Curses are a reliable trope in contemporary horror, and ’s release of Corin Hardy’s Whistle taps directly into that enduring fascination. The film centers on characters who inadvertently unleash a deadly curse by blowing an Aztec Death Whistle, resulting in a series of increasingly gruesome events. While the premise might feel familiar, it’s a testament to the genre’s ability to revisit and reimagine classic themes. But what other films explore similar territory – the terrifying consequences of tempting fate or stumbling upon a cursed object?
Whistle, according to an interview with IMDb, draws inspiration from several key films. A Nightmare on Elm Street is a primary influence, particularly in its exploration of the inevitability of death and the helplessness of its victims. Hardy and screenwriter Owen Egerton reportedly borrowed directly from the iconic Tina Grey murder sequence for some of Whistle’s most memorable and shocking deaths. Beyond the scares, the film also acknowledges a debt to The Lost Boys, specifically its soundtrack and a lighter, more playful tone. This tonal balance is evident in moments like the text exchange between the characters Chrys and Ellie, offering a brief respite from the mounting tension.
Finally, Donnie Darko also served as a touchstone, not just for its focus on teenage protagonists, but also for its exploration of social dynamics. Like Donnie Darko, Whistle centers on characters who exist on the fringes of high school society – those who are marginalized or overlooked – adding another layer of complexity to their struggle against the supernatural forces at play.
Beyond these direct inspirations, the broader category of “cursed object” films offers a wealth of comparable titles. The Final Destination franchise is an obvious starting point. The original 2000 film established the concept of Death actively pursuing those who have cheated fate, a premise that clearly resonates with Whistle’s narrative. While Whistle doesn’t adhere to the same rigid order of deaths as the Final Destination films, the underlying theme of inescapable doom is undeniably present.
Specific entries in the Final Destination series also appear to have influenced Whistle’s plot points. Final Destination 2 introduces the idea that temporarily “killing” a character can throw Death off their trail, a tactic employed by the protagonists in Whistle. The concept of swapping lives to avoid death, presented by Ivy in Whistle, echoes a similar plot device in Final Destination 5, where characters attempt to sacrifice others to appease Death. In Final Destination 5, Peter Friedkin’s attempt to use this tactic fails, while in Whistle, the life swap ultimately proves successful.
The influence of J-horror is also apparent. The Ring (2002) and its Japanese counterpart, Ringu, immediately come to mind. While Whistle lacks the specific mythology of a cursed videotape, it shares the element of investigating the origins of a cursed object and the sense of impending doom. Similarly, The Grudge (2004) and its source material, Ju-On, explore the idea of a haunted location and a curse that relentlessly pursues its victims.
More recent examples of the cursed object trope include 2024’s Tarot, where characters are killed based on the cards they draw from a haunted deck, and 2019’s Countdown, which features a smartphone app that predicts the user’s time of death. While Countdown may not be a critical darling, it possesses a certain campy charm. For those seeking a more comedic approach, Oz Perkins’ The Monkey (2025) promises over-the-top gore and a darkly humorous tone.
Finally, Wish Upon (2017), centering on a cursed Chinese music box, offers another point of comparison, though its handling of cultural elements may be questionable. The film’s questionable character motivations and unintentional humor might not appeal to all viewers, but it provides another example of the dangers of tampering with the supernatural.
Whistle, then, doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s part of a long and fascinating tradition of horror films that explore the consequences of tempting fate and the terrifying power of curses. Whether you’re a fan of classic slashers, supernatural thrillers, or J-horror, there’s a wealth of films to explore that share thematic similarities with Hardy’s latest offering. The question remains: what other titles would you add to this list?
