4 Movies That Prove Animation Can be Scary Too!

by

As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for the avant-garde and surrealism, I find myself utterly captivated by these two cinematic gems – “The Wolf House” and “A Scanner Darkly”. They each offer a unique perspective on fear, self-agency, identity, and reality, themes that resonate deeply with my own experiences.

Most people don’t think of animated films as the ones that make you shudder. But hear me out: some of the best horror and thrillers are animated because of the medium’s flexibility. Concepts like reality warping can take a lot of artistic liberty in animation. Auteurs really shine by showcasing specific styles, like claymation. To push my animation agenda, I thought I would compile a list of a few of my favorite scary animated films to keep you up at night.

Perfect Blue

Satoshi Kon was the director of the 1997 film Perfect Blue, a work that remains remarkably pertinent to current themes surrounding fandom and female celebrity. In my view, this masterpiece not only ranks among the greatest psychological thrillers or animated productions ever made but also among the finest films of all time. [Editor’s Note: This film was released before I was born, making me feel a bit like an ancient artifact.]]

The movie focuses on Mina, a former pop sensation who leaves her band to venture into acting. Some fans disapprove of this decision. However, an unsettling turn of events occurs as those around Mina start mysteriously dying. Koen explores the world of celebrities, particularly female stars, by examining their struggle for autonomy and the paradox that even famous individuals are often expected to relinquish a degree of control over their lives.

In many horror and thriller stories, obsession is a common theme. But in the modern context, as portrayed in the anime “Perfect Blue”, it’s presented through the lens of fan culture. The creator, Kon, uses vivid, dreamlike visuals to critique the dangerous dynamics of parasocial relationships and the importance of setting boundaries between fans and celebrities.

Kon’s entire filmography is worth checking out, but Perfect Blue is one of his best for sure. It’s available to rent or buy on YouTube.

Coraline

2009’s beloved kids’ animated film, “Coraline,” continues to give me chills even after all these years. The movie was helmed by director Henry Selick, who also worked on “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “James and the Giant Peach.

The story, titled Coraline, revolves around its 11-year-old protagonist of the same name who stumbles upon a hidden doorway that grants access to an enchanting parallel world where her existence is idealized. However, she finds herself needing to forfeit something in her real life in exchange for staying within this alternate reality.

What’s chilling about Coraline is that her seemingly magical Other World transforms into a horrifying reality. Frankly, it’s hard to believe this movie is intended for children, given its PG rating.

Other children’s films seldom delve into real-life fears such as parental imperfections, one’s own privilege, and the high cost of abundance. What might be most terrifying is that, similar to Coraline, we often struggle to discern between good and evil. This lesson remains relevant even in adulthood.

Coralne’s captivating stop-motion artistry stands out uniquely within the realm of animation, translating whimsical, oversized fairy tale sketches into live-action cinema. You can now stream this masterpiece, Coraline, on Tubi.

The Wolf House

Titled originally as “La Casa Lobo” in Spanish, The Wolf House, is a unique film hailing from Chile, directed by Cristobal León & Joaquín Cociña. The animation technique, distinctly special, employs stop-motion, painting, and papier-mâché to create a hauntingly childlike appearance. Its narrative is grounded in reality, revolving around Colonia Dignidad, an enigmatic Chilean settlement founded by German immigrants post World War II. Over time, this secluded community garnered notoriety as allegations of torture and illegal activities surfaced, eventually leading the public and media to label it a cult, due to its closed-off nature.

In a rural colony called Colonia Dignidad, there lived a young girl named María. After losing three pigs, she found herself facing punishment within this enclosed community. This situation led her to escape to an abandoned house hidden deep within the forest. The movie, titled The Wolf House, is set up as a fable-esque propaganda film designed to brainwash people into joining a cult. What makes it particularly intriguing is its seamless blend of avant-garde and surrealistic elements throughout the narrative.

My heart pounded the most when I discovered I had unwittingly fallen for the manipulative messages. At first, I viewed the figure (representing the cult leader) as malevolent. However, as the story unfolded, much like María, I found myself questioning this viewpoint. The narrative serves as a metaphor for how individuals can exploit others’ fears and indoctrinate them, similar to real-life cults.

Horror movies exploit people’s fears, while society does it subtly using advertising, social media, and news. This serves as a reflection of our personal autonomy – the fact that we possess free will, don’t we?

It’s advisable to learn about Colonia Dignidad’s past before watching the movie. Knowing the background of the place will enrich your understanding of the story, as the film incorporates numerous intricacies from Chilean history in its plot. Although the movie may be challenging to follow at times, it effectively portrays a chilling atmosphere.

The Wolf House is available to stream on Fubo and Hoopla.

A Scanner Darkly

A Scanner Darkly” stands out as a surprising choice among the works of director Richard Linklater, best known for “Before Sunrise” trilogy and “Dazed and Confused.” This film is an unnerving animated production featuring Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., and Winona Ryder.

In 2006, the movie employed a technique called Rotoscoping, where artists draw over real-life video footage to produce realistic animations. Essentially, this method allows the actors in the film to seem like their characters because the animation is based on their actual performance captured in the video.

In addition to its distinctive animation, A Scanner Darkly offers an intense and gripping tale about Bob Arctor, a cop undercover in a future America struggling with widespread addiction to a substance causing hallucinations. Arctor goes deep into the drug-infested society to penetrate the distribution network.

In “A Scanner Darkly,” as Arctor delves deeper into the use of Substance D, it becomes increasingly challenging to discern reality from illusion. The constant paranoia arises because everyone wears scramble suits, concealing their genuine identities, thereby emphasizing the widespread apprehension about people’s true motives.

In neither case does the crowd nor Arctor have a clear ally they can rely on, and what’s more troubling is that Arctor himself acts in a manner contrary to his initial intentions. Living two distinct lives, Arctor finds himself in situations that mirror those of numerous others.

A Scanner Darkly is available to stream for free on YouTube.

There are numerous other films I could discuss, ranging from the intensely scary and disquieting masterpiece “Mad God” by Phil Tippet to another work by Satoshi Kon, “Paprika”, which in many aspects surpasses “Inception”. In essence, “Inception” falls short compared to “Paprika”.

Nevertheless, let’s deviate slightly. Animation is frequently pigeonholed as being solely for children’s shows. I fervently wish that more attention would be given to animation that maximizes its potential. The value of portraying ideas that cannot fully materialize in our physical world makes it a resource we should not overlook.

Read More

2024-11-01 02:03