10 horror hidden gems on Netflix

5. The Devil’s Candy

The devil’s in the details for artist and metal music enthusiast Jesse Hellman, who moves to a new house with his wife and daughter while trying to make a go of it with his art. Due to some underhanded subterfuge by the real estate agent, Jesse’s family has no idea that the house they’ve moved into was the site of a recent and violent double-murder, with the killer still on the loose. Shortly after moving in Jesse struggles to continue a bland commissioned painting for a bank—but instead slips into a fugue state and starts painting increasingly disturbing images of upside-down crosses. As a metal fan, this isn’t totally out of character.

Meanwhile, murderer and previous tenant of the house Raymond Smile is hiding out in a motel, wailing on his Flying V guitar while listening to sermons about the prevalence of the devil. It’s only when he’s made to stop playing that the real trouble begins. Raymond soon begins showing up at Jesse’s house and talking to his young daughter, and as Jesse gets sucked deeper and deeper into the nightmarish paintings he feels compelled to make, he’s less able to fight the same influence that Raymond has already succumbed to.

The use of music and the macabre as a coping mechanism for evil rather than a result of it is refreshing. Jesse and his daughter bond over metal, and their relationship is the beating heart of this horror movie. The Devil’s Candy is a well-crafted family story that will have your heart pounding out of your chest by the end of its run-time.