Horror cinema is a vast and varied landscape, evolving from silent spooks to modern masterpieces. Amidst this evolution, some directors have ventured into the genre, creating a single horror film before retreating for good. Whether due to financial constraints, personal preferences, critical reception, or simply a change of pace, these filmmakers made their mark and then moved on. Let’s explore ten such directors who delivered one horror film and never looked back.
Stanley Kubrick (The Shining, 1980)
Stanley Kubrick, known for his meticulous approach to filmmaking, adapted Stephen King’s “The Shining” in 1980. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, a family man whose sanity unravels in a remote, snowbound hotel.
Kubrick had never shown any prior interest in horror, even declining to direct “The Exorcist.” His filmography reflects a fascination with the male psyche, often exploring themes of control, war, violence, and sex. “The Shining” both departs from and reinforces these themes. While initially considered one of the scariest films ever, modern audiences appreciate its nuanced tension and dread, rather than typical horror tropes. Kubrick’s focus on psychological horror, combined with his genre-hopping tendencies, explains why he never returned to horror.[1]
Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In, 2008)
Tomas Alfredson’s filmography is diverse, including Swedish indie comedies, a major studio success, a flop, and the singular horror film, “Let the Right One In.”
Adapted from John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel, “Let the Right One In” is set in a Stockholm suburb and presents a contemporary vampire romance. This breakout hit garnered international acclaim, hailed as one of the best vampire movies ever made, and put “Twilight” to shame.
Despite its success, Alfredson didn’t pursue further horror projects. His passion for the project stemmed from the protagonist Oskar’s human struggles, not the horror elements. Although he was open to another horror film if the right script emerged, it never materialized.[2]
James Gunn (Slither, 2006)
James Gunn is now celebrated for his blockbuster superhero films like “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Suicide Squad.” However, his earlier works, including his directorial debut with “Slither,” are sometimes overlooked.
After writing the live-action “Scooby Doo” movies, Gunn directed “Slither,” a B-movie homage that failed to recoup its budget at the box office. Although he continued to write horror, he hasn’t directed another, largely due to the initial negative reception of “Slither.”
While “Slither” has gained a cult following, its box office failure was compounded by scathing reviews. Critics like Roger Ebert panned the film, and Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter suggested it “killed off the horror-comedy genre for the near future.”[3]
Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, 1991)
Jonathan Demme, known for films like “Philadelphia” and “Rachel Getting Married,” directed the psychological horror classic “Silence of the Lambs.”
Demme stepped in after original director Gene Hackman left due to scheduling conflicts. Diverging from his previous action comedies and concert films, Demme, along with Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, brought Hannibal Lecter to the screen. The film won five Academy Awards, setting a new standard for prestige horror.
Despite the film’s success, Demme was put off by the sequel. Following the publication of Thomas Harris’s sequel, “Hannibal,” Foster, Demme, and screenwriter Ted Tally declined to participate, finding the book’s content too disturbing.[4]
David Fincher (Alien 3, 1992)
David Fincher’s career has largely focused on high-tension thrillers and dramas, such as “The Game,” “Gone Girl,” and “The Social Network.” He has avoided horror since his tumultuous debut with “Alien 3.”
The film was plagued by issues due to interference from producers who sought to capitalize on the “Alien” franchise. Fincher, a young director with experience in music videos, was hired.
The attempt to control Fincher backfired. His perfectionist approach led to clashes with the producers, resulting in a film that satisfied no one. “Alien 3” set a precedent of strife, leading Fincher to disown the movie and never return to horror.[5]
Stephen King (Maximum Overdrive, 1986)
Stephen King, a horror icon, adapted his own story for the screen with “Maximum Overdrive.”
“Maximum Overdrive” depicts Earth’s machines turning sentient and initiating a global killing spree. Despite a fun premise, the film was a critical and commercial failure. King’s inexperience in filmmaking, including camera positioning, directing actors, and creating compelling scenes, contributed to the disaster. He even endangered his cinematographer.
Since then, King has sworn off directing, making “Maximum Overdrive” his only film. He has, however, appeared in adaptations of his work, such as a cameo in “It Chapter Two.”[6]
Kathryn Bigelow (Near Dark, 1987)
Kathryn Bigelow, known for action-dramas like “The Loveless” and “Detroit,” directed the neo-Western supernatural horror film “Near Dark.”
“Near Dark,” a vampire flick about a young farmer involved with a family of undead outlaws, was overshadowed by “The Lost Boys.” Although it has gained cult status, Bigelow’s foray into horror was driven by a desire to defy convention and create something new, fusing horror with the Western genre.
Bigelow’s lack of significant motivation to make horror led her to pursue other genres, never returning to the horror realm.[7]
Steven Soderbergh (Unsane, 2018)
The low-budget horror film “Unsane” stands out in Steven Soderbergh’s filmography, known for works like “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Magic Mike.” Shot on an iPhone 7, “Unsane” tells the story of a woman detained in a psychiatric facility with her alleged stalker, questioning her sanity and a potential conspiracy.
Soderbergh aimed to create something genuinely different, even attempting to remove his name from the film to allow audiences to experience it authentically. While he remains open to returning to horror, he has yet to do so.[8]
Gus Van Sant (Psycho, 1998)
Gus Van Sant, known for experimental films, remade Alfred Hitchcock’s horror classic “Psycho.”
Starring Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates, Van Sant’s shot-for-shot remake aimed to bring “Psycho” into color and explore untouched cinematic territory. The film’s popularity was secondary to Van Sant’s desire to experiment with and rejuvenate an iconic film.
Van Sant hasn’t made another horror film since 1998, and his naturalistic filmmaking style suggests he likely won’t return to the genre.[9]
Robert Altman (Images, 1972)
Robert Altman’s films typically emphasize realism over narrative. However, in “Images,” his only horror film, he creates an obsessive focus on its subject, Cathryn, a children’s author whose hallucinations come to life.
Inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s “Persona,” Altman penned “Images” as a response. The film is unsettling, defying typical storytelling conventions and expectations of time, place, and person.
Altman never returned to the horror genre, making “Images” a curious and significant oddity in his filmography.[10]
These directors each left a unique mark on the horror genre with a single film. Their reasons for not returning vary, from personal disinterest to critical backlash, but their one-time contributions remain noteworthy.
Which of these films is your favorite? Leave your comment below!
