Tired of boring movies? 5 rare genres that will change your perception of cinema

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Do the terms "mumblecore," "giallo," or "splatter" mean anything to you? These are genres of cinema that are rarely found in mainstream distribution but have gained numerous devoted fans.

Learn more about them in the article on zoomboola.com.

Splatstick

Splatterstick is a hybrid of horror and comedy, combining terrifying violence with grotesque humor. The term originates from the fusion of the words "splatter" and "slapstick."

Severed limbs and gushing blood are used for comedic effect. The frame is filled with blood, slime, and guts, and the main characters find themselves in deadly situations—but it all looks deliberately comical. The violence is so exaggerated that it provokes laughter instead of fear.

Who will enjoy this genre? Those who aren't afraid of the sight of blood and love to laugh at the most absurd situations. If this appeals to you, be sure to watch 'From Dusk Till Dawn' (1996), 'Braindead' (1992), and 'Evil Dead II' (1987)—by the way, this film received an impressive 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Two men in black jackets look surprised at the camera, behind them stands a girl in a swimsuit
A scene from the film 'From Dusk Till Dawn'
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Mumblecore

This movement in independent cinema emerged in the United States in the early 2000s. It is characterized by minimalism, improvisation, a modest budget, and most importantly, a focus on realistic dialogues rather than plot.

Such films are usually shot in natural settings—apartments, bars, offices—rather than studios. There is little to no soundtrack in these films. As for the plot, mumblecore films typically portray the lives of characters in their 20s and 30s who have not achieved significant success in their careers or personal lives.

The American director Andrew Bujalski is often called the “godfather” of mumblecore, as his film “Funny Ha Ha” (2002) is credited with starting the genre, as noted by Indiewire.

Interestingly, the name of the style was originally a joke made by Bujalski’s colleague, sound engineer Eric Masunaga. This offhand quip would later be studied in film schools worldwide. It was a terrible name that no one liked. But we could never get rid of it, recalls director Joe Swanberg.

In early mumblecore films, amateurs were cast, but eventually, professional actors agreed to participate in such experiments. Examples include the films “Drinking Buddies” (2013) starring Anna Kendrick and “Cyrus” (2010) starring Jonah Hill. By the late 2010s, mumblecore as a genre had partially dissolved, but its elements are actively used in both indie and mainstream cinema.
A man and a woman at a picnic in the woods clink glasses of red wine
A scene from 'Drinking Buddies'
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Giallo

Giallo refers to crime thrillers generously seasoned with psychological horror, gore, erotica, and even the supernatural. Bright red walls, an unsettling soundtrack, and a killer in leather gloves — that's true giallo!

The genre emerged in Italy in the mid-1960s. Its name is derived from literature; in Italy, it refers to any work of the detective genre. The term itself pays homage to the crime-mystery story collections "Il Giallo Mondadori" ("Yellow Mondadori"), published in the 1920s with their distinctive yellow covers.

Typical examples of giallo include the films "Deep Red" (1975) and "Phenomena" (1985). However, perhaps the most famous work in this style is the horror film "Suspiria" (1977), praised for its visual elements. Argento [the film's director — Ed.] worked so hard on the effects — with jagged editing, colored lighting, and unusual camera angles — that it would be impolite not to be scared, comments film critic Dave Kehr.

Today, giallo is not as popular, but its influence can be seen in modern horror films and slashers, from "Saw" to the works of Ari Aster.
A curly-haired dark-haired girl with a frightened look against the background of bright red curtains
Scene from the film "Suspiria"
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Dogme 95

Dogme 95 is a cinematic movement created in 1995 by Danish directors Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. They aimed to liberate cinema from commercial clichés, making it as authentic as possible. For these directors, the story was more important than technology.

The leaders of the movement developed a manifesto known as the "Vow of Chastity." It prohibited the use of sets and artificial lighting, nonlinear storytelling, on-screen violence, and special effects. Filming was suggested to be done on 35mm film (now replaced by digital formats), and sound separate from the image was not allowed.

Precisely because there was such a clear structure, it had a lot of lightness of feeling. We could play around as much as we wanted, recalls Vinterberg. Notable examples of Dogme 95 works include "The Idiots" (1998) and "Lovers" (1999). It's also worth mentioning the film "The Celebration," which was shot with natural light, "live" music and sound, and without post-production.
A few joyful girls and men are having fun at a house party
Still from the film 'The Idiots'
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Unfortunately, by the mid-2000s, the movement officially ended. However, its ideas inspired many independent filmmakers, such as Greta Gerwig ("Barbie") and Sean Baker ("Anora").

Biopunk

Unlike cyberpunk, where the main theme is the control of technology over society, biopunk focuses on manipulation with biology and genetics. DNA experiments, cloning, mutations, viruses, cyborgs with organic elements—all these are part of this genre.

Biopunk films depict a grim future where technology changes not only cities but the very nature of humanity. A moral dilemma runs through: where is the line between humans and mutants?
A young woman with long light locks in a silver dress
A scene from the movie 'Gattaca'
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If you appreciate social satire and dystopia, watch the now-classic films "The Fly" (1986) by David Cronenberg, "Gattaca" (1997), and "Dark City" (1998). Among more recent biopunk masterpieces are "The Creator," "Upgrade," and the series "Altered Carbon," which received high ratings on IMDb.

Cinema is not just blockbusters, comedies, and arthouse. Rare and unusual genres change our view of familiar stories and allow us to experience unique emotions. Which of these styles would you like to explore more closely?