Horror films are at the peak of popularity right now. However, it seems that horror films Always Horror is trending: it remains one of the most popular and enduring genres. I won't go into all the reasons, but I think it all comes down to the fact that people enjoy being scared, and the genre itself is very malleable—you can twist, distort, and turn almost anything into a horror story. It's also plausible to assume that horror is thriving because the real world is becoming increasingly terrifying, but I'll avoid that question for fear of depressing everyone.
Two horror films currently dominate our popular culture consciousness. One is Obsession, Curry Barker's delightfully twisted take on W.W. Jacobs's The Monkey's Paw. It was a box office smash, exceeding all expectations and grossing more viewers in its second week of release, which is practically unheard of. Another horror film that's on everyone's mind right now is "Backstage," Kane Parsons' borderline nightmare based on his web series. The box office figures for "Backstage" aren't yet known, but all signs point to it being a hit. huge success .
The films "Whiplash" and "Behind the Scenes" have a lot in common. Both directors are young newcomers (Barker is 26, Parsons is 20) who taught themselves filmmaking through YouTube videos. Neither film is a major studio release, and both were made on a small budget. But "Whiplash" and "Behind the Scenes" also Very They're different, and I think that's an important detail. Fans are naturally competitive, and I can already see hints of a war brewing between Whiplash and Behind the Scenes. The first question I was asked when I learned I'd seen both films was, "Which one is better?" It's a question that's practically impossible to answer.
Read also: 12 most controversial films of the 21st century, ranking
Nikki frowns in 'Obsession' - Focus Features
In my humble opinion, both Obsession and Behind the Scenes are excellent films. But despite all their common features, they strongly They differ in tone, themes, and overall goals. Of the two films, I'd say Obsession is the more "funny" one. I say "funny" because Obsession is actually quite disturbing and scary. But the film has a dark humor that heightens the horror. Barker, who has a background in comedy, finds the absurd in the film's scenarios, and you can't help but laugh at some of the nightmarish events that unfold.
«"Behind the Scenes," by contrast, is practically devoid of humor. Of the two films, it feels the more existential. While "Obsession" grows increasingly frantic from scene to scene, approaching shocking outbursts of horror, "Behind the Scenes" develops at a slower pace, building fear and discomfort. It gets under the skin in a way "Obsession" doesn't. I've seen some call "Obsession" a "crowd film," and while that may seem like an odd description for such a dark film, I think it's accurate. Watching "Obsession" in a packed theater and feeding off the collective shock that reverberates through the room makes the experience all the more enjoyable.
The differences between Obsession and Backrooms are what make each game so good.
Clarke examines a pile of furniture in the utility room - A24
«"Behind the Scenes" feels completely different. While the film features traditional scares, the horror in "Behind the Scenes" comes from a nearly intangible source. "Obsession"» shocking us for obvious reasons, while "Behind the Scenes" makes us feel uncomfortable for reasons we can't quite describe.
«"Obsession" touches on the supernatural, presenting us with a "be careful what you wish for" story mixed with the common myth of the "nice guy" who is anything but. The supernatural, while abnormal by definition, still seems somehow rooted in our own reality. The demonic magic at work in "Obsession" is something we can "explain," at least on some familiar level. "Backstage," however, borders on cosmic horror. Backstage itself is literally impossible spaces; it defies all logic, reason, and explanation. It has no basis in our understanding of reality.
And here's the important thing: both approaches are great! As I've said before, horror is a flexible genre. There's room for a lot of different things within the horror genre, and that should be celebrated, not turned into some kind of competition. You may prefer one type of horror over another, but in my opinion, the more varieties of horror, the better. "Whiplash" and "Behind the Scenes" aren't competing. There's enough horror for everyone.
If you're looking for the easiest way to stay up-to-date on all the top film and TV news, why not subscribe to our free newsletter? You can also add us to your list of preferred search sources in Google.
Read the original article on SlashFilm. .