Who’s the best modern horror director? Twitter debates

13 August, 2025

A post on X (formerly Twitter) has provoked a debate online on who the modern masters of horror would be.

In an uncertain time for the industry, horror has become one of the more successful genres in Hollywood. Films such as Sinners, 28 Years Later, and the recent Weapons have all been critical and commercial hits. It has also propelled the directors to stardom, as fans await the latest from a new generation of auteurs.

Podcaster Phil Walsh recently posted on X/Twitter with the caption “Masters of Modern Horror? I think so”. Attached to the tweet were four selections: Weapons director Zach Cregger; Osgood Perkins (The Monkey); Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us); and Robert Eggers (Nosferatu, The Witch).

The choices prompted a debate in the replies, with many feeling one name was omitted. “Where the fuck is Ari Aster” asked one, with another adding: “Easily Aster over either Perkins or Eggers”.

As well as Hereditary filmmaker Aster, other new names in the genre mentioned were The Philippou Brothers (Bring Her Back) and Sinners director Ryan Googler. “I’d remove Osgood Perkins and add the Philippou brothers” wrote one, with another enthusing: “Ryan Coogler has me EXCITED for whatever he has planned. Off of Sinners alone, I’d put him over Perkins tbh”.

One users pointed out the wealth of talent in horror movies at the moment. “Ari Aster, Brandon Cronenberg, Julia Ducournau, and Jane Schoenbrun, too,” they wrote. “An embarrassment of riches”.

There was some praise for those in the list, however. “Eggers > Everyone” wrote one user, while another said: “Jordan Peele is in such a tier above these other three we can not be serious”.

The success of Zach Cregger’s Weapons has already seen a prequel for the film greenlit, while one of the stars from the film, Austin Abrams, will lead the director’s Resident Evil adaptation.

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