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Overview

Horror films effectively center on the dark side of life, the forbidden and strange, almost, unimaginable events. Collectively, they focus on our most primal nature and fears: our nightmares, vulnerability, terror of the unknown and the most unthinkable. Nonetheless, it is evident that popular conventions employed in these films continue to stay the same, as well as evolve with the time. One of the most obvious definitions of a genre - outlined by Lawrence Grossberg - which undoubtedly evolves with time, is the 'familiar structure of meaning,' It is obvious that each of these films outlined societal issues specific to their time.

Diabolique (1955) discusses issues of deciet, infidelity and individuals being naïve in their thinking. This is perhaps demonstrative of 1955, a time in which President Juan Peron was ousted from the Military; perhaps addressing the issues of deciet. The film also displays a woman standing up for herself - as a response to an overbearing man - which could very well be mirroring Rosa Parks' historic decision to stand up for herself, by not sitting at the back of a bus, simply because an arrogant white man demanded her to. This could be reflective of the naïve thinking at the time.

The Shining (1980) demonstrates issues of deciet, turning your back on someone you love, and the concept of an individual who slowly goes psychologically crazy (or is possessed). In examining deciet, this is present in the random attacks and assassinations of President Reagan, as well as John Lennon of the Beatles, who were shot to death by lone gunmen in their states, in 1980. Issues of psychology were still immature at the time, which may be why this issue was explored and perhaps slightly 'fantastic' in its interpretations.

Finally, and perhaps most evidently, is the main issue outlined in The Ring (2001). The most prominent narrative and social conern was the fear of the 'unknown'. 2001 marked a year of just that; a year where many did not know what to expect, as hijackers rammed jetliners into the twin towers of New York City's World Trade Center and Pentagon. Many were on edge, not knowing if they should expect another random attack, or an approaching World War. This is most evident in the film, which touches primarily on the issues of the unknown, and the fear of not knowing who would be next?

A final note in comparing the three films is the obvious structure of the open-ended endings that each exhibit. It is interesting that regardless of the time each film was created, the notion of 'not knowing' seemed prominent in the text of each film. It seems prevalent that each generation has its enduring social issues which are not always resolved, and this is perhaps reflected in the open-ended structures of the horror films across the decades. This may suggest one thing: across all conventions and thematic and/or narrative elements, our fears of the unknown may always exist.

Kristina Gold
Communications Studies & Psychology Student