What is horror? . . . and this isn't as stupid as it sounds

[C-Desecration-]

Threads like this have been through the mill, a few by me (I think). Anyway, I just wanted to start it up again:
What is horror?
I mean, as a genre. Part of the bad rep horror gets is because its too closely associated with "slash". And before you start bitching about Scream and I Know What you Did Last Summer, I'm also talking about Fridays, Halloweens, and Nightmare's (the sequels to the latter). Slash. Horror. They're interchangeable. If I knew even less than I already do, and someone came up saying "You wanna see The Texas Chainsaw Massacre?" I'd immediately picture drinking with friends and laughing because of the ridiculousness of it all.
Hell, I even do that now. And I'm a fan of the genre.

Horror's for a bunch of youths that idolize manson (marylon . . . or however you spell it) and pierce their noses and wear pale makeup.
Look at yourself. You fit that mold?
No . . .
So what gives? If a girl who's perky, uppity, and seems generally like a ray of sunshine tells me she likes horror, I recoil. Wha? How is that possible! You don't look suicidal!
Hmm . . .

Then again, its odd that the schmoes in this forum seem more 'into' (horror) movies in general than those in other threads; people that would not only watch more films, but go to conventions and the like. I've never done that. Maybe conventions have negetive stereotypes that aren't true, too. Maybe not. But there is a connection with horror and what's generally 'geekiness' or obsession. This goes back to the 'weird, depressed youth' stereotype associated with horror.
Donnie Darko: comedic suspense-drama
Session 9: cerebral drama
Sixth Sense/Signs: pyschological thrillers
Requiem for a Dream: drama
. . . those should all be horror. I'm sure some disagree that requiem's horror, yet the entire tale is basically meant to - say it with me - horrify. The genres are getting muddled and pushed together into a field of sub-genres (action-adventure-comedy-horror-drama-fantasy-epic), and horror's getting the worst treatment.

Now nobody's surprised that I'm really going nowhere here. This is just something I occasionally wonder about, so why not through some stuff out on the horror board and see what the schmoes think?
Why not indeed.

[Hell Phantom]

horror is horror...

[Romero&Juliet]

Appearences can be decieving..

I dont see why people pay soo much freaking attention to the horror stereotype. Anyone who's been around here for more than a month (or knows a lot of horror fans - which is unlikely) should know that its a pile of bull.


I've never been to a horror convention (and I WILLLL eventually), but I can only imagine their being the BE ALL/END ALL of coolness.

[bowieee]

Originally posted by Romero&Juliet
Appearences can be decieving..

I dont see why people pay soo much freaking attention to the horror stereotype. Anyone who's been around here for more than a month (or knows a lot of horror fans - which is unlikely) should know that its a pile of bull.


I've never been to a horror convention (and I WILLLL eventually), but I can only imagine their being the BE ALL/END ALL of coolness.

The San Diego Comic Con has a huge horror fan following and I've met some damn cool people walking those aisles. I think society just has to typecast every single fucking thing and horror fans like many other groups get "profiled".

[PsychoFreak]

I wouldn't be so stereotypical C, Looking how you are has nothing to do with horror, i loved horror when i was 7 years old, and i look completely different to how i looked then, and it had nothing to do with horror movies. Horror is a form of entertainment, 'cos people like being scared.

[C-Desecration-]

I wouldn't be so stereotypical C, Looking how you are has nothing to do with horror


I was a little worried my first post might make the impression that I'm basically saying horror fans are nerds. That's not true at all. I was just saying the main stereotypes - true or not - and curious as to how they all came about.
But honestly, the example with the uppity girl--that's true. And keep in mind I love the genre and know that the majority of fans aren't depressed youths, but still I get that knee-jerk reaction. The horror stereotype is still nailed into my brain for whatever reason.

Anyways, the only thing I said above that I DO still agree with is the level of fanatasism that seems a little more rampant in the horror genre. Just look around; many people here are so against mainstrem audiences it isn't even funny.
Art-house/Underground=odd youth/adult viewers
A stereotype, and one that's quickly fading and almost gone (thank God).

I'm just throwing out all these odd little tidbits and seeing what you guys/gals think. I'm not in any way backing up these stereotypes or trying to accuse you all of following them.

[Fettdog]

For me, horror is anything that makes me feel uneasy, whether it's the physical sensation of seeing someone's head cut in two with a bandsaw (hello, Intruder! :D ), the tension when you see Michael Myers slowly fade out of the background behind Laurie in the original Halloween, the achingly depressing and bleak final scenes of Requiem For A Dream (which I won't detail so as not to spoil it for those who have yet to see this powerful film), or the realisation that life isn't always a happy ending, and that sometimes the bad guys do win (I'm thinking Se7en or Henry:Portrait of a Serial Killer)

That's my opinion anyway, and it works for me! :)

[spacemonkey]

Well Im a horror fan, but I look like a regular schmoe, I mean I dont paint my nails black or use black lipstick, not that Im against people doing that though, its just that me personally I dont.

Im not depressive either, well I think everyone harbors a level of sadness in their souls, but that doesnt mean Im depressive therefore I watch horror.

I just watch horror films, cause I love em, they are different, exciting and just plain fun. Everyone loves being scared, and they dont have to look or dress a certain way to enjoy that. But if they do thats fine, if they feel good like that fine.

Basically Im all about letting people be who they want to be.

[EvilDeadGirl]

I'm with Fettdog on this one. I would define a film as being "horror" if it gives me that uneasy feeling each time I watch it. Certain scenes sending shivers down my spine and making me afraid to be home alone or to venture down the hallway that for some reason looks a bit darker now after viewing certain movies.

The fans are stereotyped because "most" people would not consider it "normal" to be a big fan of the genre. I wasn't your average kid when I started to get more into the scene, I had the goth look, painted black nails, pale skin, always dressed in black (ok so not too much has changed.) Now that the genre has come more into the mainstream (Wrong Turn, TCM Remake, FVJ) it's become more accepted to be a fan of the genre than it once was.

Sorry guys n gals, kinda ramblin' here. :) Hope ya get what I'm tryin' to say.

[Corpse Candle]

Originally posted by Fettdog
For me, horror is anything that makes me feel uneasy, whether it's the physical sensation of seeing someone's head cut in two with a bandsaw (hello, Intruder! :D ), the tension when you see Michael Myers slowly fade out of the background behind Laurie in the original Halloween, the achingly depressing and bleak final scenes of Requiem For A Dream (which I won't detail so as not to spoil it for those who have yet to see this powerful film), or the realisation that life isn't always a happy ending, and that sometimes the bad guys do win (I'm thinking Se7en or Henry:Portrait of a Serial Killer)

That's my opinion anyway, and it works for me! :)

Yep I have to echo that sentement Fettdog and may I add I feel as much indifference to the people who place me in a horror sterotype as I feel toward the people I have killed in the last three years........................:p



..........And no of course I'm not being serious:rolleyes:

[KillerKlown]

Originally posted by C-Desecration-
But there is a connection with horror and what's generally 'geekiness' or obsession. This goes back to the 'weird, depressed youth' stereotype associated with horror.


That's true to a certain extent, but there are 'geeks' in so many other areas: console gaming, comics, star wars, star trek, lord of the rings, etc. This isn't resticted to the realms of media, as there are 'geeks' who are obsessed with cars...Although the term 'boy racer' is more appropriate, but the principle remains the same as far as I'm concerned.

Anyway, I've loved horror since as far back as I can remember and when I've mentioned in passing conversation to workmates on my collection of horror movies, they've always commented: "You don't look like the type of person who would be into that sort of thing." - As if I would need to dress like a goth, dye my hair (If I had any!) and paint my fingernails black to meet their expectations of a horror fan's appearance.

[martyds761]

OK. This is a strang mixed subject for me. I agree w/ what everyone has said so far. It's the unease, the rush and anything in between. As for me, I was severly injured as a child in a car wreck and spent a great deal of time in a hospital. During that time the most controversial thing we were allowed to watch was Price is Right 'gag'.
After I finished rehab stuff I fell in love w/ the genre. I don't look like a "horror/goth" person and am often mistaked for a sports jock/drama person. Anyway, the fact is, horror is fun, exciting and a world to escape into when everything else is shitty. It's enjoyable and entertainment unless it's real and even then it's entertainment in a sick way.
I'm rambling. Anyway, horror is horror and I love it!

[spizznittlebam]

Dude horror is fackin horror. I have loved watching horror movies since i was ten years old. Im not piercin my testies or nething. I just love the drama, suspense, and intensity that I feel when I watch those movies. \M/ Rock on!

[Juice]

Well, the original meaning of horror as a genre, is that is supposed to scare its viewers.

Monsters, blood and axes have nothing to do with it; it's all about fear.

[Juice]

Btw, this leads to the conclusion that 'supernatural thrillers' simply do not exist. Every movie that has been called supernatural thriller (The Sixth Sense etc) is really a horrormovie. There has never been made a supernatural thriller. Pretty funny if you think about that :)

[Luke-Abbott]

Originally posted by C-Desecration-
Horror's for a bunch of youths that idolize manson (marylon . . . or however you spell it) and pierce their noses and wear pale makeup.
Look at yourself. You fit that mold?
No . . .
So what gives? If a girl who's perky, uppity, and seems generally like a ray of sunshine tells me she likes horror, I recoil. Wha? How is that possible! You don't look suicidal!
Hmm . . .


Really? You mean I have to actually LIKE Marlyin Manson to be a horror fan? I have to look sucidial to be accepted as a horror fan?
This is what gets me, I've been a fan of horror for as far as I can remember. I may wear the occasional studded bracelet and "evil" necklace everynow and then but I am nowhere near a goth. Not that I'm saying being a goth is a bad thing (some of my mates are goths) but when it comes to horror people think it to be quite stereotypical.

Like you said C-Desecration, if a girl doesn't have black nail varnish and wears nothing but pink and yet shes a horror fan, people become surprised because she isn't into the whole death metal side of things. Just because she isn't a goth or whatever doesn't mean she doesn't like horror one bit.

Horror is horror, its a genre of types like fantasy, sci-fi, comedy and romance. Nothing more, nothing less. But why does it get frowned upon by so many people? Its just any other type of genre out there like I've said.

Thats what gets me, people think you have to wear nothing but black to like horror. Not true, horror is just something people like to watch. Theres nothing wrong with that.

And I hope you don't think I was taking a stab at you C-Desecration, I was just expanding my thoughts on a certain subject matter you brought up.

[skweemkween]

Originally posted by Luke-Abbott



Horror is horror, its a genre of types like fantasy, sci-fi, comedy and romance. Nothing more, nothing less. But why does it get frowned upon by so many people? Its just any other type of genre out there like I've said.

.

Horror gets frowned upon because of the times our society lives in the past 30 years. Our country has given birth to the reign of the lawyer. And it is their job to make the public overly aware of the wrongess of things in our culture. If you can successfully prove that something innate is responsible for irreparable damage then Lawyers could plant the seed that grew paranoia like ubran sprawl and convinced mental health institutions, churches, educational systems, media outlets, and finally, our government - that horror is a deviation. And deviation is frowned up. Deviation is considered unhealthy and corrupt. And corruption is dangerous because it means we are no longer in control. If we are no longer in control, we are a walking time bomb. This is why social groups roll their eyes at the horror fan and the horror genre. Because what causes fear and uncomfortableness is something to be repulsed by. It is ugly and ugliness is a deviation from healthy. It may look like an all too big connect-the-dots - and an overgeneralization. But overgeneralizing is what society does. Things have to be compartmented and categorized, because sometimes, that is the only way cultures can cope. This is why horror will always be generalized and blamed- for literally everything. Somtimes the blame is warranted, but often times, it's not.

[ERIN_LoJ]

Originally posted by bowieee
The San Diego Comic Con has a huge horror fan following and I've met some damn cool people walking those aisles. I think society just has to typecast every single fucking thing and horror fans like many other groups get "profiled".

Exactemento my friend.

I have never been "goth". I used to like Marilyn Manson. I do listen to hard rock and the like. I do love horror and alll it entails. Horror books, movies, artwork. I am going to my first convention this year. Ect.

HOWEVER I look like a goody two shoes :/ And I'm a Christian, which some people comment on.

So whatever way you look at it, we're all people and people SHOULD be a yin/yang type deal; three dimensional, multi sided, ect. We're all made of darkness and light, good and bad, sexuality, obsession and morbidity.

Well the interesting folks are anyway:p

[ERIN_LoJ]

Originally posted by skweemkween
Horror gets frowned upon because of the times our society lives in the past 30 years. Our country has given birth to the reign of the lawyer. And it is their job to make the public overly aware of the wrongess of things in our culture. If you can successfully prove that something innate is responsible for irreparable damage then Lawyers could plant the seed that grew paranoia like ubran sprawl and convinced mental health institutions, churches, educational systems, media outlets, and finally, our government - that horror is a deviation. And deviation is frowned up. Deviation is considered unhealthy and corrupt. And corruption is dangerous because it means we are no longer in control. If we are no longer in control, we are a walking time bomb. This is why social groups roll their eyes at the horror fan and the horror genre. Because what causes fear and uncomfortableness is something to be repulsed by. It is ugly and ugliness is a deviation from healthy. It may look like an all too big connect-the-dots - and an overgeneralization. But overgeneralizing is what society does. Things have to be compartmented and categorized, because sometimes, that is the only way cultures can cope. This is why horror will always be generalized and blamed- for literally everything. Somtimes the blame is warranted, but often times, it's not.


Wow.

Depressing.

Yet true.

I should print that out and hang it on the wall

[C-Desecration-]

While I pretty much agree with the analysis skweem gave, this

This is why horror will always be generalized and blamed- for literally everything.

is starting to become a stereotype. Action films, cartoons, violent (not necessarily horror-themed) videogames, angry music, etc. are all being pinpointed as society's scape goat.
I think its more natural to assume that horror is generally frowned upon because WE SHOULDN'T LIKE IT. That's the bottom line. We shouldn't even make movies that explore torture and rape and other forms of brutality, but we do because of our intelligence; we're curious (that's why a young kid might pull legs off a bug; he wants to see what'll happen). We want to explore these scenarios in safe, controlled environments. Not only that, but out world's going down the shitter so we have to adapt, thus we subconsciously 'train' ourselves by desensitizing our emotions. Think about it. If you burst out in tears everytime you heard about a murder or kidnapping or rape etc. you wouldn't last very long; sure that behvaior would be the ideal, but in this world we need to be hardened to get by. Watching these movies (at least when we're young) helps give us enough rock on our hearts to cope.

We're just trying to adapt.

. . . am I still on topic?

[Juice]

Originally posted by Luke-Abbott
Really? You mean I have to actually LIKE Marlyin Manson to be a horror fan? I have to look sucidial to be accepted as a horror fan?

That's not what he said...

Like you said C-Desecration, if a girl doesn't have black nail varnish and wears nothing but pink and yet shes a horror fan, people become surprised because she isn't into the whole death metal side of things. Just because she isn't a goth or whatever doesn't mean she doesn't like horror one bit.

Although it really doesn't have anything to do with the topic...

Marilyn Manson, death metal en goths have nothing to do with each other. They're like Britney Spears, trance and hip hop fans.

[Inglorious]

When I was younger I always looked at horror as something that got my attention, scared me. I would watch.. say A Nightmare On Elm Street with the knowing fact that at night I would be scared if my mom didn't sleep with me. But I did it anyway! And then, 10 years later, I am still watching horror, not just the Nightmare On Elm Street types anymore either, but even the Donnie Darko, The Eye, Audtiton, even Underworld type horror movies. I have evolved into it, and just as Fett said, horror is anything that gets a scary or uneasy rise out of you, showing you that sometimes the bad guy really does win.

Here is also a mention to American Psycho, where sometimes in horror you are just left confused, and yet the movie is filled with violence and starnge events. Another favorite of mine.