Five Horror Movies From the 1920's Worth Watching

The 1920's is an interesting decade of horror. We must acknowledge the lack of technology available at the time to fully appreciate these films. It's laudable they were even made! Once you've watched a silent film or two, you're eager to watch another. The 1920's largely consisted of silent films, so it's paramount to embrace this style of viewing. We've put together five films from this decade that are worth watching and are available on Tubi for streaming.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

Director Robert Weine crafted a film that is bizarre looking in every way, while also creating cinema's first plot twist. The film's antagonist may not be as popular as Nosferatu, but he is equally evil and unstable. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari revolves around a man named Dr. Caligari who enters into a town carnival in Germany. With him he brings his somnambulist who predicts the future. As townsfolk show up dead, our protagonist Francis attempts to expose Caligari for the murders. In the end we get a wonderful plot twist that I will not spoil for you.

The most notable aspect of the film is without doubt the stylistic choices from Weine. The set designs are chaotic with criss crossing patterns and angles of buildings that are not structurally sound. There are several shots of sidewalks and streets that are far too narrow, and the tent Caligari holds his show seems cramped and rickety. All of these choices lead us to believe the film is a true piece of expressionism indicating a time of great turmoil in Germany. The country was coming off the heels of World War 1, and many families were torn apart because of it. Cesare, the somnambulist, signifies the German army and their willingness to carry out all orders. Francis represents the public who hold an anti-authoritarian message, willing to question those in power even if unpopular.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)

Though the 1931 version from Rouben Mamoulian is more popular, this one from John S. Robertson is equally terrifying. Dr. Jekyll is a philanthropic doctor who devises a way to separate the two natures of man, good and evil. His experiment succeeds and his evil alter ego, Mr. Hyde, is created.

Thanks to ingenious use of makeup and prosthetics, the transformation into Mr. Hyde is convincing and holds up quite well today. John Barrymore does an exceptional job portraying the emotions and pain of Dr. Jekyll as he goes through this transition.

Nosferatu (1922)

Most people would agree this is a classic, with imagery that is recognizable across the globe. The movie was inspired by the 1897 novel Dracula written by Bram Stoker, which nearly kept Nosferatu from being made due to copyright infringement. Murnau had to change the title and alter some plot points, but he got it through. The plot centers around Count Orlok (Max Schreck) who summons Thomas Hutter to his Transylvanian castle in the mountains. He seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife. Hutter soon realizes Count Orlok's vampire nature and escapes the castle to warn his wife, who Count Orlok shows interest in. In the meantime, Orlok's servant helps prepare him for arrival at his new home.

What Nosferatu lacks in digital quality; it makes up for in ingenuity by paying attention to angles, available light, and shadows. The costume design for Count Orlok was exceptional, and his appearance never sat right with me, lending an almost uncanny valley look. His face is too long, his brows too bushy, and ears too large... There were several moments in this film where I was nearly hypnotized by Nosferatu's animalistic gaze. It's as if Murnau found a wild beast in the isolated mountains and placed it in front of the camera.

A neat spin on the story I'd not anticipated was the reference to one of the worst pandemics in human history, "The Black Death". With Count Orlok's arrival comes impending death, just like the rats that carried the plague.

The Hands of Orlac (1924)

Most of the films on this list are trope starters in one way or another, but The Hands of Orlac may be the most obvious. The story follows a world-famous pianist named Paul Orlac (Conrad Veidt) who loses his hands in a train derailment. Through a miraculous procedure, he gets his hands back. There's a catch though... Paul's new hands are those of a murderer.

Stylistically, The Hands of Orlac is a simple, yet ornate film. Each interior shot has little going on visually, the sets rather bare. But the complex patterns on the wall, the sharp angles of light, and steep archways leave some room for interpretation. These choices emphasize our subject, the late actor Conrad Veidt as he steals the show. You may recognize Conrad as Cesare from the first movie on this list. Conrad was no joke during the silent and golden era and is revered by many. With each passing moment we see the growing fear and worry in Paul's eyes, as he becomes unable to control his actions. His evil hands seemingly want one thing: to kill! But wait. This is a Robert Weine film. What do we know of Robert Weine based off The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari? I also won't spoil this one for you.

The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

This one is the work of four renowned directors of the time, with the most notable being Lon Chaney who actually played the infamous phantom. The film is set at the Paris Opera House, home to countless acts and accommodating thousands of guests. A rumor exists amongst the workers and performers about a phantom who haunts the building and resides somewhere within. He's even said to occupy box number 5 at the opera house, mysteriously coming and going as he pleases. This film has a lot going for it with a story and setting that are grand in scale, giving the viewer a memorable experience. The phantom, always one step ahead of the rest, is quirky and mystifying.

The sets are truly impressive, with inner workings of tunnels, stairs, and hidden vaults beneath the opera house. The passage to the phantom's secret lair requires navigating through sewer channels. It's all just fun to watch and take in. Yes, the acting is overdone, but it doesn't take away from the story and setting. The film's conclusion is reminiscent of Frankenstein with the townspeople rallying together to take down the monster in the end.