Onibaba
While her son, Kichi, is away at war, a woman and her daughter-in-law survive by killing samurai who stray into their swamp, then selling whatever valuables they find. Both are devastated when they learn that Kichi has died, but his wife soon begins an affair with a neighbor who survived the war, Hachi. The mother disapproves and, when she can't steal Hachi for herself, tries to scare her daughter-in-law with a mysterious mask from a dead samurai.
Onibaba uses fear, dread, and disturbing imagery (the mask, looming threat) as a key mood driver, but its primary identity is a wartime drama/psychological study of desire and guilt; horror is major but not dominant.
Best for viewers looking for a scary and atmosphere-heavy horror movie.
Movies with a similar horror experience.
