Most horror concepts are metaphorical in some way or have some kind of message, and that's something I genuinely enjoy about the genre. But it really annoys me when basically every other story beat is telling you exactly what that metaphor/message is and what you should think about it. Films like The Substance, Immaculate, and even The Babadook do this.

Bad movies have always existed, and I don't exactly have highbrow tastes, but I feel like in recent years writers are absolutely tripping over themselves to make everything as spelled-out, heavy-handed, and closed for interpretation as possible.

Does anyone have recommendations for films that aren't like this? My favorite horror movies are Marrowbone, Black Swan, Noroi: The Curse, The Exorcist, and Carnival of Souls.

The only subgenres I don't like are slashers and body horror.