Where does fear come from? Why does this sense of sheer panic, mixed with urgency and an almost crippling uneasiness wash over us when something scares us? Is it because of some event that happened long ago in our lives; perhaps. Maybe fear is inherent in all of us, our brain pre-determined on what to freak out about. But the scariest stuff aren't monsters, aliens or robots, it's the people around us. It's reality that is most frightening. And the horror genre definitely makes use of that fact.
Horror movies based on real people or events add a special kind of freakiness to themselves. People watching these types of films usually say to themselves, "This could happen to ME!" with a bit more surety. We know giant spiders from planet Zumba-2 most likely aren't gonna eat us, but a serial killer? Well, maybe.
One of the premiere and most loved movies based on real events is THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. This movie showcased some kids being brutalized and tortured by Leatherface, a character whose countenance was covered by a mask made of human skin. This was based off of serial killer Ed Gein.
Gein is infamous for his killings, and his dealings with the bodies of his victims. He is said to have created lampshades with the skin, and to have had boxes filled with certain parts of the female anatomy.
The movie is very LOOSELY based off of him, no doubt, but the fact that a real man could do such unspeakable things always adds a unique touch to a film. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS' character, Buffalo Bill, is a somewhat more accurate portrayal of Gein.
There are actually a whole slew of horror films that are biographies of serial killers. Many have been made, all usually named after the murderer. Most are made in the same style, showing the person's life before the tragic events, and leading up to them. Showing why they would commit such heinous acts.
These films in particular can make a usually stoic person, tremble. Because these movies aren't based on people's lives, they are trying their best to show you what actually happened. And these were people that others knew, were neighbors of, and were friends with.
Think of people you know, who you work with or hang out with, who could be serial killers. Are you able to? Because they can. Inside every one of us is a monster waiting to get out, and the only thing holding it back is our conscience and our willpower.
But say your childhood was hectic and filled with pain, your mother beat you telling you of the evils of the world. And your relationships growing up were nothing but disastrous. Your mind could break, your sense of right and wrong could be skewed. And then one day you find yourself standing over some stranger with a bloody hammer.
I leave you with a fitting quote from notorious American serial killer, Ted Bundy:
We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow.
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| The Lair of the Mad |
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'The Lair' discusses the many aspects and qualities of the horror genre. From actors, to make-up, to music, James Shafie explores everything the "cult" genre spews up.
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| James Shafie |
James Shafie is an avid watcher of movies of all sorts, but the horror genre is closest to his heart. He loves to read and is addicted to music, mostly metal and it’s thousands of sub-genres. He was once fired by Blockbuster, which we see as a strong character trait.
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