Gianluca Di Muzio and Stephen King on Horror Films

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Movies are a favorite past time recreation among individuals. The following two authors Gianluca Di Muzio (2006) and Stephen King (2007) present opposing views towards the horror genre and its impact on society. Di Muzio article on “the immorality of horror films” and King’s article on “why we crave horror movies” are great examples on ways the horror genre affects society. Di Muzio (2006) presents the negative messages placed in horrific cinema, whereas King’s (2007) communication is about the positives. Di Muzio (2006) emphasizes dark themes, plot and ways society’s consumption to gore can lead to a sadistic lifestyle in one of his studies and critiques on the horror film Texas Chainsaw Massacre, whereas views conveyed by King (2007) towards the genre are simply recreational and meant for adrenalin addicts. Ear piercing screams, blood splatters, loneliness, violence and isolated surroundings are only a handful of the themes mentioned in the analysis by Di Muzio in the movie Texas Chainsaw Massacre. These themes haunt the viewers significantly and especially children. The movie starts on a glorious note of friends united for a trip, only to see one their friend “struck on the head with a sledgehammer.” (Di Muzio, 2006, p. 279) This sets a tone of the unexpected and the directors emphasize greatly on scenes with numerous screams with utilizing blood to frighten their viewers. Fear is the product of our thoughts, it is temporary, but numerous individuals fail to realize the reality. The movie has the ability to attract audiences of different backgrounds to come together and partake in a visual entertainment of killing spree, keeping one in terror and on the edge of their seats at all times. Moreover, the antago... ... middle of paper ... ...re as it brings back memories from our childhood. King simply claims that horror movies have a “dirty job to do,” the adrenalin rush of the screams and unexpected outcomes. (King, 2007, p. 457) Kings (2007) answer to Di Muzio (2006) on whether it is morally permissible to indulge in gruesome forms of entertainment would be that the perception lies solely to the beholder and their judgment towards the genre. Both Di Muzio (2006) and King (2007) make contradicting arguments towards the horror genre. Di Muzio (2006) provides a thought provoking piece regarding morality in horror films and provides his critique on the movie Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Whereas, King (2007) focuses his attention on the positives of the horror genre and ways it allows one to liberate from their sadistic thoughts, calling it as food “to keep the gators fed” in our psyche. (King, 2007, p. 458)

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