Should Horror Films Be Realistic or Far Fetched?
By Brian
@wolfie34 (26771)
United Kingdom
September 20, 2008 8:02am CST
What makes a good horror film to you?
A good storyline and being scared out of your head
Or plenty of blood, guts and gore?
Do you prefer a horror film to be realistic like Hostel or Final Destination and Saw
Or
Do you prefer a horror film to be totally far fetched and totally unrealistic like Friday 13th, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street?
Take Friday 13th, how many times does Jason get killed and yet he still comes back, time after time, after time, they are just slasher movies for the sake of slasher movies, no real storyline and certainly so far fetched that it takes the scariness right out of them
But with Hostel, this is realistic, because this can and probably does happen in the world, take snuff movies for example! So it makes the horror film more realistic and therefore more scary
So do prefer horror films to be realistic or just totally unrealistic fantasy that could never happen in today's society
Does it make any difference to you? I think if the story is more real then it tends to far more frightening, because it could happen
But monsters and zombies coming back from the dead, that isn't horror it's comedy!
11 people like this
23 responses
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
20 Sep 08
The scariest ones are the ones that are within the realm of possible.
Saw - very scary.
I found 'The Stand' to be extremely scary, being a fan of the book, I read it many times before the movie, and everytime I go through the Lincoln Tunnel, my skin crawls. Now that is scary!
I think what also makes it scary when the horror is set in your own town or a town near you.
3 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
20 Sep 08
Well, there is some gore, but it is not a slasher movie. It is a made for tv movie, based on a book by Steven King. It is about a super flu pretty much wiping out the world and the rebuilding of 2 cities in the US complete with a nuclear explosion where are 'heroes' of the movie get vaporized.
1 person likes this
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
20 Sep 08
Sometimes I will watch the horror movies. I think the real good horror movies are from Japan, Hong Kong and Korea. In fact the foreign horror movies are not very terrified for me because most of them I feel it's just so violent. It only relates the blood and kill. It's just sick rather than horrible for me.
A good horror movie not only makes you feel scared when you are watching it, but also it tells you something. Something that you shouldn't do. Such as you should never do bad things to others.
By the way, the American horror movie The Eye is exactly a copy movie from a horror Hong Kong film. I haven't watched the American version yet, I don't know what's the big difference between them. I will judge it when I watch it.
I love China
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
20 Sep 08
Oh yes, more realistic, this makes it more believable and it scares you more. I was glued to that tv watching Hostel and I got so into it that it made me re-think about traveling to certain places where something like this can and does happen.
3 people like this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
20 Sep 08
[i]Hi wolfie,
I love the combination...LOL! I don't like to be frightened a lot because I might not be able to sleep..LOL!
SO, If it is possible for them to come up with combination, realistic yet funny sometimes, I will love that! lOL![/i]
3 people like this
@thebohemianheart (8827)
• United States
20 Sep 08
I love horror movies. The best ones, for me, are the ones that could actually happen.
There are some totally sick people out there, and it is terrifying to think that some of the things you see in some of the movies is quite possible. However, I do like movies that others think are horror movies, like One Missed Call, The Grudge, Dark Waters, etc. Those are not scary to me, they are just full of suspense.
2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
20 Sep 08
I couldn't get into The Grudge to be honest, didn't do anything for me, I got bored with it, suspense films are ok but I much rather see the gore and yes totally sick people out there I agree those are the kind that like the snuff movies and that is too damn realistic!
2 people like this
@thebohemianheart (8827)
• United States
20 Sep 08
Too realistic is what makes me more aware of what is going on in the world around me. Which version of The Grudge did you watch, the American or Japanese? I have watched both versions of the ones I listed. The Japanese (originals) are better, in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
20 Sep 08
Hello wolfie34
As you know I don't like horror movies but I think I can still respond to your discussion as I have seen a couple and I think that qualifies me!! Oh I have seen one of the nightmare on Elm Street movies too, I think the 5th one, not sure. Wow I have seen a few horror movies for someone who doesn't like them eh? Anyway, watching a far fetched film I think you can just shrug your shoulders and that be the end of it and possibly laugh at it, the most far fetched seem to be more of a comedy. Movies that are more realistic can put the fear of God into you in your own real life so I guess it depends on if that bothers you or not. You can also tune into Crimewatch UK each month to get the same sort of feeling!!
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
20 Sep 08
Being on the streets on a Friday or Saturday night in town can be more scarier than watching the scariest horror film! Mind you living in the UK can be quite scary with the knife crime, who needs slasher movies when you have the real thing walking the streets!
1 person likes this
@vmksvmks (413)
• Canada
20 Sep 08
I guess it depends on my mood that day and who is with me to watch the Horror Flick I do not get scared but there was a scene that did scare the living daylights out me and without as question a scene that if there was a hall of Fame it would qualify ..The director Alfred Hitchcock and the famous shower scene in Psycho...but for recent movies the Jurrasic Park with the dinosaurs was pretty scary Like everything else we are unique and what is ones treasure maybe anothers trash Good Luck Have a Great day
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
21 Sep 08
I hate movies which involve zombies and monsters. Stephen King books and movies are really impressive. He builds a story around a normal daily occurrence and then deviates in the horror scene as the story gets along. In Misery a famous bestseller author gets trapped in a storm while his car crashes. A nurse takes care of him and tries to help him recover from his broken bones. I really think that King is a genius how he manages to captivate the readers imagination.
2 people like this
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
22 Sep 08
I like the ones that are funny. Like killer tomatoes, and the ones with giant bugslol I like the alien ones and there was one where this guy said he had a headache and then he got his head cut off...in giant killer beatles......the funny ones are good. The vampire ones can be funny too, especialy the older ones....I like the comedy better everytime....
2 people like this
@hiddenwing (3719)
• China
21 Sep 08
I am in pursuit of perfect thouht it is not possible. Thus I don't like film with blood or something. It is scary! Prince Diary, for example, is totally imaginative. However, it feels good to watch and should be horrored
2 people like this
@suehan1 (4344)
• Australia
21 Sep 08
wolfie i hate just blood and guts,give me a good story line anytime.so realistic for me.some thing like the omen movies or flowers in the attic,amityville or any of these types of movies.jason and friday the 13th i would not even bother to watch,but i a good story line that keeps you wondering all through the movie is great.cheers sue
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
21 Sep 08
The Omen was scary, for it's time! I remember the second film Omen 2 that was actually quite horrific, the lift scene and the juggernault, ewwww pretty much scared me out at the time! The third film was a let down, the second was the best of the three
1 person likes this
@illfavors (590)
• United States
20 Sep 08
It really depends on what the story is about. I like all types of horror movies, especially the cheesy B-rated movies. I appreciate a realistic storyline because that makes watching it a more intense experience. Slasher flicks make me laugh because they are far-fetched, and they are just fun to kick back and watch and not have to put much thought into the plot of the story. Just straight slashing and gashing!
2 people like this
@madasp (563)
• United States
21 Sep 08
I don't have a preference to which one is better, but I usually get more scared by the more realistic ones. If its something that could actually happen its usually days before I can walk through my house at night without turning all the lights on LOL. I don't really even watch scary movies by choice, but I have 3 teenagers that love them so I've seen most of them.
2 people like this
@sweetie1026 (1718)
• Philippines
20 Sep 08
I think being realistic is what makes them so horrific and frightening.Having to think that it could happen is so scary. I agree that the ones you mentioned are too far fetched. Yes, i hate it when Jason gets to live again and again. It just never stops i think it is getting tiresome watching it.
2 people like this
@sweetie1026 (1718)
• Philippines
20 Sep 08
Yeah, i remember that one with Jason fighting with Freddy Kruger, i didn't even bother to watch that one. They do get boring with the sequels.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
21 Sep 08
I guess I shouldn't be responding to this discussion since I'm one who does not enjoy horror movies. I don't care if they're realistic or far-fetched, I prefer them to be non-existent in my life. Scratch that, I think I'd go with far-fetched, it's bad enough to sit through the news and hear of gory details about how someone dismembered someone else.
1 person likes this
@starr4all (2863)
•
21 Sep 08
I would have to go with both. Depends on my mood at the time. I like horror pretty much no matter what. I do like the kind that just scare the heck out of me! Especially the realistic kinds. But then again, I definately like the monster kind and blood and gore. In the past year or so I've been getting into the zombie horror. Despite what some people say, it can be horrifying. The idea of your family member turning into this mindless being who's only goal is to eat your flesh is terrifying. Then add the thought that you may have to be the one to kill them even more disturbing. But then again, I'm into the slasher/exploitation type films. I liked the first hostel and saw. The rest weren't as good in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
13 Nov 09
People are different. some prefer more far-fetched things, but I prefer more realistic things, even if it is a horro film. I know it's just a movie, so I'm not worried about reality being scary. I think far-fetched things are just plain silly, and they don't interest me in the least bit.
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
20 Sep 08
I find a horror movie is good when it is realistic and you realize it is something that could happen . I am not into blood and guts and find this more disgusting then a horror movie . I want to watch something that is going to keep me in suspense with wondering what is going to happen next and don't want to have to keep looking away because they are showing someones head being cut off or bleeding all over the place .
I agree the monster and zombie movies are more of a comedy then anyting else !!
1 person likes this
@ajrox1810 (992)
• India
20 Sep 08
Well, I love both kind of horror movies. Real stories gain more attention as a spectator for me, while far fetched are more entertaining and horrifying.
I usually watch horror movies with my Girlfriend (for those cosy moments) or with my sister. Both ways, the movies are equally horrifying and entertaining.
A real story involves the spectator making him to find out about that particular thing on the Internet or somewhere else, while far fetched films are just for stopping your heart beat.
The movies in which the killed person comes back once, can be tolerated but when he comes back again and again, enforces you to leave. This is comedy.
Cheers!
AJ Rox.
1 person likes this
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
20 Sep 08
a good horror for is the one that i am scared of with of course a good story line. a realistic to watch like you are among of the actors and actresses on the movie. i don't want to see zombies on the movies, i am not a kid that afraid of zombie but i am afraid of ghost. zombie is only for comedy.
