Gone Girl: not horror, but I specifically like it because of how agentic the protagonist is
2., 3. and 4. have in common that there is some sort of abusive relationship that develops, and I think this adds another layer of horror. (A person/group of people gain some power over the protagonist(s), and they slowly grow more abusive with this power.)
Honorable mention for “The things”, a short story by Peter Watts. It retells the movie from the point of view of the monster, revealing the sensible— perhaps even admirable— motives behind its actions.
The Thing: classic
Eden Lake
Misery
10 Cloverfield Lane
Gone Girl: not horror, but I specifically like it because of how agentic the protagonist is
2., 3. and 4. have in common that there is some sort of abusive relationship that develops, and I think this adds another layer of horror. (A person/group of people gain some power over the protagonist(s), and they slowly grow more abusive with this power.)
I was going to say The Thing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(1982_film)
And afterwards you can watch Thingu, approved by John Carpenter.
Honorable mention for “The things”, a short story by Peter Watts. It retells the movie from the point of view of the monster, revealing the sensible— perhaps even admirable— motives behind its actions.