A TERRIFYING LOOK INTO VICTORIA’S HORROR FILM HISTORY AND PRESENT

Robyn Nevin as Edna in Relic (2020) 

Victoria has a long, proud and terrifying history of producing some of the best horror films— and horror filmmakers — Australia has ever seen. This includes the iconic Wolf Creek, created by Victorian talent Greg McLean, and the globally successful Saw and Insidious franchise co-created by horror mastermind and Melburnian, Leigh Whannell. But what about the unhinged flicks from the 70s, 80s and 90s that shaped Victoria as the scream state? 

Horror as a genre is having a resurgence globally, and with the support of VicScreen, Victoria continues to be a sought-after location for genre filmmakers. From telekinetic, murderous coma patients to haunted nursing homes, we’ve collated a list of the most disturbing and influential Victorian-made horror films – from retro to yet-to-be-released - that are bound to instil fear in even the bravest of audiences. 

Patrick (1978) 

Patrick centres on a comatose patient with telekinetic powers who, three years after murdering his parents, causes havoc in a hospital. Pretty much your worst nightmare. Patrick may just be the founding father of Victoria’s horror genre.  Directed by Richard Franklin and filmed in Melbourne.  

Long Weekend (1978) 

Directed by Colin Eggleston, this is a psychological horror film about a couple who encounter mysterious supernatural interference during a weekend camping trip. Think romantic getaway with your partner featuring demonic animals and cursed trees — the original eco-horror. 

Snapshot (1979) 

Snapshot (also known as The Day After Halloween and One More Minute in the United States) begins with a glamour-magazine photoshoot that prompts a mysterious ice cream truck stalker. Think retro glam with creepy stalker energy as a young Sigrid Thornton is scared out of her brains. This 1979 Melbourne-made psychological horror was directed by Simon Wincer. 

Thirst (1979) 

Freaky. Gothic. Vampire-esque. Thirst charts the less-than-ideal journey of a woman kidnapped by a cult of blood-drinking ‘supermen’ who attempt to force her to join their ranks. This 1979 horror film was directed Rod Hardy and filmed primarily around the artists' colony of Montsalvat in Melbourne’s north. 

Road Games (1981)  

Partly shot in Victoria and Melbourne, and directed by Richard Franklin and written by Everett De Roche, Road Games is an outback road horror film about a truck driver who becomes convinced a serial killer is stalking the rural highways. 

Next of Kin (1982)  

If you thought your family had secrets, think again. Directed by Tony Williams, Next of Kin follows a young woman who inherits a retirement home with a deeply disturbing past. Think elderly people, creepy castle-core and mean ghosts. Gaining cult status among genre fans for its surreal horror elements, Next of Kin was primarily shot at Overnewton Castle in Keilor.

Celia (1989) 

Celia (also known as Celia: Child of Terror) is about an imaginative and disturbed young girl who fantasises about evil creatures while growing up in rural Australia. The Australian bush has never been less inviting. Shot in and around Melbourne and directed by Ann Turner. 

Body Melt (1993) 

Body Melt follows a mad scientist and his assistant as they experiment on unsuspecting suburban residents of Melbourne with a drug that has disturbing consequences. Tin foil hat wearers will relate. This 1993 body horror film shot primarily in Hoppers Crossing and was directed by Philip Brophy. 

Storm Warning (2007)  

Shot primarily in Werribee, Storm Warning is a survival horror film directed by Jamie Blanks, centred around a married couple who find themselves stranded on a boating trip only to seek shelter in a house with sadistic killers. If you’re after reasons to never leave your house, this film is it. 

Lake Mungo (2008)

A story that feels uncannily real, this 2008 psychological horror film presented as a faux documentary. Lake Mungo explores a family's experiences with supernatural events following their daughter's drowning. Directed by Joel Anderson and shot primarily in Victoria.

 

The Loved Ones (2009) 

This 2009 dark comedy horror film centres on a teenager who becomes the target of a classmate's twisted prom night revenge. The Loved Ones will have you laughing between screams with sparkly prom vibes and a lot of stabbing. Filmed in Melbourne and directed by Sean Byrne, the production also received support from the Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund. 

 

100 Bloody Acres (2012) 

Released in 2012, this horror comedy follows two brothers who run a rural fertilizer business and resort to using human remains in their products. Blood & Bone manure, slash gardening in general, will never feel the same. 100 Bloody Acres was written and directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes and was also funded by the Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund. 

 

Winchester (2018) 

Winchester (also known as Winchester: The House That Ghosts Built) follows Sarah Winchester (Helen Mirren) as she is haunted by spirits inside her San Jose mansion at the dawn of the 20th century. Picture ghosts and corsets, not ghosts in corsets. This 2018 supernatural horror film was directed by brothers Michael and Peter Spierig and was filmed in Melbourne. 

 

Relic (2020) 

Primarily filmed in rural Victoria, Relic follows the story of three generations of women haunted by a manifestation of dementia. If you’re in the mood for existential unease, and long-lasting dread, this is the flick for you. Directed by Natalie Erika James, this psychological horror premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim.   

 

Late Night with the Devil (2023) 

Late Night with the Devil portrays a 1977 late-night talk show host who encounters supernatural occurrences with the devil himself during a live broadcast. It's like Satan going TikTok viral, but in the 70s! This film has gained cult status and  was even parodied in The Simpson’s Halloween episode. Written and directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes, it was shot entirely in studio at Docklands Studios Melbourne. 

 

Together (2025) 

A body horror feature written and directed by Melburnian, Michael Shanks, Together portrays a married couple played by Dave Franco and Alison Brie. They become increasingly enmeshed in each other’s lives due to supernatural forces, reminding us that it is entirely possible to be too close to your partner. It’s a little bit couple goals but also giving ‘I’d rather be single and not have my flesh merge with another human’. Together premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2025. 

 

Saccharine (Coming Soon) 

The latest psychological horror instalment from Natalie Erika James, Saccharine follows a medical student haunted by a hungry ghost after consuming human ashes. Note to viewer, do not consume human ashes. Filmed in Victoria in December 2024 across Melbourne, including at Docklands Studios Melbourne and La Trobe universities, Brunswick and Beaumaris, Saccharine is currently in post-production.  

Saccharine Director Natalie Erika James, actor Madeleine Madden (playing Alanya) and VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher. Photo by Narelle Portanier. 
 

Insidious 6 (Coming Soon) 

Filming is underway for the next instalment of Insidious, with Camberwell, Essendon and Kensington standing in for New England. The moody architecture will provide the perfect backdrop for this addition to the spine-tingling franchise. Co-created by Leigh Whannell and James Wan, the film will star Amelia Eve (The Haunting of Bly Manor), Brandon Perea (A Big Bold Beautiful Journey), Insidious stalwart Lin Shaye and Victorian, Laura Gordon (Late Night with the Devil). 

Ryan Turek at VicScreen’s In-Conversation on Fear, Franchising and Horror Filmmaking. Photo by Daniel Mahon. 
 

Stake Out (Coming Soon) 

Princess Pictures, who produced Together, are returning with another horror flick: Stake Out. The new film from Benjamin and Paul China (Night Shift, Crawl) is about a former couple who stake out a man they suspect of committing murder — uncovering an even more gruesome reality. Produced by Princess Pictures’ Laura Waters and Christopher Casanova with Brooke Posch and John Hodges (Fire Island), it stars Brenton Thwaites (Titans), Charlee Fraser (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) and Danny Huston (Yellowstone). Stake Out filmed on location in Scoresby and at Docklands Studios Melbourne. 

Danny Huston on the set of Stake Out. Photo by Ben King. 

 

Victorian filmmakers have been slaying the boundaries of the horror genre for decades — blending elements of slasher, gore, body horror, supernatural, survival and jump-out-of-your-own-skin-terror with uniquely Australian settings. As the genre continues to evolve — getting weirder and scarier and more deliciously disturbing — it paves the way for a new wave of horror filmmakers to strike fear in the hearts of willing victims.  

Learn more about VicScreen’s incentives, funding and support programs here.