Last week, I started a new series called How To Start Getting Into Horror. The purpose of this series is to help horror fans introduce the genre to their friends, family, and loved ones who simply don’t have the same interest or care for the genre.
While it’s okay to not like the films, something that us fans hate is when our genre is slammed as a whole with little to no regard for what goes on in creating such a wonderful and amazing group of films. Realistically, some of our movies we’ll be more than happy to concede aren’t “good”. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t wildly entertaining! And many of us want to share that joy, that rush, that thrill that we get!
Make sure to check out Part 1 so that you’re caught up with how I think people should be introduced to the genre. Once you’ve ignited a spark of interest, it’s time to start hitting them with some basics that will fan the flame.
When someone is learning something new, in many ways they have to be treated like a child. That’s not to say that you should talk down to them or belittle their beliefs but rather you should take things at a safe, comfortable pace.
I like to introduce people to horror by showing them films from my childhood and presenting it as something really special to me. Instead of saying, “Let’s watch this movie,” I say, “Hey, this movie was something really special when I was a kid and I think you’ll really like it!” By acting excited and letting this person into my a more personal aspect of life, it’s going to set a proper foundation and build trust.
That’s when I’ll toss on The Monster Squad because you better believe Wolfman’s got nards! And when that’s over, it’s going to be marathon of both Gremlins films. When that’s done, if they’re up for it, we’re going into Edward Scissorhands.
Now, some of you might be asking why would we watch children’s films, even if they’re rooted very firmly in horror. For me, the answer is very simple: It gives me a chance to show my passion and love while being a bit more “safe”. After all, it’s just a kid’s movie!
But what’s most important is that these films are gateways. They are the beginnings of several different genres that each offer their own majesty and beauty. With Monster Squad, you can then easily transition into the Universal Monsters from the beginning of the 20th century. With Gremlins, you can go into creature features, such as Tremors, Critters, etc… And with Edward Scissorhands, you’ve got romance and a strong gothic/surreal spin that opens the doors to so many delightfully eldritch films.
By this point, you’ve gone from blockbusters like The Mummy to actually diving into “real horror”, albeit still very tame horror. But this allows the path to begin in a fun, charming, and, in the case of Gremlins, incredibly cute way. The foundation is set with positive memories, which makes all the difference.