The Death of Classic Horror Films

Janet Leigh as Marion Crane, Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott all of these women portrayed heroines in horror films that defined the genre of their generations. Hitchcock was of course a cinematic genius and Halloween reinvented the entire horror genre. While horror films haven't gone completely out of style since Max Schreck first played Nosferatu in 1922, they had been relegated to a meager existence after the Freddy Krueger boom of the late 80's early 90's. Then in 1996 legendary horror director Wes Craven released Scream, the movie's pop culture references and ironic self awareness elevated the genre once again. Cravens' shocking opening butchery off of perceived star Drew Barrymore in a gruesome and lingering way it changed the tone of horror films. The kill sequences in post modern horror are not the quick slash and cut away scenes of classic horror but have instead become graphic and protracted exercises in brutality. Modern horror has completely changed its focus from classic horror with its emphasis on sadism over rage, portrayals of unsympathetic characters, and gore over suspense.