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Inspired by Hereditary and other recent horror films of note, let& #39;s explore the monumental horror-image.
The monumental horror-image derives its name from two factors. First, the subjects of these images are horrifying more for what they represent than what they actually do. They function as horror& #39;s forward-facing surface, a monument to the deeper evil they connote.
The second factor is compositional, in one of two ways. The first kind of monumental horror-image is the appearance or discovery of a being in a place where no one *ought* to be, in defiance of what characters believe can be real, possible, or otherwise in compliance with norms.
These shots, and the beings they depict, are usually static, and often rather ordinary on the surface. The entities are typically situated in the center-rear of the frame. In other words, they& #39;re staged and shot like monuments.
Their appearance is so alarming, and our understanding of them so rooted in the idea that such images must remain stationary, that any movement closer to them, whether by the camera moving in or them moving forward, is like an unbearable prolonged jump scare.
The second type of monumental horror-image is more explicitly "monumental": a monolithic, idol-like, or statuesque object that serves as a direct testament to the immediate presence of evil, madness, or monstrousness.
These images tend to vary more in composition, but they too are usually centered in the frame at a distance. Slow movement of camera or onlooker is more frequent, since often these images are constructed in-story as representations of a horrific sublime w which unity is desired.
You can probably think of many other examples; your body basically knows them when you see them.
Sometimes you see them before they do.
The monumental horror-image is rarely if ever violent, and doesn& #39;t need even to imply violence. The Eyes Wide Shut example above demonstrates the supernatural need not be present either. The monumental horror-image shows The Thing That Should Not Be, which is what horror is.
Images from The Wicker Man, The Shining, The Exorcist, Lost Highway, It Follows, Eyes Wide Shut, Twin Peaks, Unedited Footage of a Bear, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Hannibal (TV), The Ring, The Blair Witch Project, The Birds, The Babadook
PS: This was the subject of my senior essay in college back in 1999; if it& #39;s not too embarrassing upon re-reading, maybe I can upload it or otherwise make it available to people who are interested.
For those interested, here is my senior essay on the monumental horror-image, which goes into not just what they are but why they work. Enjoy! http://www.mediafire.com/file/8elt1xj3kf283tn/Senior%20Essay.Monumental%20Horror-Image.pdf">https://www.mediafire.com/file/8elt...
Also, the inclusion of Unedited Footage of a Bear in this thread seemed to please a lot of people. If you missed it, here& #39;s an essay I wrote on Unedited Footage, Tim & Eric, and Adult Swim horror in general a few years back: http://observer.com/2014/12/this-years-scariest-show-aired-on-the-cartoon-network/">https://observer.com/2014/12/t...
watch this space
You read the thread. Now go deeper with my essay on the monumental horror-image for @outline. They made it look beautiful, and creepy as hell: https://theoutline.com/post/5823/monumental-horror-image-the-shining-the-exorcist">https://theoutline.com/post/5823...
Thank you to @jeremypgordon for his patience in putting this together!
