How the Supernatural Shapes the Genre

Let’s explore the Occult in Horror Movies

Enter the realm of the occult and the supernatural as it relates to the Occult in Horror Movies. The occult has played an important role in molding horror and tapping into our innermost anxieties, from ancient myths and traditions to rituals and otherworldly powers. Including supernatural or paranormal elements in a horror film increases the tension and suspense, as well as the viewer’s sense of real danger. There is no denying the occult’s impact on both traditional horror and contemporary thrillers. Let’s look into how the occult has influenced horror films and why that intersection intrigues viewers even now.

The occult, which can refer to either knowledge or practices that are regarded as being outside of the realm of mainstream religion or science, has been a source of inspiration for the horror movie genre for a very long time. Filmmakers have always been fascinated by the unknown and the supernatural, and they’ve long used the occult as a tool to delve into the unknown and play on our darkest fears. This fascination dates back to the earliest days of cinema.

People are just fascinated with The Occult

The unknown and the mysterious have always held a certain allure for people, and this allure can be seen in the way that people watch horror movies that center on the occult.

The term “occult” refers to a wide range of topics and concepts, including “witchcraft,” “magic,” “alchemy,” and “astrology,” amongst others. This is because the occult is such a broad concept. The occult is frequently used to create a sense of unease and dread in horror films because it plays into people’s anxieties about the unknown and the supernatural. Through the use of the occult, these fears are tapped into.

People are fascinated with the occult in horror movies for a number of reasons, one of which is that it gives them the opportunity to investigate their anxieties in a setting that is both secure and managed. People can face their fears and gain a better understanding of them by viewing a horror movie rather than having to go through the experience of facing them in real life.

The occult is shrouded in a sense of mystery and fascination, which is another reason for its popularity. People are drawn to the occult for a number of reasons, including the fact that it involves the unknown and the supernatural, both of which have a natural air of mystique about them.

In addition, the occult is frequently utilized as a tactic in the production of horror films in order to generate an impression of authenticity. When old myths, traditions, and rituals are used in a horror movie, it gives the impression that what is happening on screen is based in reality, which makes the horror even scarier.

People’s fascination with the occult in horror films can be attributed to a number of different factors, including their desire to explore their fears, the allure of the unknown, and the sense of authenticity that occult themes and imagery can bring to the genre. In conclusion, a variety of different factors contribute to people’s fixation on the occult in horror movies.

History of the Occult in Horror Movies

We are going to take a look at some prime examples of the occults influence on horror movies starting in the 1920’s and ending with 2023.

The Occult in Horror Movies From The 1920’s

The 1922 silent film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” is recognized as having provided one of the earliest depictions of the occult in the horror genre (1920). This German Expressionist masterpiece is frequently recognized as the first true horror film. It depicts the story of a madman who uses hypnosis to control a sleepwalking killer, and it incorporates a lot of esoteric themes and imagery, including the usage of a crystal ball and a somnambulist (sleepwalker).

The 30s and 40s

The occult was given a significant part to play in the movies that were produced by Universal Monsters during the 1930s and 1940s. These films featured such timeless classics as “Dracula” (1931), “Frankenstein” (1931), and “The Wolf Man” (1941). These movies, which were adapted from well-known works of horror fiction, featured a wide variety of otherworldly beings and explored topics related to both science and the occult.

The 50s and 60s

The occult was also a big influence on the Hammer Horror films that were produced in the 1950s and 1960s. These films included some of the all-time greats in the horror genre, such as “The Curse of Frankenstein” (1957) and “The Horror of Dracula” (1958). These movies, which were famous for their dark tone and graphic depictions of violence, frequently dealt with esoteric topics including vampirism, witchcraft, and the supernatural. They were also recognized for their gothic ambiance.

The Occult in Horror Movies From The 60s and 70s

The occult remained a key influence on the horror genre throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Movies like “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968), “The Exorcist” (1973), and “The Omen” (1976) all explored themes of Satanism, possession, and the Antichrist during this time period. These movies, which were based on real-life occult practices and legends, helped spread the idea that the occult is a source of evil and fear.

The Occult in Horror Movies From The 1980’s

The decade of the 1980s saw the birth of a subgenre of horror film known as the “slasher,” which was distinguished by its graphic depictions of violence and its usage of occult symbols. Occult concepts were explored in movies like “Friday the 13th” (1980) and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), which featured killers who infiltrated people’s dreams and the reanimation of the dead, respectively.

The 90s to 2000’s

The “found footage” type of horror, which became popular in the 1990s and 2000s, is another area in which the occult was a significant influence. The concept of occult rites and rituals was employed in movies like “The Blair Witch Project” (1999) and “Paranormal Activity” (2007) to generate a sense of real-life dread in the audience.

The Occult in Movies From 2010-2020

In more recent years, occultism has proven to be a prominent source of inspiration for filmmakers working in the horror genre. The decade of the 2010s saw the release of a variety of horror films with occult themes. Two examples of these films are “The Witch” (2015) and “Hereditary” (2018), which deal with topics such as witchcraft and possession.

The Occult in Horror Movies Right Now in 2023

The occult also remains a significant effect on the horror subgenre, which can be seen both on television and in written form. Books like “The Haunting of Hill House” (1959) and “The Demonologist” (2013) have exploited the occult as a source of dread, and television shows like “American Horror Story” and “Supernatural” have explored topics related to the occult.

It’s not a bad thing, the Occult’s influence has made some great films

It is essential to keep in mind that, despite the fact that the occult is frequently used in horror fiction, it is not inherently bad or dangerous. This is true despite the fact that the occult is a common source of horror. Many people use occult beliefs and rituals as a way to express their own spirituality. The word “horror” is only used to describe the occult when it is used for bad or evil purposes.

Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that the occult has a strong hold on our imaginations and that it has been a crucial factor in the development of the horror genre. Both of these points are indisputable. The occult has a way of playing on our most irrational fears and concerns, and it also gives filmmakers the opportunity to investigate the undiscovered and test the limits of what is conceivable.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the occult is frequently portrayed as a malevolent force in popular culture and has been the focus of many conspiracy theories throughout the years. The fascination with and terror of the unknown and the unseen are at the heart of the horror genre, and the occult serves as the ideal medium to convey this aspect of the genre.

Additionally, the occult has been a topic of fascination for many centuries, and it has a rich history that can be used to create a sense of authenticity in horror stories. This is a great advantage for writers of horror stories. This deep history can be seen in the usage of ancient myths, traditions, and rituals in horror movies, all of which contribute to the overall sensation of authenticity and credibility in the films.

In conclusion, one of the most significant influences on the development of the horror movie genre from the time it was first conceived was the occult. From the very beginning of the film industry up till the present day, filmmakers have been fascinated by the unknown and the supernatural. They use the occult as a tool to investigate the unfathomable and to play on our most primal anxieties. It is likely that it will continue to have a significant impact on the horror genre in the years to come and that it will continue to be a popular source of ideas for filmmakers working in the horror genre.

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