Late Year Horror Movies and the Health of the Genre

In the last post, I was struck by how the volume and quality of dark publications helps indicate the health of the horror genre. As if to confirm that, I saw the news that “30 Days of Night” took number one at the box office this weekend, making a cool $16 million so far. Though noting the seasonality of autumn and Halloween in the current success of a few recent films, it is still hard to deny horror is flourishing in the film industry. That said, there are a few promising movies left for theaters by the end of the year. Hopefully, they will only add to the overall health of horror in cinema, while avoiding the dangers of a horror glut like the one in the ‘80s, which produced a large number of hideous, low grade films (despite some of the gems). Here are some of the big names that will likely win or fail on a massive scale:

I am Legend: Coming in December, this big name film taking its inspiration from Richard Matheson’s novel of the same name hinges on a lot. Will Smith is cast to play sole survivor Robert Neville, in what appears to be dead New York City. Of course, as nearly everyone knows, the undead plague victims come out at night to make his lonely existence a living hell. Look for “I am Legend” to splutter if it falls into the formulaic action flick with slight elements of horror. However, if producers can successfully plumb the novel for some of the deeper, eerier psychological themes of isolation and survival, then it may well end the year on a very good note for horror cinema.

Saw IV: The violent “Saw” series has gained in popularity, though not quality with each installment. Next week the latest one opens, picking up with the death of Jigsaw and the entry of a SWAT Team into his (allegedly) final trap. This movie is the most worrisome in the near future. While it’s sure to bolster the niche torture horror in some ways, another sub-par installment of mindless ambushes and torture runs the risk of again dragging horror down slightly, into an uglier 1980s-like rehash of ridiculous sequels.

Beowulf: What could be more horrible than the creatures and conflicts of this epic poem? Slated for release in the middle of November, “Beowulf” includes an impressive staff and the breath taking special effects from many recent films. Neil Gaiman is a writer and executive producer on this one, which should add a delightfully grim twist to the classic heroic struggles of Beowulf against the beastly Grendel and the monster’s vengeful mother. “Beowulf” might be another hit success of the dark that does not even bill itself as such—a sneaky amusement to all.

The Orphanage: This psychological-horror thriller is already out in Spain, but should make a limited release in the US by the end of the year. It details a woman’s return to her childhood orphanage with her own son. Imaginary friends, haunting memories, and paranormal occurrences color this film, leaving the expected air of mystery common to these psychological explorations in horror. “The Orphanage” or “El Orfanato” seems worth a look, if only because it looks like one of the most thoughtful horror movies of the year’s fourth quarter.

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem: The holidays will pulse with the release of this monster movie sequel on Christmas day, which follows the continuing misadventures these two genre titans. Let’s just hope it turns out better than the first installment. This one is said to involve a pitched battle to defend a small town caught in the crossfire of combat between the Aliens and Predators, though don’t expect the spotlight to be taken off the punishing brawl between the two star races. Personally, I’m just hoping the Alien-Predator Hybrid tidbit from the last movie will be expanded here into something interesting and maybe even a little engaging. Yet, admirers of thoughtful horror cannot go in with high expectations for a film whose story is a thin plot device for bringing together the two warring races.

-Grim Blogger