Definition of "horror"?

[Stingy Jack]

I watched King of the Ants last night, which categorizes itself as a horror film. But it's not. Sure, it has some fucked up hallucination scene, a severed head, a nasty murder, a corpse in the freezer, and a hideous torture ... but is it horror? It's a crime and restitution film, albeit a dark one. There are many films that call themselves horror, but are not ... particularly science fiction films. I mean, Alien is certainly horrific ... but it's really sci-fi. Where's the line drawn? When does a film become a "horror film" and not some really dark, nasty thriller?

At first I thought that a horror film must have an element of the supernatural in it to be truly horror. But then I realized that was all bullshit. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is undoubtedly a horror film, but does not have any supernatural elements.

Finally, I came up with this: A film becomes a horror film when it's main intent is to induce fear in its audience. But this is bullshit as well. Dead Alive is a horror film, but it's main intent is to make the audience laugh, and then gross us out. And Army of Darkness is neither scary nor gory.

So help me out, here, peeps. This is basic stuff every horror fan should know, but I suppose I think about it too much and get myself mired down in the details.

[kpropain]

CHECK OUT THIS THREAD

[orangestar]

Originally posted by Stingy Jack
I watched King of the Ants last night, which categorizes itself as a horror film. But it's not. Sure, it has some fucked up hallucination scene, a severed head, a nasty murder, a corpse in the freezer, and a hideous torture ... but is it horror? It's a crime and restitution film, albeit a dark one. There are many films that call themselves horror, but are not ... particularly science fiction films. I mean, Alien is certainly horrific ... but it's really sci-fi. Where's the line drawn? When does a film become a "horror film" and not some really dark, nasty thriller?

At first I thought that a horror film must have an element of the supernatural in it to be truly horror. But then I realized that was all bullshit. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is undoubtedly a horror film, but does not have any supernatural elements.

Finally, I came up with this: A film becomes a horror film when it's main intent is to induce fear in its audience. But this is bullshit as well. Dead Alive is a horror film, but it's main intent is to make the audience laugh, and then gross us out. And Army of Darkness is neither scary nor gory.

So help me out, here, peeps. This is basic stuff every horror fan should know, but I suppose I think about it too much and get myself mired down in the details.

I didnt even read your whole post, but I have to say you rock because you've seen King of the Ants. I think it is horror, but thats just me. No matter what it is, its a powerful movie.

[Hate_Breeder]

i thought that horror was something that scares the bejesus out of you

[Stingy Jack]

Kpro: Thanks for the link. I'm still the ignorant newb! But, it seems as if this question was still not answered definitely. Maybe horror needs some categories ... Dunno. Have to give this more thought tonight.

Orangestar: :) I liked King of the Ants ... but not as a horror film. Don't you think the ending was a little anticlimactic? Check out my review for it in the contributor's corner to see my full opinion. And feel free to argue! ;)

Hate_Breeder: Eh ... maybe. But anything on World Harvest Television scares the beejeezus out of me ... and that's supposed to be a family channel! Surely "horror" isn't this subjective.

[thEsounDofdirT]

i knew this was a remake of an older thread however, i will restate my definition of horror as i stated on my first day here...

horror is something subjective to each viewer, listener, survivor, being.. whatever... you can be someone who finds horror in ANYTHING... although i hope you know not to take this literally adn say.. ooo a cupcake is horror.. oo.. i'm a dumb shit... lol .. but nah... don't let it upset you when you call something a horror movie and someone says.. "that's not a horror movie man. it's a comedy"... i've had people say that about evil dead and they can just kiss my little booty because horror is something subjective that will never, EVER be held captive by a solidified and unchanging definition

[orangestar]

I replied to your review, Stingy.

[Egekrusher]

That chick I picked up last night...

Oh, wait...

[Hate_Breeder]

Oh yeah the Telletubbies creep me the fuck out. I dont know how children can watch a show about little purple, green, red, yellow, monkey looking things, that slide backwards up a slide, and have a baby for a sun and not be freaked out!

[kpropain]

Originally posted by Hate_Breeder
Oh yeah the Telletubbies creep me the fuck out. I dont know how children can watch a show about little purple, green, red, yellow, monkey looking things, that slide backwards up a slide, and have a baby for a sun and not be freaked out!

LMFAO true....