Be Careful Who You Count On – 10 Horror Movies With Toxic Friendships

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Horror’s Worst Toxic Friendships

Friendships and friend groups play a central part in many horror movies. From old classics like Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street right through to movies like Scream, and Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. It’s an incredibly common trope in horror. But what happens when those friendships turn toxic? What happens when the bonds break and the groups splinter?

Today’s list is 10 Horror Movies focusing on what happens when friendship goes wrong. These movies show the consequences of friendship falling apart. Be it through friends having to keep secrets, friends falling out over differing values or, simply, friends realising they have been deceived and the person they felt close to wasn’t exactly who they thought they were.

This is part one of a two part list so once you are done reading this, be sure to check out part two – 10 More Toxic Friendships in Horror Movies RANKED. If, on the other hand, you are looking for something all together more positive, why not check out our list of the 10 Best Friendships in Horror Movies RANKED.

📉 At a Glance: Top 5 Friendships Gone Wrong

10. Game of Death (2017) – With Friends Like These…

The Toxic Factor: The toxic friendship at play here is the entire damn group. They eventually end up in a situation where they are pitted directly against each other and they have no qualms about that in the slightest.

Knockout Verdict: Board games are dangerous.

Well, we will start with the worst movie on this list. It isn’t that 2017’s Game of Death is a terrible movie. It’s just one of those movies that feels a bit low effort and features a cast of annoying characters. A group of friends are enjoying themselves at a party after playing a board game when, suddenly, one of their friend’s heads explodes.

Confused at first, it soon becomes clear that the friends are now involved in a game of kill or be killed. Setting them off on a rampage through the town that may, eventually, pit them against each other. Game of Death’s concept is pretty interesting and it goes fairly hard on the gore but it’s just not all that great. Still, that board game design is pretty neat.

9. Unfriended (2014) – Online Bullies Beware

The Toxic Factor: Unfriended shines a light on the subject of bullying and harassment, while also pointing a finger at the plastic nature of some friend groups. The uneasiness of the relationships between the friends and the constant uncovering of secrets keeps this one quite entertaining.

Knockout Verdict: Delete your account.

Unfriended is a screenlife horror movie that felt quite novel for the time. Following the story of a group of friends meeting up on a video chat app to hang out. Only to find themselves haunted by a mystery guest that threatens to reveal the group’s secrets and tear them apart.

It is one of those movies where you can turn your brain off and just enjoy as it really doesn’t ask too much of the viewer. The friend group here are absolutely despicable, as well. We awarded Unfriended 2.8/5 in our review.

8. Coherence (2013) – Dinner Party Disaster

The Toxic Factor: The friendships at play here prove to be less than solid and just a bit toxic as each member of the dinner party attempts to rationalise what is going on while inadvertently putting their own needs first.

Knockout Verdict: Who can you trust? Not yourself.

Is this one more of a sci-fi thriller than a horror? Probably but I think there are enough horror elements here to keep fans entertained. Especially when you consider some of the psychological aspects of the story. Coherence follows a group of friends sharing a dinner party together as a comet passes. Little do they realise that the comet’s appearance will lead to a series of bizarre occurrences that threatens to fracture the group and force them to question their own, and each other’s, identities.

Director James Ward Byrkit has done a lot with a little here. Extremely low budget and featuring minimal locations, Coherence plays out like a long form episode of The Twilight Zone. With a complex and fascinating plot that isn’t let down even a single bit by the entire cast who all seem to appreciate and understand the story. This one stays with you after watching. It’s a toxic friend group with a difference, too.

7. The Invitation (2015) – The Cult Next Door

The Toxic Factor: Playing heavily on themes of bereavement and broken down relationships. The Invitation relies heavily on the paranoia and the suspicions of our protagonist, Will, to create tension. It doesn’t get much more toxic than what happens with the friend group in The Invitation.

Knockout Verdict: Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.

A group of friends hook up for a dinner date in 2016’s The Invitation. Little do the guests realise, however, that the hosts have an ulterior motive for the gathering. This is a pretty neat movie from director Karyn Kusama. Will was in a prior relationship with the dinner party host Eden. The pair endured the loss of their child which, eventually, lead to them splitting up. The person Will sees before him is not the same person she once was, prompting him to feel uneasy and increasingly nervous as the night goes on.

The entire events of the film take place in one location and over the space of a few hours. Offering up something of a unique feel to the flow of the events. This is one of those movies that begs the question “how well do you really know your friends and loved ones?”. We awarded The Invitation 3/5 in our review.

6. Sissy (2022) – Influencer Insanity

The Toxic Factor: Focusing on themes of lost friendship, bullying, and social awkwardness. Sissy is a perfect example of friendship gone wrong as Cecilia tries to overcome the sadness and anger she feels during her weekend away. Her relationship with Alex is toxic beyond belief, despite the uneasy truce between the two.

Knockout Verdict: #BestFriendsForever? Maybe not.

I jump at any chance to talk about Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes’s Australian horror comedy Sissy from 2022. Sissy follows social media influencer Cecilia as she rekindles her relationship with former best friend Emma. Invited to spend the weekend with Emma to celebrate her upcoming wedding, Sissy is shocked to discover her former bully Alex is also attending. Leading to a chain of events that will end in mayhem.

Sissy is just a whole lot of fun. Hilarious, gory, and quite shocking in parts. It’s also one of those movies that doesn’t go quite the way you might think. Very enjoyable and absolutely worth checking out. If you want to see the extreme result of toxic friendships, this is the place to do it. We awarded Sissy 3.6/5 in our review.

5. Talk to Me (2022) – Peer Pressure Possession

The Toxic Factor: If you can get past the obnoxious teens, lousy main character, and the typical horror tropes that come along with this type of movie; there is a great story here. A group of teens make contact with the dead using an embalmed hand. Addicted to the rush. one of the group takes things too far. Setting off a spiral of events that will impact everyone around her.

Knockout Verdict: Hold my hand.

We are going straight from one Aussie horror movie to another next with Talk To Me from 2022. Did anyone actually see this movie coming? It seemed like a real sleeper hit all things considered. It’s a brilliant example of toxic friendships in horror as our lead character drags everyone close to her down with her.

The whole “traumatised kid” thing is done a little too much in horror as of late but Talk to Me deserves praise for trying something new with the tired supernatural formula. Younger viewers will probably love this one. We awarded Talk to Me 3.5/5 in our review.

4. Super Dark Times (2017) – A Loss of Innocence

The Toxic Factor: Super Dark Times is one of those movies that manages to capture teenage friendship so perfectly. All while breaking it down to reveal the consequences of rejection and jealousy. It perfectly highlights just what can happen when that friendship turns toxic. Zach and Josh’s relationship completely falls to pieces in the worst way imaginable.

Knockout Verdict: Secrets destroy everything.

Super Dark Times is a little slice of small town American violence condensed into a genuinely enjoyable, often moving, package. A pair of best friends fall apart after a tragic accident leaves them with secrets and trauma that steals away their innocence. Leaving them to try to rebuild their lives against a backdrop of paranoia and resentment in this brilliant psychological thriller from Kevin Phillips.

This isn’t an action packed movie but I definitely think it is a movie that plenty of horror fans can enjoy. Plenty of people will be able to relate to the characters and Super Dark Times‘ depiction of outsider characters feels authentic and genuine. I really wish the ending was a little different as the movie goes out with a whimper but it is still completely worth watching. We awarded Super Dark Times 3.5/5 in our review.

3. The Descent (2005) – Claustrophobia and Betrayal

The Toxic Factor: Fractured relationships and hidden secrets are the least of the group’s worries as the cave they entered plays host to something truly terrifying. The story of frayed friendships and eroded trust is set against a backdrop of grief and betrayal that manages to stand alone in its own right.

Knockout Verdict: Don’t look down.

Definitely one of the most well regarded horror movies on this list. The Descent is Neil Marshall’s follow up to Dog Soldiers and is a legitimately scary horror movie. Following the story of a group of friends who head out to the Appalachian mountains for a spelunking trip in a cave system.

Even when placed up against what is a genuinely frightening monster movie. Creature designs are fantastic and have proved iconic over time. The location is claustrophobic and wince inducing and the scares come thick and fast. Awesome stuff though it does show its age in parts and copy cat movies have eaten away at some of the originality. Still a great watch and a perfect example of a horror movie with friendship gone wrong. We awarded The Descent 3.5/5 in our review.

2. The Innocents (2021) – Kids Can Be Cruel

The Toxic Factor: This is a pretty grim horror movie from Norway that puts a bit of a spin on the “friendship gone wrong” theme. What starts as amusement and mischief soon turns dark as the group’s friendship begins to splinter. The way the story subverts the typical expectation of childhood play and puts the focus on the cruelty children are capable of deserves special mention.

Knockout Verdict: Childhood isn’t innocent.

The Innocents differs in as much as the main characters here are all children. A group of friends on a housing estate discover they have strange, almost supernatural, powers that allow them to communicate through telepathy, move objects and even influence others.

This is a truly bleak movie. It is one of those horror films that really leans into creating a legitimately brooding mood and a sense of despair in the viewer throughout. There are some genuinely troubling scenes in The Innocents, some of which involve depictions of violence to animals, and it should be watched with a special consideration towards sensitive viewers. The Innocents is a film that is hard to shake once you have watched it. Not at all fun but it is both powerful and moving while being effective throughout. We awarded The Innocents 4/5 in our review.

1. Calibre (2018) – One Shot Changes Everything

The Toxic Factor: The friendship of the two main characters plays a pivotal role in the progression of the story but also plays heavily into the deepening of the pair’s problems. It is one of the best examples of toxic friendships in horror.

Knockout Verdict: Guilt is a heavy burden.

An underrated hidden gem of a horror, thriller movie. Calibre sees a pair of friends head out to the wilds of Scotland on a hunting trip. After a night of partying, the pair hit the woods only for a terrible accident to set off a chain of events that will threaten more than simply their friendship. Again, this one is more of a thriller than a horror but it is such a good movie that I think horror fans will find plenty to enjoy.

Brilliant stuff, fantastically acted, and gripping from start to finish. Calibre deserves way more praise than it gets. Once things get going, it never lets up for a minute and goes out of its way to leave your nerves shredded. Essential viewing and a perfect example of toxic friendships leading to absolute disaster. We awarded Calibre 4/5 in our review.

Time to find new friends?

That wraps up Part One of our look at 10 Horror Movies With Toxic Friendships. If you are still hungry for more backstabbing, betrayal, and bad vibes, be sure to head over to Part Two: 10 More Toxic Friendships in Horror Movies RANKED. If, on the other hand, this list has left you feeling a little cynical about your own social circle, why not cleanse your palate with something more positive? Check out our list of the 10 Best Friendships in Horror Movies RANKED.

Since love (or the lack thereof) is in the air, don’t forget to check out our Valentine’s Day specials: 10 Horror Movies With Murderous Couples and 10 Romantic Horror Movies For Valentine’s Day. Why not stick around? You can always check out our latest horror reviews, read some horror ending explainers, or dive into more horror lists. Take care, and I will hopefully see you again soon.

🗡️ Quick Picks: The Worst Horror Movie Friends by Vibe

The “Most Stressful” Pick: Calibre (2018)
For when you want to sweat. It isn’t a supernatural horror, but the tension of covering up a hunting accident in a hostile town is unbearable.

The “Claustrophobic” Pick: The Descent (2005)
For when you feel trapped. Getting stuck in a cave is bad enough without realizing your friend brought you there for selfish reasons (and there are monsters).

The “Mind-Bending” Pick: Coherence (2013)
For when you want a puzzle. It perfectly captures how quickly polite dinner party conversation dissolves into paranoia when reality starts to fracture.

The “Social Satire” Pick: Sissy (2022)
For when you hate influencers. A colorful, gory, and hilarious look at how childhood bullying can fester into adult psychosis.

The “Bleak” Pick: The Innocents (2021)
For when you want to be disturbed. It strips away the innocence of childhood play to reveal something cruel, calculating, and terrifying.

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