In Newman’s the definitive guide for horror movies, what’s regarded as one of the first released horror movies is Georges Méliès Le Manoir du diable, which was released in 1896. Le Manoir du diable was a movie about a house haunted by the devil and his supernatural employees as a regular man encounters them. While the intent from its creator was initially to invoke a sense of wonder from the use of special effects used in the video, it’s been regarded as a horror film instead.
(Side note: They thought this wasn’t creepy?? Lmao).
Well, Fast forward over a century later, And Horror has gone leaps and miles beyond in terms of visual, audio and technical quality. Take for example a movie that came out last year in 2022, a blockbuster by the name Smile. The film Smile was about a stressed psychiatrist who, when visited upon by a woman, is haunted by more than troubled mind. Over the course of the film, we as the audience are given a peek into some of the horrors plaguing our character and wonder just how much she’s seeing is truly inside her head.
(Side note, they definitely knew this face was creepy).
Now you still may be asking, wait, I still don’t see the point of comparing these two films, what’s the point? Well patient reader, I’ll gladly tell you! Despite the years between these two films and besides the drastic increase in quality the clear similarity of these two films are simple: They both seek to capture the audience with special effects in the attempt to invoke strong feelings from the audience. So what now?
Despite the intent, when a movie seeks to move their audience, it’s bound to leave an impression. However, when it comes to horror, the use of illusions and imagery have been important to the movie experience both in the past and now.
But what do you think? Are special effects and illusions at the center of horror films, or are their other elements as important to be explored? Also if you haven’t already, please check out both of these films, i’m sure you won’t regret it!
Media musings 