Horror Doesn’t Need Oscars Recognition to Thrive

Coralie Fargeat’s 2024 film, titled “The Substance”, is an unforgettable cinematic experience this year, pushing boundaries, provoking thought, and delighting audiences. Demi Moore delivers a powerful performance in the lead role, backed by Margaret Qualley’s equally captivating talent. The movie is also one of the most extraordinary, grotesque, and peculiar films of the decade so far. “The Substance” has been recognized, earning Oscar nominations in four significant categories – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. This recognition by a prestigious organization like the Oscars marks a significant shift in perception of this genre, although it remains to be seen if the film will win any awards. However, fans should not anticipate this as a new trend emerging.

These films – Psycho, The Birds, The Shining, Halloween, The Thing, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Scream – are undoubtedly some of the most remarkable and cherished horror movies in the history of cinema. Beyond their long-standing popularity, they share a common trait: none of them ever received an Academy Award. Year after year, new horror films continue to innovate the genre, taking it to unprecedented heights (and lows) and exploring unconventional territories within filmmaking. Fans often express disappointment when prestigious organizations overlook these groundbreaking works for nominations. While a nominated horror movie’s cast and crew would welcome the recognition, the genre’s penchant for tackling boundary-pushing and controversial themes means that even exceptionally talented creative teams may find their work exceeding the bounds of traditional awards given to more conservative cinema.

Various measures can be employed to evaluate a film’s value, including box office performance, critical reviews, and awards recognition. These indicators can help gauge a film’s impact, but they don’t necessarily define its worth entirely. For instance, John Carpenter’s “The Thing” is now considered a significant contribution to sci-fi horror, despite being a flop both critically and commercially when it debuted in 1982. The film’s praise today often focuses on Rob Bottin’s special effects, even though he wasn’t nominated for any awards for his makeup work. Similarly, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” received mixed reviews upon its release, with Gene Siskel labeling it a “disappointment” with few thrills. Despite this, “The Shining” wasn’t entirely ignored by the award bodies, as Shelley Duvall and Stanley Kubrick were nominated for Razzie Awards for Worst Actress and Worst Director, respectively. Many horror films that are now cinema classics were initially overlooked upon their release.

Year after year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, much like other well-known institutions, emphasizes to film enthusiasts from all genres that these award ceremonies are designed to validate “authentic” cinema. Often, they overlook the value of horror movies (along with a large portion of sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero films), which underscores their disconnection from contemporary cinematic trends. Despite the disappointment and confusion that these nominations and awards may cause due to their misplaced focus, it does not diminish a fan’s passion for horror films in any way.

Occasionally, the Oscars make the right choices, as evidenced by films such as “The Exorcist,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Get Out,” “The Fly,” “Black Swan,” and “Jaws” all receiving Oscars. The horror genre reached its pinnacle at the 64th Academy Awards when “The Silence of the Lambs” won Best Director (Jonathan Demme), Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Actress (Jodie Foster), Best Adapted Screenplay, and the top honor of Best Picture. The 90th Academy Awards also recognized a genre film as Best Picture in Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” (with del Toro also winning Best Director). While “Parasite” may not have been strictly horror, it gained its power by blending several genres, ultimately winning Best Picture and Best Director at the 92nd Academy Awards.

Two outstanding horror movies from the 2010s that garnered significant acclaim are “The Babadook” directed by Jennifer Kent and “Hereditary” by Ari Aster. These films stand out due to captivating performances by Essie Davis and Toni Collette in their leading roles. Both films received high praise from critics, particularly for the lead performances, and generated buzz towards Oscar nominations. However, neither film was recognized by The Academy. Despite this oversight, the impact these movies have made, both initially and in the years since, is undeniable and will endure for many decades to come. In fact, as far back as 2023, Toni Collette herself acknowledged not receiving a nomination.

As a film enthusiast myself, it’s heartwarming to see such passion from fellow fans when I wasn’t nominated for an Oscar. It truly speaks volumes about the connection we share, and this situation provides a unique chance for us to bond on a more personal level than if I were holding that golden statue.

Regardless of whether these actors received Oscar nominations for their roles (Collette had previously earned a Supporting Actress nod for “The Sixth Sense”), they’ve both experienced remarkable career growth, and their fanbases have expanded significantly. The Oscars weren’t essential for them to become legends in the genre, and most artists would agree that awards from prestigious institutions are merely a delightful bonus. For creators, the real goal is to tell captivating stories, and the possibility of recognition by such organizations is simply the cherry on top. It’s always a positive when the Oscars acknowledge indie cinema, but it’s far from a regular occurrence.

A movie from any genre receiving a nomination is usually the result of various favorable circumstances coming together, as it involves each collaborator delivering their top performance and the appropriate timing of the film’s release can greatly impact the recognition they receive. For example, if films such as The Babadook or Hereditary had premiered a year earlier or later, the list of nominees could have been completely different. Similarly, if Black Swan was released a year later, Natalie Portman may not have won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Triumph for horror translates to a victory for horror enthusiasts and cinema in general. Being nominated may attract audiences who usually shy away from the genre, thereby exposing them to numerous captivating tales. Additionally, this success could inspire investors to back projects they might have ignored, seeing them as profitable ventures. However, even if The Substance fails to win awards, it doesn’t diminish the remarkable achievements of Fargeat’s film or any other films in the genre, past or future.

Horror movies are often created by and cater to people who reside at society’s cultural outskirts. Regardless of whether these films garner recognition on prominent award stages or are consistently overlooked, those on the fringe will revel in bold productions.

2025-01-28 02:10

Read More