The Daily Think

Horror movies have long been a staple of the film industry, with audiences drawn to the thrills, chills, and scares that these films offer. However, in recent years, horror movies like “Barbarian”, “Scream”, and “Cabin in the Woods” have taken a different approach to the genre by incorporating self-awareness and utilizing common horror tropes in a more intelligent way.

One of the most notable features of these films is their use of horror tropes. Tropes are commonly used in horror movies to create suspense and build tension. However, in these films, the tropes are used in a more self-aware manner. For example, in “Scream,” the characters are familiar with the common horror tropes and actively use them to try to survive. They are aware of the “final girl” trope and actively try to play into it to increase their chances of survival. Similarly, in “Cabin in the Woods,” the characters are put into a horror movie scenario that has been designed to follow common tropes, such as the “jock,” the “stoner,” and the “virgin.” By using these tropes, the film is able to create a sense of familiarity for the audience while also subverting expectations.

Another way that these films incorporate self-awareness is through their commentary on the horror genre as a whole. “Barbarian” critiques the genre’s portrayal of women as sexual objects, while “Scream” satirizes the conventions of slasher films. “Cabin in the Woods” takes this critique even further by exposing the mechanics behind the horror movie scenario and commenting on the audience’s voyeuristic role in the horror genre. By doing so, these films make the audience more conscious of the horror genre’s limitations and challenge them to think more critically about the media they consume.

Finally, these films offer a more intelligent take on the horror genre by subverting the expectations of the audience. “Barbarian” turns the classic “damsel in distress” trope on its head by making the lead character a strong, capable woman who fights back against her attackers. “Scream” takes the audience’s expectations of who will survive and who will die and turns them on their head, while “Cabin in the Woods” uses its premise to create a twist ending that leaves the audience questioning their assumptions about the genre.

Movies like “Barbarian,” “Scream,” and “Cabin in the Woods” offer a more intelligent take on the horror genre by utilizing self-awareness and horror tropes in a more meaningful way. By doing so, these films not only create a more engaging and thought-provoking viewing experience, but also challenge the audience to think more critically about the media they consume.