Advertisement
Is Horror Dead?
Does a changing of the guard mean the end of a genre as we know it?
Heather Matarazzo in Eli Roth's Hostel: Part II (2007).
Torture porn showcases like Turistas and Hostel: Part II didn’t cut it with critics or moviegoers; Freddy, Jason and Michael are either showing up infrequently or basking in retirement—and there hasn’t been a breakout horror hit since a puppet named Jigsaw jump-started the grotesque Saw franchise back in 2004.
Though they’re trying, a new crop of young horror directors are having a devil of a time resurrecting the genre. Rising star Eli Roth’s reputation took a hit when his highly anticipated Hostel: Part II tanked. Neil Marshall delivered one of the better frights of the decade with 2005’s The Descent, but took a creative leap backward with the recycled mess that was Doomsday. Rogue, director Greg Mclean’s follow-up to the 2005 cult hit Wolf Creek, snuck into only a few theaters earlier this year before its inevitable date with DVD. Rob Zombie’s 2007 Halloween remake earned a tidy profit but left fans clamoring for the low-budget original.
Combine this with the old guard’s disappearing box office clout (George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead earned less than $1 million in its theatrical release earlier this year), and audiences are left wondering: What’s next on the horror horizon? Who can scare us silly again?
Legendary special effects guru Tom Savini, who worked on many of Romero’s classic films and is an actor and director in his own right, scratches his head over the genre’s current state.
“It’s hard to tell what phase it’s in,” Savini says of the cyclical genre, which rotates from old-school creature features like Frankenstein to psychological terrors such as The Haunting. Today, what amounts to an original idea is having a cell phone that can kill you, he laments. Horror fans are noticing the dearth of quality scares.
“When I go to [horror] conventions and do Q&As, you can tell they’re starving for something,” he says. If the last year has laid the groundwork for any trend it’s toward films evoking the video game experience, says Savini. Both Cloverfield and Diary of the Dead used a video camera as the audience’s main viewpoint, and scenes from each could easily be translated to a shoot-’em-up style video game. “That mindset—that point of view—is what’s important to the young audience,” he notes.
Ryuhei Kitamura, director of The Midnight Meat Train, agrees that the genre is suffering a creative dry spell. He hopes his film, adapted from a popular short story by Clive Barker, will help shake horror from its doldrums.
“This is probably one of the most violent, bloody movies ever made, but it’s not simply a serial killer movie,” Kitamura says of the film, about a photographer following a serial killer who snatches his victims in subway stations. “It has lots of twists, and you can’t expect what’s coming next. Most importantly, it has a story and characters.”
Strip away the gore and kill shots and fans still clamor for such old-fashioned qualities in horror. Too often, moviemakers take Barker’s work and strip away the key storytelling elements, Kitamura says. It’s one of the reasons why Barker’s books lost their commercial clout for a while.
Marc Fratto (Zombies Anonymous) takes a pessimistic view of horror’s immediate future, arguing that the genre’s farm system is frighteningly thin.
“Talk to moviemakers just getting out of film school today and they look at horror movies negatively,” he says. While Fratto grew up on the horror classics of the 1970s and early 1980s, today’s emerging directors feasted on inferior fare. “They associate horror movies with Jason Takes Manhattan,” he notes.
Horror movies of Fratto’s era flew under the studios’ radars, allowing greater independence for the moviemakers to do as they pleased. The results were uneven but sometimes spectacular (witness 1974’s groundbreaking The Texas Chain Saw Massacre). But when films like John Carpenter’s Halloween hit pay dirt, the Hollywood system began to see the profit possibilities and stepped in.
The result, according to Fratto, is that “Horror movies have become more mainstream, less independent. Studios have a little more control over them.”
The creative freedom given to directors participating in Showtime’s “Masters of Horror” series, which recently morphed into NBC’s “Fear Itself,” is part of the appeal that is driving major horror talent to television. The directors “knew they wouldn’t be subject to the same development steps that come with the traditional studio process,” says Keith Addis, an executive producer on both series who has worked with the likes of Joe Dante (Gremlins), John Landis (An American Werewolf in London), John Carpenter (Halloween) and Tobe Hooper (Poltergeist).
When Carpenter directed his first “Masters of Horror” episode, he sought out Addis and fellow executive producer Andrew Deane after discovering an actor he wanted to cast in his story. “You don’t need our approval,” Addis told him, much to Carpenter’s shock.
1 of 2 |
Digg
StumbleUpon
Facebook
Del.icio.us
Reddit
YahooAdvertisement
COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT 
- Comment by Mike Everleth on 8/02/08 at 8:47 pm
Gotta feel sorry for Kitamura regarding his comments in this article after Lionsgate dumped “Midnight Meat Train” this weekend. Also, while I thought it was interesting that nobody commented on the trend of PG-13 horror film remakes, I hope the folks who think first-person POV films are the wave of the future are dead wrong. As much as I enjoyed “Diary of the Dead,” I don’t really want to see watered-down versions of that style.
Horror will rise again. It always does. Personally, given many of the ambitious young shorts filmmakers I’ve seen work by recently and have reviewed on my site, I think the trend is going to go more introspective, subdued and intimate. Some very thoughtful horrormakers are out there just waiting to be discovered.
- Comment by Armando Valle on 8/07/08 at 10:48 am
Very good article. I’ve posted a response at Horror-101.com. As an aspiring indie horror filmmaker, I agree on many of the points of this article, and I sincerely hope that good horror will rise again.
- Comment by toby on 8/25/08 at 11:05 am
This is an interesting article. To me the low quality of horror movie in the hollywood probably due to the level of superstition in the US is still low. As compared to Asian such as Thailand, Korea and Japan, the US horror films need more tactic to deploy the superstition factor in to those movies. We can see that through the copycat of Japanese movie the Ring and the Thai movie: the shutter.
In short, I think probably the Hollywood movie directors need to learn more from the Asian horror films.
- Comment by fairings on 8/26/08 at 8:36 pm
I am not a big fan of horror movies so i really haven’t missed them yet. I think what Toby said is true. Movie makers should learn from their Asian counterparts.
- Comment by Alan Denman on 10/03/08 at 2:32 pm
The horror genre is the perfect vehicle to explore the shadow aspect of the human psyche and will never die. The themes and archetypes are incredibly rich. The genre allows us to journey from the inner unconscious night world to the outer conscious day world, back and forth. As long as we as filmmakers and storytellers are in touch with our own shadow selves, we will tell great stories!
- Comment by Chris on 10/10/08 at 12:44 pm
I think that if the horror market is going to make a come back then the story is king....most of the China/Japan product that has come out in the last 5-8 years has been remakes of old Twilight Zone and Night Gallary stories from USA TV in the 60s and 70s. Like in Politics today....if the US want to get back on top of the worlds, (horror wise) all that needs to be done is to remember the masters of old and do a good job in bringing those stories into todays USA mind set.
- Comment by Wolfe on 10/11/08 at 11:36 am
The decline of horror films has it’s roots in multiple reasons. One major reason is Major studios have milked horror icons for all their worth and putting out crap films like Jason X (As a great example). Instead of actually trying to get decent scripts and plots they instead will toss names into a film hoping it will do well. Couple that with the fact that a lot of the Studios are hesitant to make R rated Horror films and instead make PG-13 safe horror films that are so watered down it removes the thrill aspect of the film. Viewers get turned off and instead turn towards the straight to DVD films from independent filmmakers. As someone that is looking to break into the Horror Genre as an independent I am not deluding myself into thinking anything I do will be theatrically released.
- Comment by Essay on 10/19/08 at 9:20 am
I personally found Hostel II one of the very best movies of the year gone by. However, with more and more mainstream movies hitting the coffers, it is indeed tough for horror movies to survive and make a niche.
- Comment by Ameda Breast Pump on 10/20/08 at 12:19 am
Sad to hear that because I thought Hostel was one of the best movies of 2007.
- Comment by Electric Guitar Pedals on 10/20/08 at 7:18 am
Sad to hear that. I always felt that Eli Roth’s movies would tick in the market.
- Comment by Caribbeancruiseholidays on 10/26/08 at 7:31 pm
I still think that it is too early to classify the genre as dead. There is a strong backing behind these movies and they will dominate in the times ahead.
- Comment by ticnet on 10/30/08 at 5:55 am
Hoped, Hotell II be more than “horror”. In my opinion, Hollywood tries to include everything: sex, romance, horror, comedy, but not continly or specifically one thing. Therefore, i love watching Chinese movie of fighting, where detaily shows the horror scenes.
Also, I think, having tons of dollars, hollywood has a great petentials of making “reall, one-breath horror films”. The hostel, though, was a good attempt- Comment by cool games on 11/10/08 at 2:41 pm
Yep. I like this horror story. Hmm.. everything is fine..There is a strong backing behind these movies and they will dominate in the times ahead.
- Comment by Tony Tohme on 11/11/08 at 1:19 pm
I liked Cloverfield. But I didn’t love it because of the “first person camera” thing. I love playing 1st person shooters, but “1st person movies” make me dizzy!
I think horror movies aren’t becoming hits because we have seen a lot of horror in our lives already. We are immune.- Comment by thinker on 11/14/08 at 2:55 pm
All these horror movies are pretty alike, I should say.
Asian are much better.- Comment by great on 11/16/08 at 3:07 am
I did not like this film. It is too simple and does not make you think.
- Comment by budget web hosting on 11/28/08 at 3:05 am
Really great script… Till now i have watched more than 100 horror movies.. I have found hostel II is the best movie..
thanks..
regards,- Comment by Reverse Phone Searches on 12/01/08 at 1:53 pm
This is really awesome script mate..Thanks for sharing this beautiful script..
regards,
Reverse Phone Searches- Comment by SinglesDigest on 12/01/08 at 2:41 pm
Well i prefer Hostel than hostel 2 as the script of hostel itself rules the movie
simply enjoyed it
SinglesDigest- Comment by SSN Locator on 12/02/08 at 3:10 pm
Yes even i prefer Hostel to Hostel2 what SinglesDigest has said is exactly right
SSN Locator- Comment by magic tricks on 12/03/08 at 3:05 pm
Yes thats absolutely true what SinglesDigest has said
Hostel is more horrifying than Hostel 2
thanks for sharing
magic tricks- Comment by MLM Traffic Formula on 12/04/08 at 2:44 pm
Hostel 2 was really horrifying.
I love hostel too, simply superb
thanks for sharing
regards- Comment by car wallpapers on 12/06/08 at 12:50 pm
Hello sir, i have seen more than 20 horror movies..Till now my best movie is Hostel..
thanks.
regards,
Car wallpapers- Comment by no monkey business review on 12/08/08 at 1:29 pm
Hostel was really horrifying compared to hostel2
Thanks for sharing- Comment by free footy on 12/11/08 at 4:41 am
I liked Cloverfield. But I didn’t love it because of the “first person camera” thing. I love playing 1st person shooters, but “1st person movies” make me dizzy!
free footy- Comment by Wii Fit in Stock on 12/12/08 at 12:50 am
This is really interesting article..Horror will rise again. It always does. Personally, given many of the ambitious young shorts filmmakers I’ve seen work by recently and have reviewed on my site, I think the trend is going to go more introspective, subdued and intimate. Some very thoughtful horrormakers are out there just waiting to be discovered.
thanks..
regards,
Wii Fit in Stock- Comment by zeolite on 12/17/08 at 2:41 am
“The end is near. I hear a noise at the door, as of some immense slippery body lumbering against it. It shall not find me. God, that hand! The window! The window!”
- Comment by water damage denver on 12/22/08 at 10:12 pm
The first cycle of horror movies will always be a classic, and no movie will ever live up to that feeling of sheer fright and the subsequent feeling of nostalgia a moviegoer got when recalling the classic.
None of the current “horror” movies have gotten me. The scripts are dumb, and the acting is usually performed by a group of teenagers or young adults who deliver lackluster performances.
- Comment by gerwinters on 12/24/08 at 7:37 am
Good horror will always find a fan base and not always wind up constrained to a blockbuster Hollywood dull formula to have success. Look at any Indy film site, plenty of great horror and yes I think the Asian sensibility is fresh and exciting, especially on my list is “Sick Nurses.” I just completed my feature “Clownstrophobia,” and it’s filled with reflections and psycho-dramatic subtext...and yes it’s plenty twisted and gorey. You can have it all so keep doing it!
- Comment by outdoor antenna on 12/24/08 at 3:02 pm
For the last several years I have felt the same way. We need something fresh! You watch..some young director will come up with a new idea on how to scare us and then we will have a boatload of horror movies. This will start the next phase.
- Comment by kid on 12/29/08 at 1:07 pm
Hostel is a great film.
- Comment by TCS Hosting on 1/05/09 at 5:23 pm
Fantastically done! Great one! I love horror films!
- Comment by water damage chicago on 1/22/09 at 12:26 am
I love horror movies, but there are no recently released movies that have gotten me like they used to. Maybe it’s because I was younger and more afraid back when Freddy was around, or maybe it’s the stupid script and crappy acting.
- Comment by Dora Toys on 3/20/09 at 3:14 pm
I love the whole horror movie thing. BTW, I love the picture at the top of the page!!
- Comment by Dylan on 3/23/09 at 12:15 am
What they need to do is stop putting in that stupid dramatic sounding piano music in the background in the new horror movies it makes it seem like a drama. puut Scary music not sad music. Another thing they need to do is quit it with the cgi effects and use realistic looking props. In order to have a good horror movie you need scary music to set the mood and gore and a good cast/ script. This is why I stick to old horror movies they have all these qualities.
- Comment by Maty on 4/20/09 at 4:16 pm
Man that movie was really discusting. I would rather watch a movie about half man half fish. Maaaaan! order error nuker software
- Comment by abercrombie on 7/01/09 at 2:41 am
Hope to be better. Better means more features.
- Comment by ed hardy on 7/17/09 at 3:35 am
This is great news. Best of luck for the future and keep up the good work links of london
- Comment by Electric Breast Pump on 2/15/10 at 1:33 pm
ive never really been a fan of horror movies. all those BUMPS they put in just to make people jump, then giggle, and feel like they’re scared. i think a movie is scary when it actually gets into your head and makes you contemplate the action rather than just being scared of a noise.
This story was published in the Summer 2008 MovieMaker Magazine. The headline was:
Terrifying Times for Horror Movie Fans
Order this issue | Subscribe to MM
posted 12.14.09
posted 11.13.09
posted 10.22.09
SITE DELIVERY OPTIONS
