Movies - TV
The 10 Best Horror Movies Set in New York, Ranked
By CHAD COLLINS
Friday the 13th
Jason Voorhees plans to terrorize New York City in "Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan," but only the third act takes place in the city due to budgetary constraints. Despite that, Voorhees still gets a notable scene in Times Square and has some of his best kills in this part — the film is a fun watch overall.
Rosemary's Baby
Even though "Rosemary's Baby" is set in New York City, most of the action unfolds in Rosemary's apartment. Yet, the size of the city adds to the scares as Rosemary feels truly alone in a city of millions, with no one willing to help her, making it a heartrending and deeply distressing parable for distinctly female fears.
Black Swan
"Black Swan" portrays the ruthless pursuit of success in New York City, as shown through Natalie Portman's Oscar-winning role as ballerina Nina Sayers. Director Darren Aronofsky perfectly captures the depressive ennui of the city and its claustrophobic perimeters, as well as Sayers' very private descent in a public forum.
Dark Water
In Walter Salles' "Dark Water," Jennifer Connelly stars as a woman who moves into a dilapidated apartment with her daughter amid a contentious custody dispute. The film captures a distinct sense of poverty and desperation in New York City, conveying an empathetic, humanistic portrait of dire city life with the ramblings of a gothic ghost story.
C.H.U.D.
"C.H.U.D." is a cult classic horror movie about cannibalistic humanoid monsters targeting the homeless population in New York City. Despite being lambasted upon release, the film has developed a devoted following due to its tongue-in-cheek tone and political resonance as a commentary on bureaucratic failures and homelessness in the city.