Horror movies are the unsung heroes of cinema, and while terrifying, they are so much more than a good scare. In the last five years, masterpieces such as Barbarian, X, Pearl, The Substance, and Nope, among many others, have brought horror to the forefront of critical praise. But what makes horror such an expansive and brilliant genre?
Personally, I used to hate horror movies, mainly due to the scare factor. Even now, there will be times when I’m watching a scary movie and I have to look away, but I have truly come to appreciate the genre. It transforms fears into physical adversaries that one must overcome, creating a tangible depiction of self-growth and discovery.
While some of my favorite horror movies have come from the last decade alone, some of the greatest examples of horror cinema can be found throughout film history, from the dawn of cinema to the golden age of slashers and the rise of documentary-style horror, such as The Blair Witch Project.
Each horror movie tackles different fears and societal issues in unique ways, such as grief in Midsommar, wealth disparity in Parasite, or aging in The Substance. Demonstrating the truly versatile nature of the horror universe.
In the century that the Oscars have been awarding movies for their accolades, six horror movies have been nominated for Best Picture, with the only winner being The Silence of the Lambs. This was a major milestone for horror movies, because while there are films in this genre that have been nominated for numerous categories, especially in the technical fields (SFX, costuming, sound mixing, etc.), none had, or have, reached the level of recognition in the way The Silence of the Lambs once did.
Speaking of Special Effects, or SFX, I find that one of the most astonishing aspects of horror movies is the practical effects they are able to achieve. One of the most recent movies to display a true dedication to practical effects and horror makeup is The Substance. They were able to not only replicate rapid aging, but also every effect, down to the injection of the “substance,” was done practically.
Before, when I refused to watch horror movies based on the fearful aspects, namely jump scares, I pivoted my focus to the artistry of makeup and practical effects. Seeing the improvement of gory makeup from Friday the 13th to Hereditary is exceptionally impressive, and while it can be seen as boring to look at the more productional elements of scary movies, it can really put things into perspective.
Horror movies are much more impactful than they are made out to be. While people often reference slashers as being the epitome of horror, though I do love a good slasher film, horror holds weight and maneuvers through topical and troubling events. They are not confined to being watched during Halloween, and I think they deserve more credit than they are given.
Horror films tackle topics just as well as dramas or period pieces. As they transform fears of discrimination, beauty standards, and loneliness into visible monsters, ghouls, and killers that protagonists can conquer.
Horror isn’t just meant for cheap scares but for insightful filmmaking.
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