Of the many traditions associated with Halloween, horror movies stand out as both influential and controversial. Ask anyone for their thoughts on this genre, and they will probably respond with either a look of disgust or an almost sinister smile. According to public polls, Americans’ opinions on scary movies are split right down the middle: half for, half against. So how does the Jesuit student body compare? The Blue Jay takes a look at the buzz around horror.
Movies have had a significant effect on modern Halloween traditions. You’d be hard-pressed to go out tonight without spotting some likeness of a vampire, a werewolf, or a mummy. The typical depictions of these creatures mainly stem from old monster movies. If you turn on your TV this evening, you’re sure to find all kinds of horror flicks. Characters from films such as Halloween and It are popular for costumes. But, of course, horror movies also have their detractors. Some feel they are too gory or too disturbing, or that these films are limited and even lowbrow. I would argue that while some rely too much on shock value and intense violence, the genre works because it includes such a wide range of stories. It encompasses everything from slashers and ghost stories to gothic classics and psychological thrillers, so it’s fair to say there’s something for everybody.
Here are the results of a random survey of fifty Jesuit students:
58% say they enjoy horror movies, 42% say they do not.
Of the ones who like horror movies, their top five favorites are:
Smile, The Conjuring, The Exorcist, The Silence of the Lambs, The Blair Witch Project
So, what do you think? Which of these five results is your favorite?