The journey into ’80s horror continues with In Search of Darkness: Part II. David A. Weiner’s epic documentary begins with a veracious quote from renowned horror director Dario Argento: “Horror is like a serpent; always shedding its skin, always changing.” Argento’s sentiment perfectly encapsulates the horror genre. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a new release surprises and expands on the countless possibilities of the genre. During the 1980s, horror continued to rise in popularity and a breadth of notable titles were released. Rather than focusing on the most popular horror movies of the 80s, In Search of Darkness: Part II analyzes the more obscure releases of the decade. With over 4 hours of interviews from industry experts and original cast & crew members, In Search of Darkness: Part II provides an informative and captivating look at the evolution of horror in the 80s.
The Significance of Horror
As In Search of Darkness: Part II shows, horror is one of the most vital genres in film. Horror boldly explored ‘taboo’ topics and ideas in the ’80s that few other genres dared to. For instance, original cast members Robert Englund and Robert Rusler discuss the homoerotic undertones in A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge. Rusler mentions that many gay men felt empowered to be themselves after viewing the film. This represents how inclusive and open-minded the horror community was even back then. A homoerotic movie may not seem like a big deal today, but Freddy’s Revenge was released in 1985, a time when gay men were still heavily discriminated against. Considering this, Freddy’s Revenge was a very progressive horror film for its time.
Beyond this, horror also helps people deal with their fears. Infamous scream queen Linnea Quigley (The Return of the Living Dead) states that viewers live “vicariously” through characters in horror films. Watching a movie can be very therapeutic, especially when you identify with the characters and their struggles. When we see a character triumph over evil, it inspires us to overcome our own problems. Industry expert Heather Wixon describes watching horror movies as a “personal” journey. Everyone has a different interpretation and experience while watching a movie; After all, film is an art form. What one person derives meaning from, another may not, but that’s what’s great about horror movies. They can contain a deeper meaning or hidden message and still entertain. Overall, whether you watch for the blood and guts or the hidden subtext, horror is meaningful nonetheless.
A Varied Genre
One of the biggest strengths of horror is its variation. As In Search of Darkness: Part II proves, there’s something for everyone within the genre. Your experience while watching The Shining will be very different than watching Gremlins, but they’re both considered horror movies. Horror is made even more powerful when it’s effectively blended with other genres. When a film is able to elicit several different emotions from viewers, the experience is all the more memorable. Classics such as Evil Dead II and An American Werewolf in London are examples of movies that successfully blended horror and comedy together. While genre-blending was nothing new in the ’80s, horror filmmakers made a concerted effort to experiment in their movies. This experimentation laid the foundation for the creation of several diverse subgenres that are still thriving today. These various subgenres are a part of what makes horror so unique. There’s an endless amount of ways to scare people.
Actor Insight
The numerous in-depth interviews with horror icons and cast members provide an interesting insight into the role of actors. Needless to say, good actors are essential for a film to be great. As director Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th) says in the movie, “the better your actors are, the better shape you’re in.” Acting can be a very physically and emotionally draining job. As such, actors deserve the utmost respect for what they’re able to do. Great actors bring a distinct presence into their roles. It’s why Robert Englund will forever be known as Freddy Krueger, why Bruce Campbell will always be Ash Williams, and so on. In Search of Darkness: Part II perfectly displays the passion and drive that actors have for their craft and the horror genre as a whole.
Unreleased Horror Projects
Lastly, a featurette I found very interesting in the film was centered around unreleased horror movies. The film industry can be brutal and unforgiving, even for established filmmakers. It surprised me how many projects were turned down or altered significantly that had real potential. Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna’s (Re-Animator) unmade film, The Shadow Over Innsmouth, had a plethora of unique concepts. Every studio they pitched the idea to, however, found the concept “ridiculous”. Studio executives often opt to produce what will make the most money versus what will be the best movie. For better or worse, film is a business at the end of the day.
Unlike most horror sequels, In Search of Darkness: Part II matches the quality (and quantity) of the original. While the documentary may be over 4 hours long, it never drags. David A. Weiner’s work is packed full of intriguing analyses and fresh insight. Anyone interested in horror will love this documentary. As a horror fan, I came away with a greater admiration and respect for the genre than I already had. Listening to the horror icons of years past is truly inspiring. Also, there were several movies discussed in the film that I’ve never heard of. As a result, my watchlist has become a lot more crowded, and I’m certain yours will too after watching it.
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