The 8 Best Practical Effects Scenes of the 2010s (That CGI Still Can’t Touch)

"Panos Cosmatos's psychedelic nightmare is a love letter to practical effects. The brain surgery scene is a masterclass in unsettling body horror, using prosthetics and lighting to create a truly visceral experience. I remember seeing this at a midnight screening, and the entire audience was squirming. It's grotesque, surreal, and utterly unforgettable. It's filmed in a super-widescreen 2.39:1 aspect ratio, which only adds to the claustrophobia. The retro synth score and the overall aesthetic are just chef's kiss. Honestly, I think the film's slow pace and ambiguous ending deterred mainstream audiences. Their loss! Still gets under my skin. RIGHT?!"

"Those alien designs! Seriously, the glowing teeth and furry bodies of the aliens in Attack the Block are pure practical genius. They're genuinely menacing and feel so much more tangible than any CGI monster. The creature work is especially impressive considering the film's relatively low budget. I watched this with my little brother when it first came out, and he was terrified (in the best way possible). I think the film's British slang and setting might have limited its appeal to American audiences, which is a shame. They missed out! They're such incredibly designed creatures and the lighting work in the nighttime scenes really adds to their menacing presence."

"Don Coscarelli, the man behind Phantasm, delivers another dose of mind-bending weirdness with John Dies at the End. The practical effects are gloriously bizarre, from the meat monster to the doorknob that turns into a penis. It's all so delightfully low-budget and inventive. This movie knows exactly what it is. People HATED it! But, it holds a special place in my heart. The 'soy sauce' drug and its hallucinatory effects are perfectly visualized. I saw this with a group of friends, and we were laughing so hard we cried. The problem? The marketing was totally off! They tried to sell it as a straight-up horror movie, when it's really a comedy with horror elements. The 1.85:1 aspect ratio really emphasizes the close-up, grotesque details."

"This remake is BRUTAL. Elijah Wood is genuinely creepy, and the first-person perspective puts you right in the middle of the madness. The practical gore effects are incredibly realistic and disturbing. It's not a fun watch, but it's a technically impressive one. The original Maniac was a grindhouse classic, but this remake elevates the gore to an art form. I was deeply uncomfortable watching it, but I couldn't look away. The squibs look amazing. What an underappreciated film! People are too squeamish for that level of intensity, I think."

"Found footage meets steampunk body horror? Yes, please! Frankenstein's Army is a non-stop parade of grotesque creations, all brought to life with practical effects. The creature designs are insane and imaginative. The film is shot in a deliberately shaky and chaotic style, which adds to the sense of disorientation and dread. The 'propeller head' zombie soldier is the stuff of nightmares. I saw this at a horror convention, and the crowd went wild. However, the found-footage format might have turned off some viewers. Modern audiences lack patience!"

"Okay, this one's a no-brainer. Fury Road is a masterclass in practical stunt work and vehicle mayhem. The explosions, the car chases, the sandstorms – it's all real, and it's all breathtaking. The sheer scale of the production is mind-boggling. I saw this in IMAX, and it was the most immersive cinematic experience of my life. George Miller proved that practical effects can still be more impressive than any amount of CGI. I mean, come on, the Doof Warrior playing a flame-throwing guitar?! The set design is also incredible. Just a perfect action film."

"Jeremy Saulnier's Green Room is a brutal and unflinching thriller. The practical gore effects are incredibly realistic and shocking. The arm break scene... I can't even talk about it. It really shows just how effective practical effects can be in elevating the tension and realism of a scene. I watched this alone at night, and I had trouble sleeping afterwards. I think the film's dark and violent nature limited its mainstream appeal. Audiences often prefer escapism over realism, unfortunately."

"A cosmic horror throwback that oozes practical effects goodness. The creature designs in The Void are heavily inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft and John Carpenter, and they're all brought to life with impressive practical prosthetics and makeup. The gore is over-the-top and delightfully disturbing. I felt like I was watching something from the 80s, but with a modern sensibility. I backed this on Kickstarter, and I was so happy with the result. The lighting, the creature designs, all perfection. It was a fairly low-budget film, but I think this contributed to its charm."