Preparing for October, I have divulged myself into a deep pit of horror films. I recently watched the 2016 horror film “Pet”, centered primarily around the violent kidnapping of a woman, who is placed in a cage by a man she rejected. The violent nature of this movie got me thinking about the abundance of horror films I have seen where the primary fear factor is lead by systematic misogyny. For example, 1980’s “The Shining” is, in essence, based on Jack and Wendy’s abusive relationship. Berlin Syndrome (2017) and Hounds of Love (2016) exclusively focus on scenarios where male entitlement becomes dangerous, as (spoiler alert) women are kidnapped and tortured by deranged men who think they are owed something. The Girl Next Door (2007), an incredibly disturbing film depicting graphic sexual and physical violence stems from deeply internalized misogyny. During the film, the antagonist gets increasingly violent, and, under the influence that the victim is “sleeping around”, carves sexually degrading messages onto her skin.
So, why does any of this matter? After all, these are just movies, part of pop culture, designed to entertain people. Well, the movies themselves aren’t the real issues. The concerning part of this situation is the parallels these movies have to society today. While it may not be commonly experienced to the degree of the women in these movies, so many women (and men and gender non-conforming folks) face sexual, physical, and verbal abuse throughout their lives in one form or another. The violent and misogynistic motives these villains possess are far too common in our society today. The scariest part of these kinds of horror films? Their affinities to real life.
Featured image via Tumblr user mattybing1025
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