10 Movies Like May (2001)
Sometimes, the scariest monsters aren’t lurking in the shadows—they’re the lonely, misunderstood outsiders desperately searching for connection. May (2002) is a perfect example of this, blending psychological horror, dark humor, and body horror into a tragic character study of a woman who just wants a friend… no matter what it takes. If you were captivated by May’s eerie tone, unsettling protagonist, and slow descent into madness, you’re in luck—there are plenty of other films that explore similar themes of obsession, alienation, and psychological unraveling. From twisted coming-of-age horror to deeply disturbing character studies, these 10 movies like May will leave you unsettled, heartbroken, and maybe even a little sympathetic toward the monsters they create.
1. Excision (2012)
Few films capture the raw discomfort of social alienation like Excision. This grotesque and deeply psychological horror film follows Pauline, an awkward and deeply disturbed teenage girl who struggles to connect with those around her. Like May, Pauline is an outcast who exists on the fringes of society, misunderstood by her family, classmates, and teachers. Her interests—centered around surgery, blood, and body modification—alienate her even further, much like May’s fixation on doll-making and human anatomy.
Pauline’s home life is suffocating, with a mother (played brilliantly by Traci Lords) who constantly belittles and controls her, reinforcing the idea that she will never be good enough. While May seeks connection through friendship and romance, Pauline’s desire for validation manifests in grotesque fantasies—hyper-stylized, surreal dream sequences drenched in vibrant reds and haunting imagery. These dreams contrast sharply with her dull, oppressive reality, reflecting her deep yearning to escape into something greater.
What makes Excision so unsettling is how it balances pitch-black humor with moments of gut-wrenching tragedy. Like May, the film builds up sympathy for its protagonist, making her slow descent into horror all the more painful to watch. Pauline may be unhinged, but she’s also deeply lonely, and her actions—however grotesque—stem from a desperate need to be seen and understood. The film’s shocking climax delivers one of the most horrifying yet emotionally devastating moments in modern horror, solidifying its place alongside May as a character-driven exploration of psychological torment. If you were drawn to May’s themes of obsession, loneliness, and the blurred line between passion and madness, Excision is one of my favorites and a must-watch. You can watch it here for free.
2. The Loved Ones (2009)
The Loved Ones takes the concept of unrequited love to its most horrifying extreme. This Australian horror film introduces us to Lola, a seemingly sweet but socially awkward high school girl who has her heart set on Brent, a brooding teen still grappling with the guilt of his father’s death. When Brent turns down her invitation to the prom, Lola and her father take matters into their own hands—kidnapping Brent and subjecting him to a sadistic, nightmarish dinner party.
Much like May, Lola is a lonely, unstable young woman who doesn’t know how to form healthy relationships. Her twisted idea of love involves control, violence, and mutilation—echoing May’s own misguided attempts to construct the perfect friend. But while May is tragic and sympathetic, The Loved Ones leans into pure psychopathy, making Lola one of the most terrifying female villains in modern horror. She’s a nightmarish blend of innocence and cruelty, giggling as she drills holes into Brent’s skull or carves her initials into his chest.
Lola’s relationship with her father is also disturbingly intimate, adding another layer of unease to the film. While May had an unhealthy attachment to her childhood doll, Suzie, Lola’s emotional anchor is her father, who enables and participates in her horrific fantasies. The dynamic between them is unsettling, with a level of devotion that hints at something even darker lurking beneath the surface.
What makes The Loved Ones so effective is its balance of brutality and dark humor. It never shies away from its violent set pieces, but it also injects moments of absurdity—like the grotesquely glittery prom decorations in Lola’s twisted recreation of a school dance. The film’s final act is relentless, pushing Brent (and the audience) to the absolute limit. If you were fascinated by May’s exploration of loneliness and obsession but crave something with a more visceral, slasher-like edge, The Loved Ones will not disappoint.
3. Carrie (1976)
Few horror films capture the pain of social isolation as effectively as Carrie. Based on Stephen King’s debut novel, the film tells the story of Carrie White, a painfully shy, sheltered teenage girl who has spent her entire life being tormented—by her abusive religious fanatic mother at home and by cruel classmates at school. Like May, Carrie longs for connection but is consistently met with ridicule and rejection, leaving her emotionally stunted and deeply insecure.
The horror of Carrie builds slowly, starting as a tragic coming-of-age tale before erupting into full-blown supernatural carnage. Carrie’s discovery of her telekinetic abilities becomes a metaphor for repressed anger and newfound power, much like how May’s isolation manifests in her obsessive doll-making and eventual acts of violence. Both characters are deeply sympathetic—despite their disturbing tendencies, they are ultimately products of their environment, shaped by neglect, cruelty, and an inability to fit in.
Carrie’s mother, Margaret White, is a particularly haunting figure. While May’s loneliness stems from a lack of parental guidance, Carrie’s is exacerbated by her mother’s abusive and extreme religious beliefs. Margaret keeps Carrie in a constant state of guilt and fear, reinforcing the idea that she is unworthy of love or happiness. This mirrors how May was shaped by her childhood trauma—raised by a controlling mother who gave her a glass-eyed doll as her only friend.
The film’s climax is legendary: Carrie, momentarily believing she has finally been accepted, is humiliated at prom when a cruel prank leads to a catastrophic breakdown. Her pain and rage—years of torment and isolation bubbling to the surface—result in a psychic massacre that leaves nearly everyone dead. Like May, Carrie reaches a breaking point where she can no longer contain the damage inflicted upon her, and the consequences are devastating.
While May leans more into psychological horror and body horror, Carrie delivers a mix of supernatural revenge and heartbreaking tragedy. Both films make audiences sympathize with their protagonists before pulling the rug out from under them, forcing them to witness their inevitable downfall. If you were drawn to May for its exploration of loneliness and emotional suppression, Carrie is a must-watch.
4. Maniac (2012)
A deeply unsettling remake of the 1980 slasher, Maniac follows Frank, a socially awkward man with severe trauma and a penchant for collecting women’s scalps. Told entirely from Frank’s first-person perspective, the film drags viewers into his disturbed mind, much like May does with its titular character. Both movies explore themes of obsession, mental illness, and the inability to form normal relationships. While May leans more into emotional horror, Maniac is unflinchingly brutal, with intense violence and an oppressively grim atmosphere. Elijah Wood delivers a chilling performance as the soft-spoken yet terrifying killer, making Frank one of the most memorable horror villains in recent years. If you want a film that puts you inside the mind of a deeply damaged character, Maniac is an excellent, if harrowing, watch.
5. American Mary (2012)
Few horror films capture the intersection of alienation, body horror, and female empowerment quite like American Mary. Directed by the Soska Sisters, the film follows Mary Mason, a talented but financially struggling medical student who stumbles into the world of underground body modification. What starts as a way to make quick cash quickly spirals into something darker, as Mary begins to lose herself in her work—much like May, who becomes consumed by her morbid fascination with human anatomy and perfection.
Mary is a fascinating character study, much like May—both women are highly intelligent and talented but socially awkward and emotionally detached. While May’s isolation comes from her inability to connect with others, Mary’s comes from a deep sense of betrayal. After being sexually assaulted by a trusted professor, she transforms—shifting from a vulnerable woman into a cold, methodical force of vengeance. Her shift from a struggling student to a feared underground surgeon is both thrilling and tragic, mirroring May’s slow descent into madness.
The film is rich in body horror, with visually stunning and grotesque sequences that showcase Mary’s surgical prowess. Unlike traditional horror films that use body horror as a source of fear, American Mary presents it as a form of self-expression—much like how May uses her doll-making skills to create her ultimate “friend.” The individuals who seek out Mary’s services aren’t victims but willing participants, desiring extreme transformations that allow them to feel more like their true selves. This mirrors May’s obsession with creating the “perfect” companion—both women manipulate the human body in unsettling ways to fulfill their emotional void.
What sets American Mary apart is its feminist undercurrent. While May’s journey is one of tragic self-destruction, Mary’s is one of controlled vengeance—she takes power over those who have wronged her, using her skills as a weapon rather than a coping mechanism. Yet, despite her strength, she is still ultimately a victim of her own emotional detachment, making her downfall just as inevitable.
If you were fascinated by May’s blend of psychological horror, loneliness, and body modification, American Mary offers a similarly disturbing yet compelling experience.
6. The Eyes of My Mother (2016)
If May left you with a deep sense of melancholy, The Eyes of My Mother will take that to the next level. This black-and-white arthouse horror film is a slow-burning, deeply unsettling character study that follows Francisca, a lonely woman shaped by childhood trauma and an inability to form normal human connections. Much like May, Francisca is not a traditional villain—she is tragic, deeply disturbed, and terrifyingly lonely.
The film begins with a horrific childhood event: a stranger murders Francisca’s mother in their isolated farmhouse, only for her father to capture and imprison the killer. Instead of feeling fear or hatred toward him, young Francisca treats him like a pet—keeping him chained up and experimenting on his body, much like how May “fixes” her creations. This warped sense of normalcy follows her into adulthood, where she continues to seek companionship in deeply disturbing ways.
Unlike May, which balances horror with dark humor, The Eyes of My Mother is an entirely somber experience. The film is deliberately slow and methodical, with long, quiet shots that emphasize Francisca’s solitude. Her actions—while horrific—are performed with a sense of childlike innocence, making them all the more unsettling. She isn’t a sadistic killer but a woman who simply doesn’t understand how relationships work, leading to disturbing acts of violence in her desperate attempts to create companionship.
The black-and-white cinematography adds to the film’s eerie, dreamlike quality. While May is colorful and almost surreal in its visual presentation, The Eyes of My Mother feels stark and clinical—its horror rooted in silence, isolation, and inevitability. There are no dramatic outbursts or moments of cathartic release like in Carrie or The Loved Ones—just a slow, creeping sense of doom that lingers long after the credits roll.
If you loved May for its exploration of loneliness and psychological deterioration, The Eyes of My Mother offers a similarly haunting experience—one that will leave you feeling hollow and disturbed in the best possible way.
7. Pet (2016)
At first glance, Pet seems like a straightforward thriller about an obsessive man kidnapping the woman he’s in love with. However, the film quickly takes unexpected turns, revealing that the supposed victim might be even more dangerous than her captor. Like May, Pet explores themes of obsession, loneliness, and toxic relationships in a deeply unsettling way. The film’s psychological twists keep you constantly guessing, making it as thrilling as it is disturbing. Both May and Pet force viewers to question who the real villain is, making for a compelling and uneasy viewing experience. If you enjoy horror films that subvert expectations and dive into the complexities of the human psyche, Pet is worth your time.
8. Pin (1988)
An underrated psychological horror film, Pin follows Leon, a socially stunted young man who becomes dangerously obsessed with a life-sized medical mannequin. Much like May, Leon struggles with isolation and creates a disturbing fantasy world to cope with his loneliness. As his obsession with the mannequin grows, his grip on reality weakens, leading to some truly unsettling moments. The film is more of a slow psychological thriller than an outright horror film, but its creeping dread and exploration of mental illness make it deeply unsettling. If you liked May’s quiet but disturbing descent into madness, Pin delivers a similarly eerie experience.
9. Ginger Snaps (2000)
Few horror films blend dark humor, body horror, and female alienation as perfectly as Ginger Snaps. At its core, the film is a coming-of-age story wrapped in a monstrous metaphor—two outcast sisters, Ginger and Brigitte, struggle with the pains of adolescence, only for their lives to spiral out of control after Ginger is attacked by a mysterious creature and begins undergoing terrifying changes.
Like May, Ginger Snaps explores themes of social isolation, the fear of transformation, and the inability to fit in. Ginger’s slow but inevitable metamorphosis into a werewolf mirrors the experience of puberty, with heightened aggression, sexual awakening, and uncontrollable urges taking over her once-close bond with Brigitte. This shift in their relationship is heartbreaking—while May’s loneliness stems from never having a close friend, Brigitte experiences the opposite pain: watching the person she loves most slowly slip away.
The film also shares May’s darkly comedic edge. Ginger and Brigitte’s morbid fascination with death is introduced early on through their elaborate, staged death photography projects—a twisted but endearing form of sisterly bonding. As Ginger’s condition worsens, the film leans into body horror, with her physical transformation including sharp fangs, a growing tail, and an increasing thirst for blood. It’s both grotesque and tragic, emphasizing the horror of losing control over one’s body and identity.
Where May focuses on one woman’s descent into madness, Ginger Snaps offers a more complex exploration of female relationships. Ginger’s transformation not only isolates her but forces Brigitte into a desperate struggle to save her sister, even as she fears what Ginger is becoming. The film’s climax is both devastating and inevitable, solidifying Ginger Snaps as one of the most compelling horror films about the struggles of womanhood and loneliness.
If May’s exploration of female alienation and transformation struck a chord with you, Ginger Snaps offers a similarly powerful experience, mixing sharp wit, gruesome horror, and deeply emotional storytelling. It’s a must-watch for anyone who loves horror films that delve into the darkness of human (and in this case, inhuman) nature.
10. Audition (1999)
A slow-burn psychological horror masterpiece from Japan, Audition follows a lonely widower who holds a fake audition to find a new wife—only to fall for a seemingly sweet woman with a horrifying secret. The film starts as a melancholic drama but gradually descends into pure nightmare fuel, much like May’s gradual unraveling. Like May, Asami (the film’s antagonist) is an enigmatic woman whose loneliness and trauma manifest in shocking ways. The final act of Audition is among the most disturbing sequences in horror history, cementing its reputation as one of the most unsettling films ever made. If you love horror that sneaks up on you before hitting like a ton of bricks, Audition is a must-watch.
All of these films share May’s fascination with loneliness, obsession, and psychological horror, making them perfect companions to McKee’s cult classic. Which one will you be watching first?
