13 Gripping Psychological Horror Movies Streaming on Hulu

If psychological horror movies on Hulu are your thing, you know great cinema is about more than just scares. Our list focuses on films that challenge convention, blending bold storytelling, raw emotion, and striking visuals.

We highlight independent and international voices you might not find elsewhere, so you can skip the blockbusters and experience a lineup that’s as original and unsettling as independent film gets.

1. Black Swan

Here’s where to start if you crave a psychological horror experience that is both unsettling and artfully executed. Aronofsky's Black Swan turns ballet into a battlefield of identity, paranoia, and ambition.

• What sets it apart: Delivers an unflinching portrayal of obsession and self-destruction, anchored by Natalie Portman’s Oscar-winning performance.

• Proof point: Featured in countless critics’ top 10 lists and lauded for its use of unreliable narration, intense symbolism, and visual storytelling.

• Ideal for: Fans of movies where reality fractures and the protagonist’s psyche unravels, leaving every moment packed with tension.

Portman’s disciplined method acting and the raw, nightmarish set pieces make you feel each crack in her character. The mirror scenes alone—chilling, unforgettable—capture mental fragmentation in a way only the boldest indie minds can appreciate.

The audience’s perception breaks with the character, demanding active, critical viewing to uncover what is real.

2. Control Freak

Ready to step outside the bounds of traditional horror? Control Freak draws from trauma, cultural identity, and supernatural terror, blending them with indie precision for an experience Hulu rarely offers anywhere else.

The itch—relentless, disturbing—serves as both a literal and psychological trigger tied to a deeper family trauma and a demon rooted in the character’s heritage. This is horror with intent.

• Result: A discomforting, slow-building dread that lingers and challenges, exposing viewers to the raw, metaphorical connection between psychological wounds and cultural storytelling.

• Best for: Audiences craving fresh, culturally specific supernatural elements—ants and all—delivered with a modern indie twist.

• Proof of impact: Praised for immersive sound and visual cues that make you feel the character’s internal prison.

You don’t just watch Control Freak. You endure it. Each revelation peels back more layers—emotional, cultural, supernatural. Hulu Originals bring films like this to audiences who demand something other than recycled scares.

3. The Night House

Want to be challenged? The Night House is horror that doesn’t spoon-feed, set in a lake house suffocating under secrets and loss. Rebecca Hall’s portrayal of grief—raw, spiraling, absolutely magnetic—drives the story.

This isn’t just about ghosts. It’s about questioning every shadow. Every memory. Every late-night sound. The reality bends as tightly as the protagonist’s own mental state.

• Demands your attention with an oppressive atmosphere that makes you second-guess your own conclusions.

• Praised by genre experts for ambiguity—no easy answers, just layers of possible truth.

• If you want cerebral horror that rewards attention and values emotional complexity, this is the one.

Deliberate use of mirrors, negative space, and non-linear plot points force you to reflect on what horror actually is: uncertainty, grief, and the fear it breeds.

4. Cobweb

For anyone who thrives on atmosphere and subtext, Cobweb is a masterclass in less-is-more indie terror. This movie doesn’t rely on cheap tricks.

Instead, it traps you in tight spaces with a bullied child and the creeping suspicion that something monstrous hides close to home. The lighting and set design evoke German Expressionism, adding a unique visual signature.

• Unmasks primal fear by focusing on family secrets and letting the audience uncover dread in real time.

• Fits indie sensibilities with a script refined through the prestigious Black List, resulting in strong story beats over spectacle.

• Best for: Viewers who crave atmospheric scares and stripped-down psychological unease.

Unsettling sound and light work together, giving voice and shape to internal fears of childhood and trust.

5. Orphan

Looking for a slow-burn, family-centered horror with a genuinely shocking twist? Orphan delivers. Nothing in this film is surface level—every relationship is layered, every glance pregnant with unspoken dread.

The film’s iconic twist is the kind of subversion indie fans celebrate—an ending analyzed and debated in film studies and forums again and again.

• Explores the horror of misread motivations and identity, pushing you to examine how trauma hides in plain sight.

• Ideal for those who seek stories that unravel disturbing mysteries at a deliberately calculated pace.

• Proof point: Inspired a prequel and prompted discussion on family secrets, psychological disorders, and how indie horror can shake an audience’s assumptions.

The color palette, the set design—both add up to creeping instability long before the mask comes off.

Identity and family can be a volatile mix—indie storytellers know that’s the best fuel for psychological horror.

6. Oddity

Here’s a gift for those who want unconventional horror that is both fresh and emotional. Oddity features a blind occultist surrounded by haunted artifacts, seeking justice for her twin.

Sound carries as much terror as sights in this indie standout. The protagonist’s perspective—sensory deprivation—heightens every twist and jump.

• Brings creative, indie solutions to old tropes, letting sound design and raw human emotion take center stage.

• Appeals to fans looking for unique, innovative narrative structure and the authenticity of indie festival favorites.

• Recognition: Earned acclaim from horror circuit awards, bringing attention to stories the mainstream would leave behind.

Instead of big-budget effects, it delivers fear using close-ups, tactile tension, and a story form that asks you—not tells you—what matters most.

7. Immaculate

If you gravitate toward chilling explorations of faith and paranoia, Immaculate gives you a space where religious trauma isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the main threat. Sydney Sweeney holds your focus from start to finish.

Slow burns reward patience. This movie’s iconography, oppressive atmosphere, and commentary on isolation weave together into a psychological crisis you can’t ignore.

• Uses religious setting for psychological manipulation, exploring female autonomy and power in patriarchal systems.

• Ideal for: Viewers who want spiritual and moral ambiguity, where the true horror might be in the silence between prayers.

• Acclaim: Consistently compared to genre-defining classics, but from a female-driven, indie perspective.

Every stained-glass shadow, every ritual, becomes a clue—or a warning.

8. Mr. Crocket

Seeking something rooted in today’s world? Mr. Crocket combines urban legend with modern anxieties. A mother battles a demonic children’s TV host in a film that started as a Bite Size Halloween short—proving indie innovation drives discovery.

• Unmasks how media culture can become both comfort and threat, especially to parents who fear for their children’s well-being.

• Delivers satire alongside supernatural horror, appealing to audiences who want their indie horror to ask big, uncomfortable questions.

• Proof point: Expansion from short to feature builds on Hulu’s track record for leveraging indie concepts into broader releases.

By blending self-referential twists and modern folklore, Mr. Crocket hooks you with every frame. It is not just entertainment—it’s a challenge for you to rethink how far-reaching horror, and storytelling, can be.

9. You Are Not My Mother

Folk horror jumps to another level with You Are Not My Mother. This is for you if you want horror that pulls no punches when dealing with family dysfunction, folklore, and generational trauma. Anchored by Irish culture, the film offers a raw take on changeling legends, blending the supernatural with social realism.

• Connects ancient myths to real-world struggles—mental health, alienation, coming-of-age anxiety—making every scene echo with deeper meaning.

• Shines through grounded performances and an autumnal, lived-in setting that’s both unique and universal.

• Perfect for fans craving indie films that twist folklore with gritty family drama.

Witness how twisted rituals, subtle cues, and everyday pain create an atmosphere that never lets up.

The best psychological horror draws power from the shadows of our own beliefs and backgrounds.

10. Infinity Pool

Step into wild territory. Infinity Pool takes privilege, hedonism, and self-destruction and turns them up to eleven. Brandon Cronenberg’s vision is both mind-bending and confrontational—ideal for you if traditional horror feels bland.

You’ll face body doubles, blurred realities, and a bold critique of how tourism and morality collide under pressure.

• Shocks with fragmented, surreal visuals and ideas that stick with you well after the credits.

• Challenges you to question what lines you would—or wouldn't—cross in the pursuit of escape.

• Best suited for viewers who want indie horror that courts controversy and upends comfort zones.

Here, horror isn’t just about the monster. It’s about the very real danger of losing yourself.

11. Piggy

With Piggy, the pain of bullying and social cruelty morphs into something dark and unstoppable. The film, expanded from an indie short, lets you walk in the shoes of an outsider forced to reckon with revenge and self-image.

• Fearlessly confronts body shaming, power, and isolation with scenes that cut deep—no gloss, just grit.

• You’ll see why authentic social commentary matters more than jump scares in indie storytelling.

• Practical proof: Earned acclaim for its character-driven horror and unapologetic focus on transformation.

Want a film that exposes raw nerves and flips sympathy on its head? Start here.

12. The Grudge (2004)

The Grudge redefined international horror for many U.S. viewers. But what makes it crucial is how it reinterprets a classic Japanese curse for a Western audience—without losing that icy psychological edge.

The horror grows not from gore, but from what you can’t predict or explain. The film’s use of non-linear storytelling and relentless dread create a thick atmosphere that makes ordinary spaces terrifying.

• Masterfully adapts Japanese horror techniques—anticipation, ambiguity, oppressive suspense—for a new generation.

• Perfect fit for those drawn to psychological horror that uses structure, silence, and cultural context to shake you, not just to startle you.

• Proof: Sparked a franchise and led the J-horror wave outside of Japan.

You want horror that lingers? This delivers exactly that—one curse at a time.

13. The First Omen

If you crave slow, simmering dread, The First Omen is essential. The prequel peels back the origins of evil using layered storytelling. Trust is always uncertain, authority always suspect.

Every frame builds moral ambiguity and escalating paranoia—a true hallmark of indie psychological horror.

• Delivers tightly wound tension rather than easy answers, appealing to thoughtful horror fans.

• Renewed an established franchise by daring to focus on existential and psychological fears.

• Best for those who want horror that grows inside their minds, not just on screen.

Watch as paranoia and ancient fears turn faith into a battleground.

Essential Traits of Independent Psychological Horror on Hulu

Independent horror movies on Hulu break away from formula. If you love films that dig into mental states, blur reality, and push for authenticity, you’ll find these titles rewarding. We value new voices and honest stories over slick, hollow spectacle.

Here’s what you get from this approach:

• Deeper dives into trauma, cultural myths, and fractured identity for real emotional impact.

• Emphasis on visual cues and minimalism—so every shot matters.

• Stories with ambiguity and incomplete answers, putting you in the role of detective.

• A showcase of underrepresented creators and festival highlights that mainstream channels miss.

Indie horror lets you experience discomfort and discovery by focusing on character first.

Indie psychological horror delivers meaning, suspense, and challenge—far from ordinary, always authentic.

What Sets Psychological Horror Movies on Hulu Apart?

You want access to films that don’t play by the rules. Hulu leans into indie originals, strong festival imports, and unique perspectives—making space for boundary-pushing storytelling.

Key benefits for independent film fans:

• Frequent debuts from first-timers and bold storytellers, so you get real creative freedom.

• Diverse perspectives from international and independent backgrounds.

• Broad selections that don’t recycle horror tropes or stories.

• Prime access to titles skipped by wide release, with better curation for the indie audience.

Find your next psychological obsession where innovation leads, not follows the pack.

How to Curate Your Own Psychological Horror Lineup on Hulu

It’s about more than just clicking play. Building a strong lineup starts with you.

• Seek films with praise for originality or a festival track record.

• Dig into sub-genres—folk, family, international—to uncover new favorites.

• Use watchlists, take notes, join group viewings. Don’t settle, seek out discussion.

• Map out what resonates: unreliable narration, trauma, blurred reality.

• Share and compare recommendations with others—it drives discovery and insight.

When you approach viewing like active research, every film becomes a richer experience.

Conclusion

Every psychological horror movie on Hulu we’ve highlighted brings raw emotion, originality, and a chance for you to dig deeper than ever before.

Independent films aren’t background noise—they’re a call to question, confront, and reimagine what horror should be. Browse, explore, and embrace the stories that challenge you most.

Stale scares don’t last. Meaning does. Keep seeking the unexpected. We’ll be right there with you on every frame.