Horror movies are one of cinema's oldest genres. There have been countless films over the years that frighten, shock, or downright traumatize their audiences. But how is it accomplished? What marks these films as truly scary? Terror is a universal theme with a universal definition. What I find frightening may not phase another, and vice versa.
In the current state of cinema, I believe that "scary" movies fall into two different camps, suspenseful thrillers and grotesque horror. Thrillers are typically rated PG-13 and therefore cannot contain anything too explicit. There is nothing wrong with thrillers, though some find them, at times lacking and uninspired. However, many modern horror films strive to push the envelop and shock their audiences; the same audiences that go to the film to be shocked.
Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
No one watches the Saw movies for their character development or stunning social commentary. People die in terrible ways. That's it. That is all it takes for movie after movie to be made following the same formula.
Elements of the extreme will always frighten and interest audience goers. Clearly, it is more than just blood and guts that bring in ticket sales, but a little gore goes a long way.
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