The horror genre is quite unique in the sense that people subject themselves to blood and terror simply to get a glimpse at the macabre and fear inducing monsters. I happen to be one of those people who loves to be challenged by a film and although I'm not a zealot of the genre, I do enjoy a film that can successfully make me squirm with fear. Yet, I have found that over the last twenty years or so, the horror genre has become a stale bore. The films that horror has to offer now seem to either be too interested in delivering cheap, one note noise scares or it's too invested in turning on those who have a sexual fetish for blood. If anything, the horror genre nowadays has me questioning it, not championing it. Where is the story? Where are the characters I should be caring about? And most of all, where is the ascension of tension?
I'm extremely pleased to say that I've finally found a horror film from the last decade (aside from a few) that I'm willing to recommend to folks who are looking for a more worthy film in the horror genre, and that film is "Drag Me to Hell", a throwback of sorts for director Sam Raimi. As you may or may not know, Sam Raimi's career took off with the cult classic "Evil Dead" which deftly blends horror and comedy into one bloody, hilarious ride. Much of the same could be said for "Drag Me to Hell". It's certainly dark, it's clever, and it's ultimately a fun ride. Granted, I don't think "Drag Me..." is as funny as Raimi's "Evil Dead", but its certainly a film that packs a respected punch in regards to graphic humor.
With humor aside, there is a lot "Drag Me..." does right. Firstly and in many respects most importantly, Raimi is able to create a protagonist that we can relate to or in the very least, understand her thought process. When any film, let alone a horror film, neglects this notion, the audience simply can't grow to like or care for the tormented protagonist, regardless if there is a knife wielding psycho chasing them. And, unlike most of the horror films seen in the last decade, Raimi's female protagonist isn't a piece of glorified sex meat. Or more specifically, when she's running from danger, her breasts aren't bursting out of her shirt. So, instead of casting the "hottest piece of ass" at the time, Raimi casted the beautiful and wonderful Alison Lohman, who delivers an understated performance full of innocence, that once again, only gets the audience more in tune with the protagonist's nightmare.
Ofcourse, despite our investment in Lohman's character and her safety, we're still looking for something to scare us and heighten the tension. Let's just say that Raimi fulfills such a hunger. Through minimal "jump scares" and good old tension building (through use of sound and camera positioning/shots), Raimi is able to create an environment that not only puts our protagonist in doubt, but us as well. When this is accompanied by a story that contains solid twists and turns, you have a film that can manipulate the viewer in dramatic fashion.
And I think that's the biggest positive about "Drag Me...", its scares and contortions are never cheap. Raimi sets up everything from character motivation to the actual scares themselves in a sensible and clever way. Nothing plays to horror convention, which is extremely refreshing to see in an age of horror copy cats and remakes. So, I say go out and rent "Drag Me to Hell". Turn off the lights, cuddle up with your significant other or pet, and watch a film that is not only sadistic, but also one hell of a creepy, good time.
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