ready for some horror and be sure to send the creators all your love if you like their work!
1. Laboratory conditions (2017) – Starring Marisa Tomei and Minnie Driver
Director: Jocelyn Stamat Laboratory conditions stars Marisa Tomei and Minnie Driver. According to the synopsis, “A doctor investigating a missing body foils an illegal experiment.”
2. How to be alone (2019) – Starring Maika Monroe and Joe Keery.
Written and directed by Keith Trefry. How to be alone stars Maika Monroe from Should and Joe Keery from Very strange things. According to the synopsis, the horror short film is about “One woman’s simple three-step guide to surviving a night alone.
3. Requiem (2021) — Starring Bella Ramsey
Directed by MJ Gilbertson Requiem stars Bella Ramsey from the popular TV series Last of us. According to the annotation, “Requiem The action takes place in 1605, against the backdrop of the witch trials. It’s a coming-of-age story about Evelyn playing a game of cat and mouse with her father, Minister Gilbert, in order to be with Mary, the woman she loves.”
4. Return to sender (2022) — Starring Allison Tolman
Written and directed by Russell Goldman. Return to sender stars Allison Tolman from Good girls. It is also produced by the famous and beloved actor Jamie Lee Curtis from Halloween hunger. According to the synopsis, “a story unfolds about a woman involved in a delivery scam that gets increasingly stranger.”
5. Skin and bones (2022) — Starring Amanda Seyfried
Written and directed by Eli Powers. Skin and bones stars Amanda Seyfried from Dropout And Les Miserables. According to the synopsis, “a tramp begins to suffer from terrifying visions after taking a job on a secluded farm.”
6. Upstairs (2020) – Starring Iain De Caestecker
Directed by Phillip Trow Upstairs Starring: Sorcha Groundsell, Luke Newberry, Heather Coombs and Yolanda Kettle. But for those who watched Agents of Shield they might recognize Iain De Caestecker. According to the synopsis, “Jennifer Saint finally gets confirmation that she is in the right place when her late father reaches out from beyond the grave to confirm that their dark family secret is, in fact, the truth.”
7. Deadly (2015) – Starring Alan Ruck
Directed by Mike Williamson Deadly stars Alan Ruck from Continuity. According to the synopsis: “After the tragic death of his wife in a house fire, Richard returns home on the night of her funeral and discovers that he may not be as alone as he thought.”
8. Otherkin (2022) — Starring Georgina Campbell
Directed by Dawson Taylor Otherkin stars Georgina Campbell from Barbarian. According to the synopsis, “Scarlet visits her estranged biological parents in hopes of forging a long-awaited connection and discovers that they are strangely, if not dangerously, obsessed with foxes.
9. House (2016) – Starring Alex Esso
Directed by L. Gustavo Cooper House stars Alex Esso from Midnight Mass And The Haunting of Bly Manor. According to the synopsis, “In a small, isolated 19th-century Irish home for unwed mothers, a young pregnant woman must fight for her survival as the house comes under siege from a group of mysterious invaders.”
10. Emptyed (2014) — Starring Mackenzie Davis
Written and directed by David Ferino. Emptyed stars Mackenzie Davis from Station eleven. According to the synopsis, “Based on a crime reported in April 2012, things get physical when a jilted dentist gets a visit from her lecherous ex-boyfriend.”
eleven. Good night dear (2021) – Starring AnnaSophia Robb and Vivienne Lyra Blair.
Directed by Adam Asimov. Good night dear stars AnnaSophia Robb from Bridge to Terabithia glory and Princess Leia Organa herself Vivien Lyra Blair from Obi-Wan Kenobi. According to the synopsis: “Two sisters wonder if their mother’s strange behavior is a reaction to a recent family loss, or if there is something more sinister behind it…”
12. Blue door (2017) – Starring Gemma Whelan
Directed by Paul Taylor Blue door stars Gemma Whelan from Game of Thrones And Gentleman Jack. According to the synopsis, “Claire is a caring nurse who opens the door to her new job. But perhaps some doors are better left closed…”
13. Night swimming (2014) – Starring Megalyn Echikunwoke
Directed by Rod Blackhurst and Bryce McGuire. Night swimming stars Megalyn Echikun woke up from Vixen And AlmostFamily. According to the synopsis: “A woman swims in a pool at night. But something is watching her.