Horror movies making scary statements

Although often regarded as a low or uncultured form of entertainment, recent horror movies have included more social commentary than one might expect. From Black directors like Jordan Peele criticizing American racism through films like Get Out and Nope, to Jane Schoenbrun and Julia Ducorneau calling attention to the body horror of gender in I Saw the TV Glow and Titane, respectively; investigating what a culture is afraid of can be an excellent way of commenting on the issues that plague it. 

It could also be argued that, even if unintentional, all horror movies are reflective of the time and place in which they were produced–while grimy flicks like SAW or Hostel may seem all splatter and no substance, their nihilistic attitude is deeply reflective of post-9/11 American culture. The same could be said of the slasher trend of the ’70s and ’80s, when Cold War anxieties caused filmmakers to turn their gaze on the evil that could lurk in any ordinary suburbia. 

In turn, this commentary (whether consciously or not) can affect how movie viewers see the world. Junior Shojoon Naseri noted that “we all consume media, and the media we consume can give us insight to, or at least affect, our views.” 

For better or for worse, viewers may internalize attitudes or ideas reflected in the movies they watch. That’s not to say that enjoying the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies means a whole-hearted endorsement of cannibalism, but it is important to be conscious of what one takes away from the art they take in. 

For example, a common trope in 20th century horror films is that of the murderous crossdresser, seen notably in Dressed to Kill and The Silence of the Lambs, to name a few. In these movies, the killer’s non-conformity to gender is directly tied to their, well, killing. This isn’t representative of reality at all (which Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, even mentions in The Silence of the Lambs, noting that “transsexuals…are very passive”), but it’s not hard to imagine that these movies may have influenced the fear mongering we see today surrounding transgender individuals, intentionally or otherwise. 

Ultimately, though, there are still many horror movies that are completely devoid of social commentary. That’s not a bad thing at all—in many cases, people just want to watch something mindless and scary when they turn on a horror flick. Sophomore Dar Hertel prefers “to just watch a horror movie, and not a horror movie with bits of social commentary sprinkled throughout. The over-the-top special effects and scary story of the movie tends to drown out the message, if there is one.” 

Both philosophies of horror filmmaking can coexist (sometimes even within the same movie, for Cronenberg fans!) The diversity of the horror genre is its strength: there’s a seemingly-endless amount of subgenres and styles for fans to choose from, and each preference is valid. Whether you’re looking to have your mind blown by social commentary or just watch somebody else’s get hacked off, you’ll definitely have plenty to choose from this Halloween season.