It's been awhile since I've headed out to the theatre to see a horror movie. In my opinion horror movies are the best type of movie to see in theatres with the audience laughing, screaming, yelling at the screen, it's a riot. However, there hasn't been anything of lately that's really drawn me in minus Evil Dead which was my most recent movie-going experience.

I for one was a huge fan of this and I'm happy to see it topped the box office on it's opening weekend. However, there has been a big backlash with the audience, a lot of people I talk to who aren't exactly movie buffs thought it was "stupid" or weird" which makes me wonder what the modern day audience wants in a horror movie.

I tend to love horror movies for their cliches, I like the last girl, the random make-shift weapon used for gruelling purposes and the characters that go places we all know they shouldn't. For me, Evil Dead did all of this and it's above the calibre of horror films that have been released in quite awhile, so I'm wondering why people weren't satisfied who aren't avid horror fans. I like the serious horror movies too, suspense without showing anything can be terrifying when done right.

I feel like it's tremendously hard to make an original horror movie these days, but a lot of the time the audiences still want the tropes that plague horror films. I'm curious to know what you guys want when you go see a horror film? Also, what you think the modern audience wants in a  horror film?

When I go see a horror movie, I don't want people giggling and joking around me.  I've been to the movies when a lot of the classic slasher films came out.  It was annoying to have something supposedly terrifying happen, hear a bunch of screams followed by laughter.


Phil

Sorry, I'm a lazy forum writer.

Phil, I see what you are saying, there are times where it's annoying. I enjoy a packed theater when its a movie like Evil Dead, I feel like it's a type of movie that makes the experience a lot more fun when people are clapping after each grisly death and breaking the tension with a laugh at the intentional or unintentional corniness.

I think there's a really juicy discussion to be had here. Given a few of the right comments, I think it'll happen.

But honestly, I don't think your question's all that complicated, man. Some people just don't dig horror. Others might but maybe they aren't big gore fans. I've met a lot a lot of people who won't even watch Tarantino movies based on the violence alone.

At the same time, I really don't see much of a backlash to horror movies at all. They still seem to be reasonably successful and I think most moviegoers will settle for pretty little.

I think that, in order to really discuss horror films, you'd have to break itr down to sub-genre a little.  You can't lump The Excorcist in the same category as Friday the Thirteenth VIII and Grave Encounters.  I recommend this last one, btw.

Different types of horror bring in different audiences.


Phil

For me, I can't think of a time where I sat and watched a horror film at home and then  wished that I had watched it on the big screen.  I'm a horror fan by all means, but that is a genre I'm a little iffy about paying 13 bucks to see in the theater because they are so hit and miss as far as quality and content go.  


I thought grave encounters was a good effort (if I am remembering it correctly)

I saw The Excorcist in the theater when it first came out.  I also saw it in the theater about two years ago in a theater.  It got better.


Phil

I realize I've only answered part of the original question. Personally, I would like to see horror get darker, more brutal, and more cerebral and for that to occur within the realms of what can safely be considered horror (which would exclude films like Antichrist).

I thought the French scene a couple years back was going in the right direction. They had a serious "anti-popcorn" feel that I love to this day. But after Martyrs, it felt like that movement (if it ever was a movement to begin with) petered out. As it happens, I think Martyrs was the last true horror movie that stood out. I hardly ever watch new horror movies anymore.

I enjoyed SCREAM.  I know it's more of a soft horror/slasher, but I'm happy I saw that one with an audience.  

SAW is another one I'm happy I caught in the theater.  

I'm gonna have to check Martyrs  out.  ->  Oh! I remember this one.  I only watch a few minutes of it because isn't it subtitled?  

Quoted from bjamin I'm gonna have to check Martyrs  out.  ->  Oh! I remember this one.  I only watch a few minutes of it because isn't it subtitled?

It's subtitled. You can watch it dubbed too if you don't mind the voice acting. Personally, I wouldn't let the language bother you; the film's a must-see for horror fans.

be warned: Martyrs is NOT Scream.

i felt sick/blue for a week after watching Martyrs... and i;m one of the most hardened and narcissistic movie fans out there when it comes to screen violence.

was it a well made movie? yes.
did it serve its purpose? yes
did i enjoy it? no
would i ever see it again? not if you paid me


i love horror films though... i own all the classics... Evil Dead, Halloween, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on elm street, excorsist, alien, the fly, creatue/black lagoon, the shining, psycho.. etc etc