Mike Flanagan is currently at the center of the spotlight. Since gaining prominence with “Oculus” in 2013, he has become a leading figure in horror, now taking on the challenge of reviving “The Exorcist” franchise.
As widely known, “Exorcist: Believer” was Universal’s attempt to reboot the universe created by William Friedkin, not with just one installment, but a planned trilogy. However, the picture’s poor reception from both critics and audiences led to the cancellation of the entire project. A few months later, Flanagan was tasked with sorting out this mess.
Although his version is set for release on March 13, 2026, he is already answering questions about it. In one such interview, he revealed the two films that he finds most frightening.
What scared Mike Flanagan? His top 2 terrifying film picks
In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Mike Flanagan discussed his remake of “The Exorcist,” describing it not only as the most challenging film he has made but also the scariest.
During the same interview, the filmmaker shared the two movie that have frightened him the most. These selections are notably different in both story and subgenre: one is psychological, and the other is more graphic.
The first title that Flanagan mentioned is “Lake Mungo,” a production presented in a mockumentary style. It follows the Palmer family as they cope with the mysterious death of their 16-year-old daughter, who drowned at a dam. Flanagan found it so unsettling that it “scared him off the couch.” It is available for streaming on Prime Video, but it’s set to leave in less than a month, so watch it soon!
For his second pick, he chose the visceral horror picture “Martyrs.” Known for its intense gore, it follows Lucie, a young woman who, after escaping captivity and torture, searches for her captors. Then, she uncovers a secret society obsessed with achieving martyrdom through extreme suffering. Despite his aversion to excessive gore, Flanagan found the movie compelling for its complex twist. This flick is also available on Prime Video and will be removed in just over 20 days.
