From the terror of before to the scares of now

When we think of horror, almost all of us imagine the typical ghost movie that makes us doubt whether what we're seeing is real or just imagining it. If we go back a little, we discover that horror is a very subtle art when done properly.

The first short horror film was made in 1896: The Devil's Mansion. From that moment on, the genre began to be seen as art. Decades later, films appeared that left an indelible mark on history. One example is Psycho (1960), which revolutionized the genre by killing off its protagonist before the film was halfway through, causing a stir among audiences. Also The Exorcist (1973), a milestone for its special effects and its inspiration from a real case, was supposedly shrouded in curses due to deaths on set.

Other unforgettable titles include The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Shining (1980), and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), which introduced us to the iconic villain Freddy Krueger. These films defined entire generations and proved that horror can be innovative and profound.

But this is where I wonder: how did we go from those masterpieces to films that, in my opinion, are so empty (because we all know that this genre, especially, is very subjective, and I'm also considering the genre in general, since horror has many subgenres, and each one could be analyzed independently. In this case, I'll be as general as possible, referring to the best-known films that defined this genre). These films are so cliché, like Annabelle (2014), which limit themselves to cheap jump scares, because scaring is one thing, and generating fear is quite another.

Obviously, within current films, there are also feature films that stand out and maintain the essence of horror. Clear examples are Hereditary (2018), with its constant unease that seems to anticipate something bad will happen, or The Witch (2015), which achieves a unique atmospheric fear. Even Barbaria stands out for its different approach.

Nowadays, it seems that the supernatural is over, and that's why lately the genre has explored more gore and body horror. These types of films seek to generate an intense reaction, be it fear, repulsion, or discomfort. Films like Terrifier (2015), The Substance (2024), or the more recent Together are clear examples. I thought the latter in particular was a very good film within its rawness, even more accomplished than The Substance. I think the plot makes more sense, and I like the message it conveys. Mind you, I'm not saying The Substance is bad, just that I personally like Together more.

In conclusion, cinema, like everything else, is constantly evolving. And while new things rarely surpass the classics, fresh proposals will always emerge that keep this genre alive. In the end, the only permanent thing is change.