Cult Classics: Horror movie classics set the gruesome tone for the newer generation of films that soon followed in their footsteps.
The Exorcist (1973): A movie that frightened the earlier generations as teens. Regan (Linda Blair), a young girl possessed by an evil spirit when using the Ouija Board, creates a frightening nightmare for her mother and those trying to explain her erratic behavior. During its time, “The Exorcist,” was a controversial, blasphemous film because of its demeaning nature to religious beliefs and the use of a young actress that had stretched the boundaries of right and wrong.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974): A true story told of a real life serial killer, Ed Geins. Although the plot of the movie was blurred into fiction, Leather Face was indeed based off of the latter. In 1974, the movie was banned from many countries and cities because of its controversial depiction of violence and its influence on the horror movie genre. The Times listed “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” as one of the top 50 most controversial films of all time.
Halloween (1978): The movie that set the tone for up and coming slasher films. “Halloween” is an independent film written, scored, produced and directed by John Carpenter (director of “The Thing” and “Christine”). Michael Myers is a crazed killer who will stop at nothing to end his family’s bloodline.
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984): A killer that only murdered his victims in their dreams, set the tone in the slasher movie industry because Freddy Kruger was one of the main killers who was not mute. “A Nightmare On Elm Street” is the second highest grossing horror franchise, the first being “Friday the 13th.”
The Rebirth of Horror: After many of the cult classics began to die down because of their comedic sequels, the horror genre would need to bend the rules and think of a new plan, which is exactly what these following movies did.
Scream (1996): Wes Craven (director of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Last House on the Left”) was apprehensive at first to direct another horror film until he was given the screenplay for “Scary Movie,” which was the original title. “Scream” would bring a new perspective for slasher films and would revive the horror genre from its deathbed. “Scream” left moviegoers guessing who the murder was under the Ghost Face mask until the very end. It set the tone for more movies that soon followed in its footsteps, such as “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Urban Legend,” “Valentine” and many more.
Modern Horror Movies: Now there are no rules to what the horror genre will bring forth. Aliens, Zombies, Vampires, Ghosts and Demons, insane killers, etc. from all walks of life. All of these have one thing in common; to scare the audience and to make sure they are afraid of every day occurrences.
Saw (2004): A movie that reigned terror on those who did not appreciate the simple things in life. Jigsaw, a man that heightened the senses of those he kidnapped, placed his victims in puzzling traps that would give them one simple rule: to follow the rules. Although Jigsaw never truly cold-heartedly kills any of his victims by his own hands, he always gave those he put into traps the option to live, but for a price. Survival was Jigsaw’s goal for his victims, because he wanted them to learn from their wrong doings.
The Strangers (2008): A movie that defied all reasoning for the death of three victims. In the past, there was a main reason in the point of view of a mass murder. Now, it is “The Strangers” that brought blood sport to the big screen. A couple returns home from their friends’ wedding reception only to be tortured and abused by three strangers in masks. The killers’ motives for murdering the couple were simple: they were bored and the couple happened to be home.
The Season of Horror Movie Remakes: Although cult classics will remain as such, technology’s advancement brought forth a generation that will only laugh at the older horror genre movies. Many remakes to the classics were made, and while staying true to the nature of each original’s storyline, they intensified the blood, gore, torture, and pure shock value of each film.
A few others include:
Halloween (2007) – Written and directed by Rob Zombie
Friday the 13th (2009) – Directed by Marcus Nispel
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) – Directed by Samuel Bayer
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) – Directed by Marcus Nispel
Dawn of the Dead (2004) – Directed by Zach Snyder
The Hills Have Eyes (2006) – Directed by Alexandre Aja
The Last House on the Left (2009) – Directed by Dennis Eliadis
