Social horror of the XXI century: what movies and tell them why you need to look

How did the genre

Before you reach a new level of development, the horror industry has managed to almost die. It happened in the early 90's with the advent of the famous film "The Silence of the Lambs." Then many of the audience and the filmmakers realized that already had seen on the giant monsters and haunted houses. The last breath of the 80s - slasher with maniacs in masks - his moribund, losing popularity.

Therefore nineties can be called an epoch flowering thriller and simultaneously falling horror popularity. Only occasional bursts like "Scream", which rather mocked genre than to continue it again reminded of past successes.

But with the onset of the XXI century the horrors again returned to the screen. To this end, directors have to remember one important truth.

A good horror movie is always about people, not about monsters.

The most successful horror always somehow resonate with real life, and therefore only use the classic cliché in the new time is impossible. So, in 1999 he came the film "The Blair Witch Project", completely destroyed canon approach filming: all the action in it shows the most realistic and allegedly filmed on amateur camera eyewitnesses.

Subsequently, this technique was used in the "Paranormal Activity" and "Cloverfield." This allowed the audience to feel that they themselves could become parties to such events.

But director Danny Boyle was one of the pioneers of the XXI century in the genre of social horror. After all, if you think about it "28 Days Later"Which is considered one of the best horror movies of modern times, it is dedicated not the apocalypse, and the growing problem of aggression in society. And with good reason in this picture many survivors do not behave any better monsters.

What topics affecting social horror

Real heyday of the genre occurred sometime after 2010. Of course, in parallel began to be restored and classic horror: there were "Astral" and "Spell" by James Wan, "Oculus," "Sinister" and many other films that, when shooting high-quality and good scripts simply entertained and frightened viewer.

But at the same time it has become increasingly popular and unusual author of horror films in which the creators were forced to otherwise look at such pressing issues as family relationships, human relations, racism, education children.

It was they who gave the genre new life. The purpose of these films - not only frighten the audience. They make you think about the story and the reasons for what is happening and maybe try to imagine yourself in the situations the characters. Here we have a conditional division into stories about family and relationships, and the picture of the shortcomings of society.

Horror movies of the family

Mama

Mama

• Spain, Canada, 2013.
• Horror, Thriller, Drama.
• Duration: 100 minutes.
• IMDb: 6,2.

You can start with the debut film by Andres Musketti "Mama" (not to be confused with the picture Darren Aronofsky), Based on his own short film. This is the story of two girls who survived a few years in the forest under the supervision of some supernatural "mom." Later they were taken to the education of his father's brother and his wife. But "mom" is not going to give up "their" children.

At first glance, by the construction of the film it resembles the classic horror film, in which there is a monster, creaking doors and other standards. Especially that produced a picture of himself, Guillermo del Toro, and its impact on the visual range is felt very strongly.

But in fact, in this story the director asks the eternal question related to the education of children. With whom girls would be better: a prosperous new parents or with a strange and even frightening, but "native" mother? And Musketti does not answer this question directly, allowing the audience to reflect on the very final.

It is more important not to bring morality and show the conflict itself, as well as changes in people so Jessica Chastain in the role of stepmother goes from selfish rocker to a mother who is ready to sacrifice himself for foster children.

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The Babadook

The Babadook

• Australia, 2014.
• Horror, Mystery.
• Duration: 93 minutes.
• IMDb: 6,8.

Australian actress Jennifer Kent debuted in directing a great movie with a fully author's project. As is the case with the "mother" Musketti originally Kent created a short film, and then later finished writing the script for a full movie.

Again, like the classic story: Amelia mom brings his little son Sam a children's book titled "The Babadook". The beast from the book becomes real, it is infused into the mother and begins to create the horrors.

But Kent did not build the film around the usual monsters popping out of the darkness. She decided to show the audience the depth of consciousness of any ordinary person. So, in the 60 years after the mass poisoning of pregnant experimental drug screens filled stories of horrible children-monsters that torment their mothers and the world (think "Rosemary's baby»).

And if Jennifer Kent shows that fear from the back side. Sam - a vicious and sickly child, Amelia - a single mother. Of course, she often gets tired of his son, and when he falls ill, generally falls into hysterics.

The Babadook here is not some otherworldly creature. He is only a reflection of anger at the mother of his son. And Kent explains that completely overcome his inner aggression impossible. Each still experiencing negative emotions and even angry at their loved ones. But the man is only able to keep aggression under control for the sake of themselves and others.

Witch

The VVitch: A New-England Folktale

• US, UK, Canada, Brazil, 2015.
• Horror.
• Duration: 93 minutes.
• IMDb: 6,8.

And another film that at the beginning of view may seem quite standard, but then unfold fully, exposing the secret side of human relationships. And again, new to directing, this time Robert Eggers.

In the film "Witch" in the XVII century the family of William and Catherine were expelled from the settlement. They have four children lived quietly near the woods, until one day the witch did not steal their newborn child. Accusations fell on the eldest daughter Thomasina not keep up with her brother. And then things got worse.

The idea of ​​this film is not witchcraft or evil spirits. And that's why the director tried to shoot the most naturalistic: the majority of the plans shown here in natural light in a pretty pale colors.

The main focus of fear and mysticism appears the woods, feared heroes. Although the worst thing is not somewhere in the thicket, and directly into their home. The main emphasis is on family communication. At some point, it turns out that they all lie to each other periodically and have something to hide. And it is this distrust eventually leads to disaster.

The director does not put an end in itself to show something terrible, refusing Screamer and blood flow. Rather, it makes the viewer think about how much he trusts the family and how long have lied relatives even without good reason.

Such a topic is now displayed in the movies more often, to recall the polukomediynyh "Perfect Stranger" with a lot of remakes. But in the horror genre rarely talk about it, even though this is where you can most clearly show how destructive mutual suspicion.

And for a more realistic Eggers does not give a clear interpretation of the final, as both a happy ending, and direct grim ending would be too predictable.

Instead, the director leaves the viewer space for reflection. May be true within the family lived a witch, and maybe it's a monster they have created by their behavior. For each response will be his.

Quiet place

A Quiet Place

• United States, 2018.
• Horror.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,6.

For a couple of years before the "quiet place" on the screens was leaving a gloomy thriller "Do not breathe," where much of the action was based on silence. Yet in the new film director John Krasinski I brought this idea to the next level.

Evelyn Abbott and Lee live with their children on a remote farm. All their life they spend in silence, because somewhere near home to a monster that responds to sound. But children find it difficult to be quiet all the time, especially as the young Regan deaf from birth.

John Krasinski is not only directed the picture, but also played in it. And the role of his character's wife went to Emily Blunt - real wife Krasinski. In addition, shortly before the start of work on the painting, the couple had a child. And if you think about it, the most important part of "a quiet place" is devoted to the theme of communication in the family.

The heroes of the tragedy occurred - the child died. But they can not even discuss it properly and complain to each other, as to constantly remain silent. And it is again the story of the relationship difficulties, when the silence and the silence in the family scares more than crash and a scream.

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reincarnation

Hereditary

• United States, 2018.
• Horror, Drama.
• Duration: 127 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,3.

Picture of another newcomer Ari Aster many dubbed the best horror film in 2018. In this case, the advertising campaign largely worked against him: watch the trailer, the audience went to the movies on a regular horror and waited Screamer and murder, and saw a strange slow story filled with metaphors and logic Sleep.

The plot tells the story of a family in which the grandmother died overbearing. After her death, to each of the next of kin begin to happen strange things. And it is not clear, the point here is some evil spirit or simply heritage.

In the course of the film, you can even get confused, who is the protagonist, because "Reincarnation" alternately tells about all the characters. But the basic idea of ​​the story lies in the already original name Hereditary, that is, "Heredity."

Author of the film shows that it is practically impossible to get rid of the tribal heritage. Even if the person himself is not aware of this, it irresistibly attracts continue his family's business.

One of the characters create miniature models of all that he sees, including his home. And we can say that all the characters themselves live in a toy house and can not escape from there. Their family heritage - their cell.

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Horror films about society

It

It Follows

• United States, 2014.
• Horror, thriller.
• Duration: 100 minutes.
• IMDb: 6,8.

In this film, in 2014 (not to be confused with the screen adaptations of Stephen King), another is not the most well-known director David Robert Mitchell decided to go to an important social issue - promiscuity and dangerous diseases.

In the story the main character Jane has sex with the unfamiliar man and then learns that she passed on the curse. Now Jane pursues a terrible monster that is impossible to escape. The idea is simple and clear: you have to get to know the person before you go to bed with him. Well and contraception should not be forgotten.

However, Mitchell does not turn the film into a propaganda pamphlet, and just shows the great horror, often referring to his idol David Lynch and classic horror David Cronenberg. Yet as a result of an interesting picture leaves sediment, which makes you wonder.

Away

Get Out

• United States, 2017.
• Horror, satire.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,7.

The story of this film is inseparable from the personality of its author - director and screenwriter Jordan Saw. For many, it was a complete surprise that the comedian and satirist, decided to turn to the horror. But, as it turned out, relevant and important topic of racism can be beat in this genre.

Black photographer Chris and his white girl Rose come to visit her parents. He worries that Rose's family will be against their union, because the girl's parents seem to be retrograde from the higher strata of society. However, they welcomed visitors, while Chris and feels that something is wrong with them. And this is clearly linked to his skin color.

Jordan Peele, a talented writer, he decided not to show the problems of racism and trite in the forehead. The protagonist is not humiliated. On the contrary, all around the house and guests admired his body. Once all this is reminiscent of admiration in some inanimate object, and the desire to somehow get closer to contemporary trends.

As a result, Peel shows in what horrible shape can be poured desire in all match fashion, and clearly hints at the dangers that appear in the new political situation. The characters of this film are so want to prove their tolerance that do terrible things. In this case, the police did not believe that the black could become a victim of crime. In all this, of course, there is some grotesque and humor. Yet the plot is very zlobodneven.

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It

It

• United States, 2017.
• Horror.
• Duration: 135 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,4.

Surprisingly, there was a place for socially and in the new film adaptation of the classic novel Stephen King. And it brings the film to the ideas of the writer, who often showed in his books that the main evil - the people themselves. Recall at least the famous "Carrie", which closed the girl bullied at school and at home.

The overall plot of the film is known to many: in a small town begin to disappear children - their drags down the drain sinister clown Pennivayz. But none of the adults do not want to believe in the existence of the monster, and so he has to confront the rogue group of children, who called himself a "club of losers."

Of course, before the release of the film adaptation of the classic all recalled in 1990, where Pennivayza played by Tim Curry. But not for nothing that the first draft of the screenplay written a new version Cary Fukunaga - the director of the first season of "True Detective." And entrusted to shoot a picture creator "Mom" Andres Musketti - master realistic horror.

Yes, in this movie, too, there is a monster, stealing children. Yet the new "It" of the people, not the clowns. Life 'Club losers "poison the surrounding and especially their parents, and Pennivayz only visually represents their fears.

Painful Eddie mother stuffs drugs - he sees on the street leper. Beverly father does not want his daughter growing up - she sees blood in the sink of the river, apparently related to the changes in her body.

Pennivayz here only a marker showing the shortcomings of society, which poisons the weak and unusual children. That is why there is not a single positive character among adults throughout the film.

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Suspiria

Suspiria

• Italy, USA, 2018.
• Horror, thriller.
• Duration: 152 minutes.
• IMDb: 6,9.

This film Luke Guadanino based on the eponymous film in 1977 directed by Dario Argento - master of the genre, "Jala" (bloody history, filled with eroticism and violence). But if the original author has tried just to scare the viewer and show as much violence and explicit scenes can then remake created more deep atmosphere.

In the story, an American dancer in the 70s is coming to Germany to go to ballet school. But it turns out that the teacher of this school - witches who worship the ancient goddesses. In the new version of the film everything that happens is directly related with real historical events that take place in Germany. And it is easy to notice that witchGoverning school, struggling to protect their students from the cruelty of the world. But in the end ourselves build almost totalitarian society.

In addition, to the finale it reveals an idea that can be related to religion and politics. Witches, who served the Supreme Being for many years, over time, began to consider themselves gods. How many members of the religious sect or politics, they have forgotten that the only elected to perform a particular role, and at any time may be deprived of his powers.

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