10 Movies Like The Collector:
1. The Collection (2012)
If you loved The Collector, then The Collection is a must-watch. This sequel raises the stakes by expanding the game from a single house to an entire booby-trapped warehouse of death. It follows Arkin (Josh Stewart) after he escapes the Collector’s clutches—only to be forced back in to rescue a kidnapped girl. Expect bigger, bloodier traps, a more action-oriented pace, and an insane nightclub massacre that sets the tone for the whole film. While it loses some of the first film’s intimate home-invasion horror, it makes up for it with creative carnage. If you ever wondered what Saw would be like if it had a slasher villain, this is your answer.
2. Saw (2004)
One of the most influential horror films of the 2000s, Saw is a psychological nightmare filled with diabolical traps and moral dilemmas. Two strangers wake up in a filthy bathroom, chained to opposite walls, with only a saw that might help them escape—if they’re willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. The film introduces Jigsaw, a villain who punishes people for their perceived moral failings through deadly “games.” Like The Collector, it blends brutality with strategy, forcing characters to think their way out of nightmarish situations. It also kickstarted an entire franchise of elaborate, trap-filled horror, making it essential viewing for fans of sadistic survival horror.
3. Don’t Breathe (2016)
At first, Don’t Breathe seems like a standard home invasion film—but it quickly turns into something much darker. A trio of young thieves targets a blind man’s home, believing him to be an easy victim. But once inside, they realize he’s far more dangerous than they ever imagined. With the house locked down and the blind man hunting them, the tension escalates into a nerve-wracking game of survival. Like The Collector, it keeps the audience on edge, with claustrophobic spaces, unexpected twists, and extreme violence. By the time the film reveals its most disturbing secret, you’ll be wishing they had just picked a different house.
4. Hush (2016)
A tense, minimalist thriller that puts a fresh spin on the home invasion genre. The story follows Maddie, a deaf writer living in a secluded house, who becomes the target of a sadistic masked killer. The film brilliantly plays with sound and silence, putting the audience in Maddie’s shoes as she fights to outsmart her attacker. Like The Collector, it features a high-stakes game of survival, where the protagonist must use their intelligence to outmaneuver a relentless foe. It’s also directed by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep), so expect great tension-building and sharp storytelling.
5. You’re Next (2011)
On the surface, You’re Next is a home invasion movie—masked killers attack a family gathering in an isolated house. But what sets it apart is its unpredictable protagonist, Erin. Unlike most victims in the genre, Erin is not helpless—she fights back with ruthless efficiency, turning the tables on her attackers. Like The Collector, the film features gruesome traps, brutal kills, and a claustrophobic setting, but adds a darkly comedic twist. It’s a satisfying mix of slasher horror and survival thriller, with one of the most badass final girls in modern horror.
Head here to check out our You’re Next review.
6. Inside (2007)
If you can handle extreme horror, Inside (also known as À l’intérieur) is one of the most disturbing home invasion films ever made. A heavily pregnant woman is home alone on Christmas Eve when a mysterious woman breaks in and tries to steal her unborn baby—by any means necessary. What follows is an unrelenting onslaught of blood, tension, and raw terror. The movie doesn’t hold back, making The Collector’s violence seem tame in comparison. French horror is known for pushing boundaries, and this film is a prime example of brutality done right.
7. The Strangers (2008)
Few films capture the pure terror of home invasion like The Strangers. A couple staying in a remote house is stalked and tormented by a trio of masked intruders—for no reason other than “because you were home.” The randomness of their cruelty makes it all the more chilling. The film is a masterclass in slow-burn tension, using long, unsettling shots and eerie silence to build dread. Like The Collector, it thrives on helplessness and isolation, as the victims are outmatched and outnumbered. This is one of those horror films that feels way too real, making it all the more terrifying.
8. Haute Tension (2003) (High Tension)
One of the most brutal and intense French horror films of the 2000s, Haute Tension follows two college friends who visit a remote farmhouse—only for a sadistic killer to show up and slaughter everyone. The film’s nonstop tension, relentless violence, and claustrophobic setting make it feel very similar to The Collector. The killer is merciless, and the protagonist is forced into a desperate fight for survival. With its gritty, grindhouse feel and unexpected twists, this film is a must-watch for fans of dark, relentless horror.
9. I Saw the Devil (2010)
This South Korean revenge thriller takes sadism and brutality to a whole new level. When a serial killer murders the fiancée of a secret agent, the agent hunts him down—not to kill him, but to repeatedly torture and release him. What follows is a twisted game of cat-and-mouse, where the lines between hero and villain become increasingly blurred. Like The Collector, it features a calculating, sadistic antagonist and relentless, nightmarish violence. It’s an intense and emotionally draining ride, but absolutely worth it if you love dark, revenge-driven horror.
10. Terrifier (2016)
If you love unapologetic brutality, Terrifier is for you. This film introduces Art the Clown, a sadistic, silent killer who revels in torturing his victims. Unlike The Collector, which has a stealthy, calculated villain, Art is an unpredictable, bloodthirsty maniac. The kills are grotesque, graphic, and shockingly inventive, making it a standout in modern slasher horror. While the film’s plot is simple, its relentless atmosphere of dread and stomach-churning gore make it a must-watch for hardcore horror fans.
Each of these films shares The Collector’s love for intense suspense, brutal kills, and relentless horror. Which one are you brave enough to watch next? 🔪
The Collector (2009): Home Alone Meets Saw.
In the late 2000s, horror was experiencing a gory torture wave, thanks in no small part to the Saw franchise. It was during this time that The Collector (2009) emerged, carrying the same DNA as Saw—which makes sense, considering it was written by Saw IV-VI scribes Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan. Originally pitched as a Saw prequel, the script eventually took on a life of its own, resulting in one of the most underrated horror-thrillers of its time.
What’s in the Box?
From the very start, The Collector hooks viewers with a simple yet chilling mystery: what’s in the box? The film opens with a shocking prologue that sets the tone for the nightmarish events to come. By the time the real story begins, we already know we’re in for something sinister.
A Genre-Bending Bloodbath
One of the most unique aspects of The Collector is how it seamlessly shifts genres. It starts as a heist film, transforms into a home invasion thriller, and then explodes into full-blown horror. We follow Arkin (Josh Stewart), a down-on-his-luck handyman who plans to rob his wealthy client’s home to settle his debts. However, when he breaks in, he quickly realizes he’s not alone—someone far more dangerous has gotten there first. The masked killer known as The Collector has rigged the house with ingenious, deadly booby traps, turning it into a sadistic playground of torture.
The Collector: A Killer with a Talent for Traps
The movie’s villain is an enigma. Unlike Jigsaw, whose motives are laid out in detail, the Collector’s intentions remain largely unknown. He doesn’t kill for revenge or a moral lesson—he simply takes, tortures, and enjoys watching his victims suffer. What’s even more fascinating is his engineering prowess—he turns an ordinary suburban home into a labyrinth of death, setting up Home Alone-style traps that are anything but playful. Razor-sharp floors, bear traps, fish hooks, and more await anyone unfortunate enough to step inside.
A Different Kind of Final Guy
Horror often leans on the concept of the final girl, but The Collector gives us a final guy in Arkin. Unlike most horror protagonists, Arkin isn’t a clueless teenager or an action hero—he’s a desperate, flawed man forced into heroism. He’s caught in a deadly game, constantly thinking on his feet, and his cat-and-mouse dynamic with the Collector is one of the film’s strongest elements. Josh Stewart’s performance adds depth to what could have been a standard horror lead—he’s tough but vulnerable, making him someone worth rooting for.
Traps, Gore, and That Basement Aesthetic
Much like Saw, the real star of The Collector is its grotesque creativity. The traps are elaborate and brutal, and each one feels like it could have been stolen from Jigsaw’s blueprint. Some are so over-the-top that they border on darkly comedic, which helps balance the relentless tension. However, the film does fall into one of the horror tropes of the era—the overuse of green and yellow filters, especially in the basement scenes. While it adds to the grimy aesthetic, it also makes some moments feel a little too reminiscent of Saw’s visual style.
The Torture Debate: Does It Go Too Far?
While The Collector thrives on suspense and tension, it does indulge in torture horror, which was a divisive trend at the time. Some critics felt the film leaned too heavily into gratuitous suffering, arguing that the threat and traps alone were enough to carry the horror. However, for fans of brutal, unrelenting horror, this film delivers exactly what they crave. For a mainstream movie, it was grotesque and wild, and even watching in 2025, it still holds up as pretty gross. However, it likely wouldn’t spark the wildfire of controversy and buzz that it did upon release.
Legacy and Cult Status
Although The Collector wasn’t a massive box office hit, it developed a cult following—enough to spawn a sequel, The Collection (2012). While the sequel leans more into action-horror territory, the original remains a gritty, underrated gem for fans of tense, trap-filled terror.
Final Verdict
The Collector isn’t just another home invasion movie—it’s a relentless survival horror thriller that blends heist, horror, and suspense into one grisly package. With an intriguing villain, a smart protagonist, and enough creative kills to satisfy Saw fans, it deserves its place among the best modern slasher-thrillers. That said, while it was shocking for its time, it doesn’t quite hold the same impact in today’s horror landscape. Personally, I think it’s a fine film, a solid 6/10.
Rating: 6/10 – A brutal, tension-filled ride with some of the best traps in horror, but not as groundbreaking in 2025.
Where to Watch The Collector For Free
I watched it on Tubi for free here, I don’t even have a Tubi account. I’ve read that Tubi is free with ads but I’ve never actually gotten an ad on Tubi (maybe it’s my adblock taking care of business though).
