Can We Predict the Next Big Focus in Horror?
Each generation’s horror is reflected by trends. In the age of vampires, found footage, zombies, and magic, the focus of horror media tends to follow certain patterns, with each enjoying its time in the limelight. Sometimes these occur as a gradual shift, other times a breakout hit will force a slew of imitators, but the result is ultimately the same.
In hindsight, the adoption and love of these new trends often seem obvious. They fit so well into the zeitgeist of the era that the focus seems inevitable, and this raises some interesting questions. Is it possible to look into the changing culture of today and determine where the next big hits in horror will center? We thought we’d take a look beneath the surface and explore likely directions and candidates for what comes next.
Contemporary Trends
To track the most probable target in the coming generation of horror films, it makes sense to examine the most modern and contemporary trends reflected in modern horror films. These tend to follow several main trends, such as zombies, aliens, and the supernatural. As demonstrated by Train to Busan, A Quiet Place, and Hereditary, these films often follow established, though viewed through a modern lens. The ideas themselves might not be new, but they don’t need to be.
This modern lens is important because a more relatable setting aids in us connecting to horror topics. An older film like Cannibal Holocaust might still be terrifying, for example, but it’s dated to a degree that makes it difficult for modern audiences to connect with. A simple change of setting or updating a film to include modern references and ideas can overcome this problem, helping us more easily place ourselves in the shoes of the protagonists.
The other most likely candidate for explorations comes from online urban legends. These have grown exponentially recently, as was perfectly illustrated by the legend of Slenderman, who originated from one of the internet’s most famous long-running forums. More recently, an obsession with backrooms makes for a perfect fit for a new generation of horror films, lending itself well to be terror and cost-effective filming locations.
Technological Probabilities
The other side of this coin comes from modern fears that are not based on a terrifying basis, but rather on a type of activity to which we’ve all become accustomed – digital online access. Almost every part of our lives in the last few years has been increasingly centered on web-based communication and entertainment, so it makes sense to include this area in horror to make it more approachable.
Technology having an evolutionary effect on traditional forms of entertainment isn’t limited to horror movies, of course, it’s demonstrated in many different ways. A prime example is found in the landscape of real money online casinos, which have exploded in popularity in the few short decades they’ve existed. These platforms were once limited by slow computers and slower connections, but today technology has developed to a level where even entry-level devices can engage flawlessly and without compromise.
Modern online casinos like BetVictor and Lukki leverage their increased convenience and online systems to offer more to players like free spins and deposit matches, as a side effect of their ever-improving access and software capabilities. In many cases, their games even combine with horror themes like with the Horror House and Horror Castle slots, as the online betting industry takes a similar approach to that taken in film.
Classic Fears
As the final part of this equation, we also can’t entirely dismiss the power and fascination we have with more established horror ideas and tropes. Following classic and popular horror films from decades ago reveals ageless fears like body horror and vaguely supernatural influence over our modern world.
These tie into terror that is intrinsic to who we are as a living species. We naturally fear the weakness that is inherent to flesh, and we’re always afraid of hidden forces beyond our control and capacity to understand. Such fear will never change as long as we’re still human, so we expect these areas as a focus of horror to never really diminish.
One of the best things about horror is how exploratory it is. Instead of stagnating like some genres, horror is constantly testing new boundaries, navigating new avenues, and testing the waters on what terrifies us most. There’s always a drive to do something new, even when paying homage to something old, and this gives us great hope for where horror will go next. We know it’s going to change, and we can make some guesses as to what we’ll see more, but we never really know what’s lurking in the shadows ahead.