Editorial: In Response to Fangoria: Are Horror Films Supposed to be Scary or Fun?
By Marc Patterson – Managing Editor
Fangoria posted a rather interesting article last night asking the question as to whether horror films are supposed to be scary or fun. I have to admit, it’s a question that I think about from time to time as given the number of horror films I watch there is very little that comes along that manages to scare me, or even raise my pulse. So what is it that I look for in a good horror film? Well, to get to that I have to address the very question at hand first.
To be honest, I don’t really like the question. I’m not snubbing Fangoria, but scary or fun? The question itself boxes us into a corner and gives us little room to explore this idea. I don’t think I could offer up an honest answer either way. To ask this implies that these are our only two options on the question. Fact is, when I sit down to a horror film, it could be for a variety of reasons, but it’s almost always for entertainment. And you know, “entertainment” seems a much better word as opposed to either scary or fun. It opens up the playing field and allows for a real variety of viewing experiences.
Sometimes I’m looking for a tension ridden thrill ride along the lines of what Inside offered up. The first time I saw that film I had little expectations, but was blown away by the sheer intensity it offered up. Them (Ils) was another bit of cinema that had me white-knuckling my way through most of the film. And Eden Lake? I distinctly remember being so pissed off by the way the film ended that I got up and chucked the DVD across the room in anger. Thankfully it didn’t break because I quickly realized that any film that could evoke such a strong reaction was a damn fine film. Each of these films make great examples of some genuine thrills being offered up even if they didn’t haunt my sleep afterward.
And then there are times when I want a splatterific good time. I think back to over this past summer where I managed to make the ninety minute trek to the New Hampshire coastline to meet up with Bryan from Cinema-Suicide.com, who was projecting Blood Diner guerilla drive-in style, onto the back of a gas station wall. It was a real community style experience with a small group of folks who turned out to kick back in lawn chairs and have a fun time as a group. We laughed, jeered, and hung out and talked both before and after the showing. Clearly this isn’t horror that was supposed to scare. This was truly one of those “fun” moments that we unfortunately don’t get too often outside of a convention atmosphere.
And then there are times where I really want to be challenged on a more intellectual level, and that’s what really good art house horror is for. I just did an Editor’s Choice article for I Stand Alone. Here’s a film that wasn’t going to scare me, but sure as hell wasn’t going to be fun either. Martyrs is another tough film that raised some serious questions surrounding the basic philosophies of the filmmaking and got people really talking. And that’s a great thing when that happens. Deadgirl had that same effect on people. Conversation raged about whether the film was cheap misogynistic trash, or whether it was a more powerful coming of age story with serious sub-text commentary on gender.
In the end when I’m watching a film either to review it or just enjoy it, whether I consider it to be a good film or not comes down to one criteria and one alone: Did I have a good time? Regardless of whether I’m looking to be scared, thrilled, challenged, or just have a hilatious time, if the film fails to entertain then it just fails.
