Horror films often rely on a clear distinction between good and evil, with the audience rooting for the hero and fearing the villain. However, some horror movies subvert this expectation by revealing that the main character is not as innocent as they seem. These films create a gray area where the line between good and evil is blurred, turning the audience’s understanding of the story on its head.
Alejandro Amenábar’s “The Others” is a prime example of this trend. The film tells the story of a family who is initially portrayed as innocent and vulnerable, but is actually revealed to be a group of ghosts themselves. This shocking twist forces the audience to re-evaluate their perception of the main character, Grace, and challenges their understanding of the story. Similarly, Bill Paxton’s “Frailty” tells the story of Fenton Meiks, who comes forward to the police to reveal his brother’s involvement in a series of serial killings, only to be revealed as his own brother using his younger sibling as a pawn in his twisted game. This revelation reveals that the main character is not the hero the audience thought they were, but rather a monster.
A Still From Midsommar (Photo: Midsommar)
Other films such as “Secret Window,” “My Bloody Valentine 3D,” and “Midsommar” also employ this twist to subvert the audience’s expectations and create a sense of shock and surprise. By revealing that the main character is not as innocent as they seemed, these films challenge the audience to re-evaluate their assumptions about the story and its characters, creating a sense of unease and uncertainty. These films use the twist to create a memorable and impactful horror movie experience, as it challenges the audience to think critically about the characters and their motivations.
The result is a sense of tension and unease that leaves the audience on edge and eager to see what happens next. The blurring of the line between good and evil creates a sense of moral ambiguity, where the audience is forced to question their own moral compass. This, in turn, makes for a more engaging and thought-provoking horror movie experience. Horror movies that blur the lines between heroism and villainy are a perfect example of this, as they challenge the audience to think critically about the characters and their motivations, creating a more memorable and impactful horror movie experience.
