Getting people into genres – Horror
As an avid film fan, nothing pleases me more than introducing friends and family to a lesser known film that becomes their new favourite, and I am sure that most of our readers share this same simple pleasure. However, there are times when our uneducated friends (only when it comes to film, I’m not saying our friends are stupid!) will refuse to watch a film based on their personal preferences or feelings towards a specific genre or actor. It is often far easier to give in and submit to watching the latest blockbuster to appease their needs but I love the challenge of gradually opening someone’s eyes to the incredible variety of films that are out there. In this guide I will tackle a number of genres and describe my tactics of how to sneakily get someone to enjoy a genre they would normally avoid at all costs.
Horror is my favourite genre and I enjoy nothing more than plunging an unsuspecting friend/victim head first into films such as Inside or [Rec] to see how they can handle the more intense films of the genre. However, this is a somewhat cruel, if entertaining, approach, which may put the viewer off horror films for a long time to come, so here is my guide to a gentle approach which should turn most scaredy cats into intrepid horror fans if all goes well.
This is one of the most difficult genres to turn people on to; if someone dislikes being terrified and doesn’t get their kicks from the twisted humour of the genre then it can take a lot of work to persuade them to watch anything even remotely scary. Although dark humour is synonymous with the genre there are films out there which take a broader approach to their laughs, and the combination of horror with comedy is the perfect place to begin as this can lessen the impact of the scares and allow our viewer to enjoy a film they would usually shy away from.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Why it works – It’s a classic kids film about Christmas, who can resist the charms of Tim Burton? You could also try Frankenweenie or Corpse Bride because if our viewer enjoys a Tim Burton film we can gradually point them in the direction of his darker, more adult orientated films.
Follow up with - Beetlejuice and Sleepy Hollow – Beetlejuice is hilarious and our viewer will probably soon forget they are watching a film about a ghost trying to rid the living from a crooked old house. Sleepy Hollow is much darker but the kooky charms of Johnny Depp and Burton should hopefully help our viewer to keep their eyes on the screen until the credits, and numerous heads, roll.
Ghostbusters
Why it works – This eighties classic has a universal appeal and whilst there are a few frightening scenes which may unnerve our viewer it is not straight up horror, and the comic aspect of the film will ensure they don’t end up reaching for the remote. The sequel is not quite up to scratch but can subject our viewer to more ghosts and ghouls if they enjoy the original and best.
Follow up with – Gremlins and The Hole – Gremlins is another fun eighties film that delivers a few unsettling sequences without being overly scary, and if our viewer enjoys this you should be ready to try out another Joe Dante horror, albeit one that relinquishes the laughs but is aimed at a younger audience and shouldn’t intimidate newcomers to the genre.
Shaun of the Dead
Why it Works – It’s a comedy starring those loveable rogues Simon Pegg and Nick Frost which is directed by the man who brought us Scott Pilgrim and Hot Fuzz! Despite the film revolving around the walking dead, the subject is broached in such a way that the elements of horror are unlikely to perturb even the most easily scared, and it is best pitched as a comedy to our unsuspecting viewer.
Follow up with – Zombieland and Tucker and Dale Vs Evil – Once our viewer has realised that films which make light of the horror genre can be very entertaining, you can up the ante with similar films that feature more gore and a few edge of your seat moments such as these two. Before you know it, you could be enjoying films such as Bad Taste and The Evil Dead together.
The Lost Boys
Why it works – In a world where there have been five twilight films, vampires and werewolves are no longer viewed as the same frightening creatures they once were, and we can take advantage of this by introducing our viewer to another teen vampire movie, even if it is darker than the aforementioned franchise. Almost everyone is familiar with The Goonies or Stand by Me, so it should be easy enough to get our viewer to watch another great film with a young cast featuring the likes of Corey Feldman and Kiefer Sutherland.
Follow up with – Interview with A Vampire and Let the Right One In – More adult orientated whilst looking at a similar aspect of the supernatural, the storytelling in these films takes precedent over the horror elements, meaning that our viewer is gradually introduced to some of the darker aspects of the genre. Both have their fair share of gruesome scenes but by this time our viewer should be more immune to such sequences.
Pan’s Labyrinth
Why it works – Pan’s Labyrinth is not a horror but contains a few unsettling sequences that would not be out-of-place in a horror film and the story is so compelling our viewer should overlook these creepy moments. As it combines a number of genres you can easily push it upon our viewer as a fantasy or a war film depending on their preferences, and if they end up enjoying the dark style of Del Toro our job will be made much easier.
Follow up with – The Devil’s Backbone and The Orphanage – Don’t get me wrong, these can be very creepy films, but the stories are both told in such a way that spirits are portrayed in a positive light and as beings that are not out to harm humans. If our viewer can sit through these it will open up the possibilities for more terrifying films, and maybe we can eventually move onto films that are bleak, depressing, and downright nasty…
So there you have it, what are you waiting for? Get out there and turn some unsuspecting sceptics into horror fans, it’s easier than it sounds and if you have success with any other films I will be interested to hear which films work for you.
Tom Bielby
Nice choices. I’m not the biggest horror fan in all honesty, so chances are I’d go for the kind of thing you’ve suggested here. I’d probably throw The Shining in there somewhere too. It’s not the scariest horror film in the world, but is still absolutely brilliant.
I agree that The Shining is a brilliant film Terry but I would consider it to be quite scary, especially for those unfamiliar with the genre. That bathroom scene gives me the creeps every time!
Like Terry I’m not the biggest fan of horror movies there is, but after seeing The Orphanage recently I’ve started to reconsider. Perhaps I’m more of a horror fan than I think after all?
There are a few good suggestions there on the list. I’ve seen several of them (and loved them) such as Pan’s Labyrinth, Let the Right One In and Interview with the vampire. But there are a couple I should check out.
It’s good to hear you are getting into horror Jessica, The Orphanage is probably the creepiest film I’ve included so I wouldn’t be surprised if you can handle scarier stuff. Horror doesn’t have to be all blood and gore which is what I’ve tried to avoid in my choices.
I feel like I’m repeating others, but I also am not a fan of horror movies, although I’m going to admit you’ve made some excellent choices and there are quite a lot of movies I’ve actually seen and liked
You guys are exactly the kind of people the article is aimed at so it’s good to know that even though you wouldn’t consider yourself a horror fan you appreciate the films I’ve picked. Thanks for the comment Nostra.
I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never seen The Lost Boys (although I have it on good authority that it’s pretty good…), and I wish the wife was keen to watch them too, because I never seem to see enough horror films for my liking. It might not be complete “horror” in the traditional sense, but the recent film The Strangers, starring Liv Tyler, scared the bejeezus out of me, so I guess that’s something like a horror film, right?
Don’t let Scott hear you say that you haven’t seen the lost boys! The Strangers is definitely a horror Rodney, and quite a creepy one in places so I’m sure you would enjoy all my suggestions above
So so so very glad that The Devil’s Backbone and The Orphanage both got a mention in this list! Those would definitely be a couple of films I’d throw out there.
Another good one is The Thing – the original one. Tried it out on a self-confessed non-horror fan and it was very much enjoyed.
The horror genre’s one of those genres that can be so hit and miss. When it’s right, it’s so very good, but can go bad so quickly. Also, when people think of horror they mostly think of gorefests like the Saw franchise or Hostel. Though… the first Saw film was brilliant.
Some great points there Jaina, The first Saw and Hostel were good at what they did but the franchises quickly became a parody of their former selves. Although gore can be entertaining, I always find that its the supernatural that is the most chilling.
The Thing is a brilliant film, not one that I would think of trying out on a non-horror fan but glad to hear they enjoyed it. If you like the devils backbone and the orphanage you should check out The Changeling if you haven’t seen it, it’s a very creepy and very underrated haunted house flick from the 80s.
If we are talking about horror-comedy then surely only the best the genre has to offer should be experienced to get a horror newbie into the genre. That means – the Granddaddy of the genre An American Werewolf In London followed up with most of Peter Jackson’s early work, Evil Dead 2 and Return of the Living Dead.
The best horror films are the scariest. There’s no point in hiding someone from the fact they are going to be terrified. Hit them with The Exorcist, Psycho, Rosemary’s Baby, The Omen, Carrie, Night of the Living Dead, The Blair Witch Project, Halloween, The Thing, A Nightmare On Elm Street, Hellraiser, Ring, Switchblade Romance…
You mention some brilliant films there Dan, I’m always wary of putting the scarier stuff on as a first viewing though, I wouldn’t want to put people off horror. I know someone who watched don’t look now and was so scared they now refuse to watch anything remotely scary and I would hate to put someone off my favourite genre! I agree that Jacksons early work is some of the best horror comedy but the gore factor could be a bit extreme for newbies to the genre.
Twilight has killed the vampire genre, for now. Interview with the Vampire and The Lost Boys are two of my favorite vamp flicks, but I still need to see Let the Right One In. I’m glad you left The Orphanage off this list; I was surprisingly really bored with that one.
I would argue that Let the Right One In is better than the lost boys and interview with a vampire so you should definitely seek it out when you get a chance Courtney
I’ve heard amazing things about Let the Right One in, so it’s definitely on my list. Lost Boys is great because of that 80s nostalgic feeling…the clothes…music…it’s a movie that has managed to age well.
Er excuse me… NOTHING IS BETTER THAN THE LOST BOYS!! heheh
The Lost Boys encompasses everything amazing. Talk about a good teen vampire flick.
Hi, Tom and company:
Excellent list!
I admire Courtney’s very astute observation about Vampires in recent films. I have to fall back on Murnau’s ‘Nosferatu’ for shadowy, creepy chills. Also Frank Langella’s ABC television version of ‘Dracula’ from 1979. That has the chills as well as the Vampire’s intriguing allure in a superb period piece.
Great horror treads the fine line between worldly and other worldly. With ‘Rosemary’s Baby’, ‘Suspiria’ and ‘The Shining’ taking the lead. With shadow, just out of frame goings on, sound and color given deft, suspenseful rein.
Also the lighting. A huge, claustrophobic part of Romero’s ‘The Night of the Living Dead’. Or the overall lack of it. As with ‘The Descent’.
Thanks for your kind words and insight Jack, vampires have been overdone and watered down lately, but we can always rely on the classics for solid chills.
I love a good claustrophobic horror like the ones you mention, and the soundtrack also plays a very big part in setting up the right atmosphere. I’ve not seen Langella’s Dracula but will make sure I seek it out.
I’ve always been open to horror
Spiritual films are the only genre i really avoid
I’ve always been open to horror too, ever since I stumbled upon The Gate in my pre-teens which shook me up at the time but gave me the horror bug. Nothing beats a good scare, right?!
For a non-horror fan I’ve actually seen all of them here except for The Nightmare Before Christmas which I will at some point as I love Corpse Bride! I actually did see a horror flick Daybreakers over the weekend so I do make an exception once in a while. Great post, Tom!
Hey Ruth, that’s good to hear that you’ve seen most on the list, I imagine that you would love the nightmare before Christmas and with xmas approaching now is the perfect time to watch it!
Wow Inside was a horrific film. I think that one could people off the genre for life!
Great selections here, I’d be tempted to add Arachnophobia and maybe at a squeeze even Jaws!