The Next Step
As with all forms or artistic experimentation and expression, horror films became much more controversial and gutsy as the yeas passes. Through the 60's and 70's, horror films ventured a little further afield to horrify and offend audiences; renowned ‘classics’ such as ‘The Exorcist’ (1973) saw gruesome scenes involving demonic possession of a child which saw her using extreme profanity, self-harming, projectile vomiting and her body becoming damaged and twisted as the film progresses. It is films such as these which have kept horror fans on the edge of their seats; even in times which audiences feel what they are seeing is ‘too much’, horror has certainly delivered when it comes to upsetting viewers and giving them what they came for – ‘unexpected terror’.
These recognisable creatures have changed in appearance throughout time, but their purpose and function have always remained the same – to terrify. The vampire that preys in the night, the wolf man that stalks the countryside and the tortured souls who haunt the living are but a few of the recognisable ghouls that we have seen re-imagined again and again over the years.
Modern Monsters
It is only in recent years however, that we have seen a trend in films applying our beloved horror monsters in a new light; applying vampires and werewolves to teen heartthrob actors and actresses in films such as the successful ‘Twilight’ series, and taming these creatures to become little more than ‘an edge’ to a particular character. We have seen alien creatures become surprisingly attractive in films such as ‘I am Number Four’, and the previously mentioned ‘Twilight’ shows the usually savage and unremorseful werewolf as more of a sizable husky. Many fans feel the writers and directors of these modern re-imaginings should be on the hunt for criminal defence solicitors after the murder of such renowned and infamous creatures.
Genuinely good horrors these days are few and far between and the proper application of the classic horror characters has not been displayed regularly for some time. With modern audiences who are interested in excessive gore and remakes of popular horror series’ (the ‘Saw’ series is a good example here) could it be that our classic horror characters are being forgotten? Or are they simply waiting for their time to come again?
This article was written on behalf of Gray & Co Criminal Defence Solicitors by Daniel Travis - Brown. Follow him on Twitter @DanTravisBrown
