The 2019 Blumhouse horror film Sweetheart stars Kiersey Clemons (Hearts Beat Loud) Emory Cohen (The Place Beyond the Pines), Hanna Mangan-Lawrence (Spartacus: Vengeance), and Andrew Crawford (Alien: Covenant). It concerns a survivor of a boat accident washing ashore a supposedly deserted island. Soon, she realizes she’s not alone—others have been there before her.
To make things more complicated in Sweetheart, the film’s protagonist is being hunted by someone — or something — on the island. A predator bides its time, waiting for night to fall so it can catch its prey.
For anyone who enjoyed Sweetheart, here are ten other island-set, horror movies you might enjoy.
Prey (2019)
After his father is murdered during a senseless crime, Toby (Logan Miller) develops social issues that cause him to be placed in a rehabilitation program with other traumatized teens. As part of his therapy, he is left to survive on his own on an empty island for a few days. Toby then learns there are other inhabitants on the island—including a savage monster.
Also a Blumhouse production, this similar yet quite different horror movie was directed by Franck Khalfoun, who is best known for the 2012 remake of Maniac and P2. Prey also stars Kristine Froseth, who is in Netflix’s TV series Society and the Dan Stevens-led folk-horror movie Apostle.
Black Rock (2012)
A very human kind of predator prowls in Black Rock. Three friends reunite for a weekend away on a remote island off the coast of Maine. During the camping trip, the women encounter male veterans looking for some company. Everything seems to be going well until one man gets rough with one of them. One thing leads to another and someone dies. This leaves the women to fend for themselves as the victim’s party retaliates.
This 2012 movie stars Katie Aselton (The League), who also directed the movie. Her co-stars are Kate Bosworth (Blue Crush) and Lake Bell (In a World…). Reviews were mixed, but some applauded the movie’s message about sexual assault.
Humongous (1982)
A terrible crime gave way to a ferocious killer some years later. And, said individual is discovered by a group of friends who later get shipwrecked on an empty island. Well, they thought it was empty. As they seek help, the party encounters a disfigured man with a penchant for brutal, bloody murder.
Paul Lynch is regarded for the Jamie Lee Curtis slasher Prom Night, which has become a classic since its 1980 release. His horror follow-up Humongous did not receive the same accolades. In fact, it’s disregarded by many fans and critics. It’s another slasher, but a common complaint, aside from a sheer lack of originality, is the movie keeping its villain in the dark—literally. Though, if you have seen the killer in full light, you understand why the director kept his appearances to a minimum.
Nymph (2014)
Two friends visiting Montenegro boat to Mamula, a military fortress built atop an island. While there, they quickly learn the place isn’t abandoned after all. Someone else is there, and they’re going to go to extremes to keep the place’s dark, underground secret hidden.
This Serbian horror-fantasy (also known as Mamula or Killer Mermaid) is unique, but it’s not highly revered otherwise. Nymph’s scenery is applauded by many, though.
Matango (1963)
Toho is recognized for its Godzilla franchise, but they had the occasional one-offs like Matango (also known as Attack of the Mushroom People) that did not include any giant monsters (daikaijū). In this 1963 film, several partygoers get stuck on a forsaken island with little to no chance of finding a way home. The longer they stay there, they become affected by the local fungi, which is otherworldly, to say the least.
Matango could be classified as a body-horror movie. It taps into the fear of losing control over one’s body in the worst way possible.
After Dusk They Come (2009)
Friends marooned on an empty island find themselves hunted by the indigenous inhabitants, who are really ancient monsters thirsting for blood and sacrifice.
After Dusk They Come is not the original name of this movie. It was once called The Forgotten Ones before it was retitled The Tribe. Then, when the filmmakers were not at all pleased with the finished product, they completely remade the movie with a new cast. The second film cast Emily Baldoni née Foxler. In real life, she’s now married to Justin Baldoni, who starred in the first version. Despite some praise for the monster designs, the remake, The Lost Tribe, was mostly panned, too. In some regions, the first movie was retitled After Dusk They Come, possibly to capitalize on star Kellan Lutz’s role in Twilight.
Mindhunters (2004)
For their final exercise, FBI profilers-in-training are shipped off to a small island off the coast of North Carolina. Once they get there, they trigger a series of fatal and intricate traps laid out for every one of them. As the bodies hit the floor, paranoia seeps in. One of them is the killer—but who?
This fast-paced movie’s overstylized look is thanks to its director, Renny Harlin. His filmography includes The Long Kiss Goodnight and Deep Blue Sea. The cast is familiar, and the death scenes are inspired by serial killer horror and slashers. There is also a notable hint of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
Slaughterhouse Rock (1988)
A man is plagued by prophetic dreams in this 1988 horror movie. Eventually, he, his brother, and their friends visit the location in his dreams—Alcatraz. There, they fall victim to a wicked demon who can possess its victims. Their only hope to get out of this ordeal is to trust the helpful spirit of a fallen heavy metal singer.
Slaughterhouse Rock has the workings of a cheesy slasher, but with more of a supernatural influence like The Evil Dead. The benevolent spirit, by the way, is played by Toni Basil, whose 1982 song “Mickey” is considered a one-hit wonder.
Dagon (2001)
A man and woman end up in an old fishing village in Spain after a boating accident. As they search for help, they succumb to the power of an ancient sea deity who rules the area.
This film, directed by Stuart Gordon of Re-Animator and From Beyond fame, is loosely based on H. P. Lovecraft’s short story of the same name. The titular character is a seafaring god who governs oceanic, humanoid creatures known as the Deep Ones. Critics had mixed reactions to Dagon, but, overall, they were more drawn to its mystery and visuals than opposed.
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
Not completely over her life-or-death situation with the infamous, hooked fisherman that she and her friends were stalked by, Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) does all she can to manage her PTSD. In the meantime, she and her friend win a trip for four to the Bahamas. In due time, though, Julie learns this was all part of an elaborate, deadly trap.
After the first movie killed it at the box office, it was no surprise the studio wanted a sequel. This rushed follow-up was critically slaughtered, but it made decent dough. Flaws notwithstanding, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer does give its final girl the chance to fight for herself rather than leaving everything up to her character’s romantic interest again, who is played by Freddie Prinze, Jr.
