Although it’s informed by the continuity established by 2000’s X-Men and its follow-ups, The New Mutants also stands on its own, which remains a rarity for superhero movies. 20th Century FoxWhile The New Mutants eventually builds to a superhero battle of sorts, it’s influenced more by the long tradition of horror movies set in similar institutions. Just a year earlier, M. Night Shyamalan’s superhero remix Glass explored some of the same concepts, with Taylor-Joy herself in a supporting role. 20th Century FoxThere’s just enough background to make it meaningful when the characters’ deepest fears start to manifest themselves, and Boone doesn’t hold back on the scares. The special effects may falter in the climax, but Boone also doesn’t have the obligation of depicting a world-ending event.