Genre & Ideology in HORROR

Last lecture, my professor asked us this question: what is it in Horror that keeps us coming back for more?

My initial answer to this question: absolutely nothing.

I, rightfully so, have been in fear of horror films for, well, my entire life. For some reason In my college experience though, I thought I could somehow dodge horror as a genre while still pursuing my degree as a film major. Well, I was very wrong. Sure enough, the day came.

Let the Right One In

Thomas Alfredson (dir.)

As I forced myself to think of horror in a new light, I began to analyze and depict certain traits of the film with meaning I had never allowed (myself to watch far enough into a film so as to allow) its purpose to strike me. I as the viewer, the consumer, the absorber, would previously skim the surface and only allow my toes to get wet. I was so fearful of the possibility that the story line could somehow come to life.

Aside from the fact that I forced myself to sit through the film and look away when heads were being torn off, and aside from the fact that the film ended up being marvelous with visually pleasing imagery and a tasteful story line, aside from all of that, the one connection I found fascinating within my own experience was our abilities as humans to write violence off when depicted in a manner that seems impossible. This film was about vampires. As far as I am concerned vampires are a manifestation of the human psyche, therefore I was able to sit throughout the entire film, blood, guts, and all. Where as if the film was strictly about a child with serious psychological issues and a craving/intention to kill; if the film led us to image after image of this boy on a killing spree, I would have most likely walked out because there is a chance that this story line could become a reality, and that is scary. The idea that the female protagonist was a vampire and needed these peoples blood to survive off of, forces the audience to sympathize her and to grow a relationship, an attachment to her. Making it difficult to hate or be fearful of her.