I’ve been fascinated by cursed objects ever since my mother first scared me with stories about those paintings of crying children who would supposedly survive raging fires while the house burned around them. Although I later learned that most of these stories are nothing more than urban legends, I still feel strangely drawn to stories where evil takes a more abstract form.

And in honor of Damian Mc Carthys curiosity Taking the idea of ​​cursed objects to the next level, as the film unleashes terror from its protagonist’s cabinet of curiosities, we decided to compile a list of six of the scariest cursed objects in the horror media world.

For this list, we’ll avoid haunted dolls like Chucky and Annabelle, as I think the article will be much more entertaining if we focus on non-human objects that pose a more abstract threat. And although it’s not on the list, I’d like to mention Stephen King’s book: The Manglerbecause I think the short story is a great example of how scary these Things can be.

Don’t forget to leave us your own cursed favorites in the comments below if you think we missed a particularly scary movie.

Now to the list…

6. Psychic television – Annabelle comes home (2019)

Personally, I enjoyed the third installment in Annabelle’s solo franchise, but I understand that the cheesy tone of the film may not be for everyone. Still, even the harshest critics would have to admit that the film’s decision to use a whole legion of cursed objects as Annabelle’s minions was a stroke of genius. And of the entire collection, my personal favorite was the psychic television set.

Possibly inspired by the real-life Conjuring Mirror, which is actually located in the Warrens’ haunted museum, this eerie device can somehow see 15 seconds into the future, play a recording of the viewer, and, in a deliciously existential twist, force them to face their (usually horrific) fate.

Honestly, I would love to see a whole movie about a cursed TV that drives its owners insane, as I think that’s a much more original idea than a mere cursed doll.

5. The VHS cassette – Ringu (1998)

You can’t talk about cursed objects without mentioning the iconic videotape of Ringuand there’s a good reason for that. A prime example of J-horror, the idea that the medium through which you enjoy scary movies can itself be a source of terror is a brilliant addition to the genre – especially when it’s accompanied by nightmarish imagery that burns itself into your brain.

Still, I like the original film’s suggestion that the tape is the result of a bizarre mutation of the smallpox virus combined with Sadako’s sinister DNA much better than the American remake’s more direct interpretation that it’s a traditional supernatural curse.

4. The Dibbuk Box – The property (2012)

I find it baffling that there have only been a handful of films about the legend of the Dybbuk Box. Whether or not you believe the horror story that became an eBay listing, you have to admit that the idea of ​​a seemingly harmless household object being the source of unstoppable evil is undoubtedly an interesting premise for a film.

Fortunately, there is at least one film that tries to do justice to the story, and that is the underrated The property. While it’s not quite as terrifying as the original legend (due largely to excessive cinematic exaggerations lifted from existing films), it’s still a damn creepy spectacle that dares to explore a non-Christian form of demonology.

3. The painting – Portrait of God (2022)

As I mentioned before, I am a fan of cursed paintings, so I want to break with tradition by featuring an object from an online short film on this list. Dylan Clark’s Portrait of God is a low-budget YouTube video that only lasts a few minutes, but I guarantee it will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Inspired by other iconic stories about cursed media (like The King in Yellow And Antrum), this brief nightmare introduces the viewer to a painting so haunting that a mere photograph of it is enough to send the viewer into a terrifying spiritual awakening. If it were up to me, this film would have already been expanded into a big-budget feature film.

2. The embalmed hand – Talk to me (2022)

Danny and Michael Philippous Talk to me took the world by storm with its unexpectedly fresh take on ghostly apparitions, and much of its success is thanks to the film’s introduction of a new and memorable cursed object. Part sinister arts and crafts project, part addiction metaphor, the embalmed hand has since become a staple of cheap Halloween decorations – and for good reason.

In fact, the directing duo is already hard at work on a sequel that will likely shed more light on the origins of that iconic little hand, although I would appreciate it if they left the details enigmatically vague. Of course, “Talk to me” will not be released until after the filmmakers’ next project, the upcoming A24 film Bring them back.

1. The Lasser Glass – Oculus (2014)

Mike Flanagan may be a household name because of his incredible streaming shows, but it’s really his underrated films that made me a fan. Doctor Sleep To silenceMy favorite production by Flanagan is the incredibly disturbing Oculus – a perfect example of horror with cursed objects.

It follows a traumatized brother and sister as they confront the evil mirror that ruined their lives. Oculus uses subtle mind games and altered perspectives while proving that the secret to making the audience fear for your characters is to friendly.

curiosity is now available as a digital at-home version.