Bad Romances – 10 Horror Movies With Murderous Couples Ranked

Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are going to be looking at Bad Romances – 10 Horror Movies With Murderous Couples Ranked.

Killer Couples Killing Couples… And Others

Each of the movies listed here places the spotlight on vicious killer couples hell bent on ruining everyone else’s day. Despite how interesting of a concept the whole murderous couples thing is, it’s just not all that common in horror. You really don’t see that many movies that follow this topic which is a crying shame, to be honest. It also makes putting together an interesting list a little bit difficult but we managed it.

We have a nice mix of movies here from some absolute horror classics to some lesser known, more modern movies. There’s something for everyone so sit back, relax, and celebrate romance in the only way a true horror fan should – n front of the television, binging movies.

If you absolutely hate Valentine’s Day, why not check out our brand new list of 10 Anti Valentine’s Day Horror Movies Ranked? This list features ten movies that focus on the bad side of love for those of you who just need a break from the saccharin bullshit. Or if you so happen to be a Valentine’s Day lover, take a look at our list of 10 Romantic Horror Movies Perfect For Valentine’s Day Viewing – Ranked.

💀 At a Glance: Top 5 Deadly Duos

10. Hosts (2020) – Possessed Partners

The Killer Dynamic: It follows a young couple becoming possessed by something otherworldly before subjecting their friends to a vicious and sustained campaign of brutality. Hosts has a few genuinely shocking moments, one of which is in fairly bad taste but will probably stay with you.

Knockout Verdict: Dinner is served… cold.

I’m going to level with you, I was not a big fan of this indie horror coming by way of British YouTubers Adam Leader and Richard Oakes. Hosts just didn’t do very much for me but it does have a few fans out there. It’s a sci-fi horror set over Christmas.

It also puts a bit of a different spin on the “killer couple” formula. Worth checking out but don’t get it confused with the far superior Screenlife horror movie Host, also from 2020. We awarded Hosts 1.8/5 in our review.

9. Fractured (2016) – Getaway Gone Wrong

The Killer Dynamic: Saying too much about Fractured would be spoiling its plot, but it is fair to point out that it most definitely follows the theme of this list. It features an interesting twist and does just enough to keep you engaged. It features a murderous couple on a rampage as you will find out about half way through.

Knockout Verdict: Don’t look back.

We have another British horror movie here in 2016’s Fractured by Jamie Patterson. Young couple Michael and Rebecca are heading out into the countryside of England for a relaxing getaway. Only to realise they are seemingly being stalked by an unidentified person or persons.

This one leans a bit more into the “thriller” side of things than horror but it is still a satisfying watch, despite the lack of scares. It’s also jam packed with former soap opera stars who should be recognisable to Brits. We gave Fractured a 3/5 in our review. I found this one to be quite enjoyable, despite some of its flaws such as the piss poor script.

8. Bride of Chucky (1998) – Made for Each Other

The Killer Dynamic: Naturally, it’s the killer couple of Chucky and Tiffany. The lovers cause havock as they attempt to recover the Heart of Damballa buried with Chucky’s body so that they can become human again.

Knockout Verdict: Plastic fantastic.

Is there a more iconic couple in the entirety of horror than Chucky and Tiffany? Probably, but Chucky and Tiffany are pretty awesome as well and they raised hell together in 1998’s Bride of Chucky. Featuring an all star cast that includes Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Katherine Heigl and the late John Ritter. Bride of Chucky sees the eponymous crazed toy reunited with his love Tiffany after he manages to kill her and transport her soul into a doll.

Bride of Chucky leans way more into humour than the previous films and is incredibly self aware, almost bordering on parody. You could also throw in 2004’s Seed of Chucky here if you want to see what the pair do next. It’s a lot of fun, though, and worth a watch.

7. A Perfect Getaway (2009) – Paradise Lost

The Killer Dynamic: Two couples teaming up for holiday fun? You just know that one of them is going to be murderous, right?

Knockout Verdict: Aloha means goodbye.

Milla Jovovich heads up the cast here in this horror, thriller, about a couple heading to Hawaii for a holiday. While there, they meet another couple and group up. Tensions rise when the group learn of a double homicide and it becomes clear that the killers may be closer than they all realise. A Perfect Getaway isn’t the most in depth or complicated movie on this list. It doesn’t have the deepest story or a significant message. It’s simply good, old fashioned, cat and mouse, slasher fun.

High octane and very violent in parts. This is a genuinely enjoyable movie that makes for a great option when you want to switch your brain off and have fun. The killer couple are relentless and the thrills and spills come fast and furious.

6. Alleluia (2014) – Obsessive Love

The Killer Dynamic: Alleluia is loosely based on the true story of Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck, better known as The Lonely Hearts Killers. What more do we need to say?

Knockout Verdict: Jealousy kills.

Single mother and morgue worker Gloria finds herself getting far too involved with conman Michel in this French/Belgian collaboration from 2014. Michel seduces women and Gloria is all too happy to help him in his schemes, despite finding herself becoming wickedly jealous, leading to horrific results. The teaming up of these two lunatics obviously leads to some vicious slayings which easily earns them a place on this list.

It does a great job bringing the 1940’s case to the modern era. It’s witty in parts and genuinely quite nasty while also managing to be pretty enjoyable throughout. A nice option if you are looking for something a little different.

5. Hellraiser (1987) – Pain and Pleasure

The Killer Dynamic: It’s the killer couple Frank and Julia, played by Sean Chapman and Clare Higgins, that we are interested in here. Julia’s need to commit grizzly murder after grizzly murder to bring back the love of her life is what makes Hellraiser such a captivating watch. Putting a twisted spin on the concept of doing anything for the person you love.

Knockout Verdict: Love hurts… literally.

The story follows a woman who moves with her husband back into his childhood home. While there, she finds the partly reconstructed body of her former lover Frank in the attic. He tells her to bring him victims so that he can rebuild his body. She obliges, a decisions that will greatly anger the group of demons he escaped from.

Clive Barker’s fantastic 1987 horror hit Hellraiser launched an icon in the form of the Cenobite Pinhead and remains a great movie to this day. Barker took a big risk with his S&M focused story and slow, brooding, pace and Hellraiser divides audiences even now. But it’s hard to ignore just what an important movie it was and how different it feels from the legion of slashers doing the rounds in the 80s. It’s fantastic stuff and worth checking out. We awarded Hellraiser 4/5 in our review.

4. Us (2019) – Seeing Double

The Killer Dynamic: We have not so much a couple but more like an entire family in our next movie. Couple Addy and Gabe are haunted by their murderous doppelgangers as they head out to the lake on a vacation in this psychological horror movie with a message.

Knockout Verdict: We are our own worst enemy.

Jordan Peele’s Us from 2019 was Peele exorcising his frustrations over the genre confusion surrounding his previous film. Proving that he could make an all out horror movie with no ambiguity. His story of a group of doubles living in horrid conditions underground terrified millions of viewers.

Peele takes some risks with Us and, for the most part, they pay off tremendously. It’s an unsettling movie that received widespread critical acclaim. It’s not one of my favourite horror movies of all time and, being completely honest, I found myself a little disappointed and underwhelmed. But loads of people love it so don’t take my word for it, check it out.

3. Hounds of Love (2016) – Captive Audience

The Killer Dynamic: It’s based on the real life case of killer couple Catherine and David Birnie who would kidnap and torture young girls together.

Knockout Verdict: Cruelty has a home.

We are off to Australia next for this ultra brutal, crime, horror film. Hounds of love follows the story of young teen Vicki finding herself at the mercy of murderous lovers John and Evelyn White in this grim, affecting movie from Ben Young.

Hounds of Love falls very much into that mould of brilliant Aussie horror that is just a little depressing and just a little bleak. It’s gritty and realistic, staying with you long after you are done watching. It is still essential viewing, though, and deserves special praise for the fantastic acting and general nastiness. Not a fun movie by any stretch but definitely a great one.

2. The People Under the Stairs (1991) – Home Sweet Home

The Killer Dynamic: Man and Woman – the BDSM loving couple who lock children up in their basement and put their daughter through living hell.

Knockout Verdict: Don’t go in the basement.

Wes Craven directs in this absolute classic from 1991. The People Under The Stairs follows young burglar “Fool” and his two adult accomplices as they get locked in a house while attempting to steal the owner’s possessions. Little do they realise that the couple who live there are maniacal lunatics that enjoy nothing more than whips, chains, leather and locking up people in their basement. What makes it even more compelling is that Wes Craven actually based it on a real life case of a burglar who discovered children locked up in the basement of a house he broke in to.

I’ve loved this movie from the very first time I watched it years ago. It’s simply great fun and actually manages to be quite tense in parts. The People Under The Stairs has a wicked mix of humour and socially aware commentary that makes it feel relevant even to this day. Man and Woman are legitimately unsettling and that makes for some seriously tense moments as Fool and Alice try to escape the home.

1. Get Out (2017) – Meet the Parents

The Killer Dynamic: We have more Jordan Peele and more murderous families next but it is the unsettling couple Missy and Dean that we want to focus on in Get Out from 2017. Taking their obsession to frightening levels that make for some legitimately horrifying moments.

Knockout Verdict: Sink into the floor.

Taking a poke at a whole new generation of racism that comes by way of Liberal Americans. Peele’s first crack at Psychological horror is both clever and relevant. Managing to be both unsettling and legitimately comedic in parts. It follows a young black man who heads to the home of his white girlfriend with no small degree of trepidation. She tells him not to worry because they are far from racist but the reality he finds is even more horrifying than he could have imagined.

Missy and Dean are the murderous couple here and they have more than just a passing fascination with President Obama, and African American culture as a whole. Get Out is an absolutely fantastic horror that took everyone by surprise. Awesome stuff and a must watch if you haven’t already seen it. We awarded Get Out 4 our of 5 in our review.

Couples Who Slay Together…

And there you have it, 10 couples who definitely took “till death do us part” a little too literally. Whether they are bonding over a shared love of torture, protecting their suburban secrets, or just trying to get a new body for their doll boyfriend, these pairs prove that love makes you do crazy things. Maybe stick to chocolates and flowers this year, yeah?

If you need a palette cleanser after all that toxicity, check out our list of 10 Romantic Horror Movies. Or, if you want to double down on the hate, head over to the Anti-Valentine’s Day list. Why not stick around? You can always check out some horror reviews, some horror ending explained articles or some horror lists? Take care and I will, hopefully, see you again soon.

💍 Quick Picks: The Best Killer Couple Horror Movies by Vibe

The “Power Couple” Pick: Get Out (2017)
For when you want psychological horror. Missy and Dean Armitage prove that a tea cup is mightier than the sword (and far more terrifying).

The “Toxic” Pick: Hounds of Love (2016)
For when you want true crime grit. A devastating look at a codependent relationship fueling a spree of abductions in Australian suburbia.

The “Fun” Pick: Bride of Chucky (1998)
For when you want a laugh. Chucky and Tiffany are the plastic Bonnie and Clyde. It’s campy, bloody, and surprisingly romantic.

The “Obsessive” Pick: Hellraiser (1987)
For when you want gore. Julia will do anything for Frank, including hammering strangers to death to rebuild his skinless body.

The “Twisted” Pick: The People Under the Stairs (1991)
For when you want satire. Mommy and Daddy Robeson are the ultimate landlords from hell, hoarding money and people in equal measure.

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