The rosters at this year’s Overlook Film Festival offered a handful of compelling films that expanded and transformed the traditional scope of horror. These standout performances, ranging from a taut relationship drama and teenage technology heist, to controversial extraterrestrial relationships and an eerie endless road trip, entertained spectators on the big screen. These five unclaimed masterpieces await distributors to bring them to the larger audience they merit.

Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys give strong performances in a tense story mostly set within the confines of an increasingly suffocating automobile. The duo portrays a marriage in crisis, receiving an ominous nocturnal phone call from their daughter (Megan McDonnell) alerting them of a car crash deep in the middle of nowhere and possibly involving another girl. Insight into the mystery is shaped by conversations with their daughter, audible via the car speakers, as the parents rush to the accident scene. Director Babak Anvari, cinematographer Kit Fraser and William Gillies' riveting script skilfully maintain suspense and visual interest throughout the extended car ride.

The second eye-catching movie is a heist story, played out on screen, following tech-savvy teenagers plotting a daring cryptocurrency theft from a character akin to Elon Musk. Their reckoning is more than they ever imagined. From his highly digital upbringing comes a beautiful portrayal of young hackers by 27-year-old Ronan Corrigan. His multidimensional use of the computer screen allows viewers into the hackers' emotional world and their elaborate online thievery plans. When the finale hits a bittersweet note, it is evident that Corrigan’s cinematic future is bound for greatness.

An ingenious and raunchy alien comedy from writer-director Addison Heimann is poised to become a midnight screening staple. Filled with references from diverse sources like 70s Japanese films, 80s hip-hop, and new age guru teachings, the film tells the story of two self-hating best friends (Jordan Gavaris and Olivia Taylor Dudley) who accidentally form a love triangle with an overbearing alien (Lou Taylor Pucci). Dance sequences, bloody action, tentacle scenes and moving moments make up this original tale.

In an unsettling tale by Alex Ullom, four university-aged friends encounter a barren road on which they must continuously drive to escape a violent mob attack if they stop for more than 90 seconds. The characters deliver genuine portrayals of the disillusioned youth while the endless road tests their resilience and humanity. It’s an efficient blend of dread and existentialism, guaranteed to spark dialogues.

Lastly, the supernatural horror feature "Good Boy" uses a talented canine actor's perspective. Originally planned to premiere on a single screen, it had to be expanded to three screens due to the high ticket demand. The unique cinematography and the blend of animal perspective with the genre promise to attract a broad audience. As a delightful and chilling treat, it’s easily absorbed even with limited dialogue.