by Jesse Miller, MoreHorror.com

2011 was somewhat of a quiet year for the horror genre and me and I still haven’t seen everything I would’ve liked to – but so far, here’s the top 5 horror films of 2011 that made quite an impression on me.

5. Final Destination 5

Let’s face it, they never meant The Final Destination to be the last one.

After all, you really can’t stop death, can you? – Haven’t these film makers learnt anything from their characters?

But seriously, Final Destination 5 was a return to form for the series, after the drab and dreary last two installments. Tony Todd’s return was a welcomed one and the writers threw in this interesting little twist to shake up the familiar formula.
Not all of it worked but damn if it wasn’t tense as all hell – and with one of the year’s best horror soundtracks, The Final Destination series is back with a vengeance. Here’s hoping they do get around to these back-to-back sequels and give them hilariously bad names like I know what you did last final destination Too much? How about A Final Destination: Part 1 & 2? Ok, I’m stopping.

Also, I’d really like to see them go through the mythology of Tony Todd’s character.

4. The Rite

There’s nothing quite like a good Exorcism film is there? Demonic possession, creepy voices, contorted bodies, a great feeling of dread – the old tale of good versus evil. The Rite wasn’t perfect but it didn’t have to be, it was actually quite satisfying in it’s own way – you have the timeless tale of a priest losing faith, coming face-to-face with something demonic, evil and supernatural and having to confront himself and his issues, you had an abundance of chilling moments and hey – Anthony Hopkins is in it. I was already sold.

3. Chillerama

An absolutely crazy throwback to a mix of different sub genres while also managing to be a touching homage to the days of the drive- in. It’s a little out there but damn is it great for a laugh!

2. Insidious

It’s not the most terrifying film since The Exorcist as some would have you believe – but what it is though, is a good old fashioned haunted house tale, exceptionally told by the lads behind Saw and Dead Silence.
Best haunted house film since The Amityville Horror then?

1. Bereavement

This is Stevan Mena's prequel to his earlier film Malevolence and is a slow burning and brutal film – but that’s why I love it dearly. It had some terrific performances from Brett Rickaby, Michael Biehn and Alexandra Daddario and over all, it was a tense, character-driven piece and one that was a very beautifully shot film and gorgeous to look at. Another reason why this indie gets top spot is because it’s also quite a powerful film, thematically and when it comes to the horror. Shocking, relentless, powerful - you CANNOT miss this one.