The weird is the unexpected and uncanny. Weird Horror has you sitting at the edge of your seat just a little bit differently. In horror, the gore and mystery unfolds in very easily defined ways. Horror is all about rules and when you break the rules, you die. However, weird horror usually turns these rules on their heads. Weird Horror does not follow expected horror conventions. I think that's what makes it so exciting.
This week I started to read the Monster Island trilogy by David Wellington. It started off as a traditional zombie book. As it evolved, it was revealed that a survivor took it upon himself to join the ranks of the undead and in the process he became a powerful creature who could think even after death. He even had the power to control and drain power from other zombies. In traditional zombie lore, zombies are shambling, mind-less monsters only interested in human flesh. A reader does not expect a sudden appearance of a smart and almost all-powerful zombie to step into the field. This eerie and uncanny turn of events qualifies this trilogy as weird horror. Even the required movie for the week breaks the rules.
Cabin in the Woods, uses the classic horror tropes to make viewers feel comfortable. It lures the audience into a false security before ripping the rug out from under them. I hope horror continues in this fashion. Weird horror pushes the boundaries of horror conventions. Characters and plots break free of common tropes and allow audiences to be surprised by horror once again.
This week I started to read the Monster Island trilogy by David Wellington. It started off as a traditional zombie book. As it evolved, it was revealed that a survivor took it upon himself to join the ranks of the undead and in the process he became a powerful creature who could think even after death. He even had the power to control and drain power from other zombies. In traditional zombie lore, zombies are shambling, mind-less monsters only interested in human flesh. A reader does not expect a sudden appearance of a smart and almost all-powerful zombie to step into the field. This eerie and uncanny turn of events qualifies this trilogy as weird horror. Even the required movie for the week breaks the rules.
Cabin in the Woods, uses the classic horror tropes to make viewers feel comfortable. It lures the audience into a false security before ripping the rug out from under them. I hope horror continues in this fashion. Weird horror pushes the boundaries of horror conventions. Characters and plots break free of common tropes and allow audiences to be surprised by horror once again.
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