Film history has not been kind to the horror genre over the years. While horror films are designed to spook an audience or make them feel like they’re being watched from afar, they can often come off as being cheesy, too fake, or overdone. And a world of limitless computer technology to create hyperrealistic monsters and turn nightmares into an on-screen reality, it seems that the horror genre has struggled to keep up with the rest of the industry in terms of creating quality content. That is, until comedians got involved.
One of the most shocking twists in the film industry over the last decade has been the wave of comedians (stand up, skit writers, SNL staff, etc.) pivoting to work in horror. Although the genres should be complete opposites, it seems that some of the most successful horror content of the last decade or so has been straight from the minds of some of the funniest people on the planet. Jordan Peele - from the iconic comedy duo Key & Peele - arguably started this trend in 2014 with his hit horror/thriller Get Out, which was a front runner for the Oscar Best Picture award and proved to be one of the defining films of the 2010s. 2022 has proven that this trend looks to continue almost a decade later with the works of Zach Cregger and Pete Davidson.
Davidson’s work as a lead in the new horror/comedy film Bodies Bodies Bodies was one of the latest renditions of a comedian stepping into a horror role. But my personal favorite has to be Zack Cregger - one of the founding members of the comedy troupe Whitest Kids U’ Know- who’s directorial debut, Barbarian, has proven to be one of the scariest films I have ever seen. But an obvious question remains of why are funny people so good at making scary content?
The answer is timing. While the content of horror and comedy based media differ drastically, success in either of these genres banks entirely on delivery. A stand up comedian is as dull as ever if they deliver lines like a robot. Same thing goes for horror, as no monster or serial killer will leave a scary imprint if they rush their lines or wait too long to deliver their final statement before killing off the protagonist.
Maxwell Yezpitelok, a staff writer for the film media blog Cracked, breaks this down more specifically for us when he explains that, “During the making of a comedy, everyone involved is aware that this specific line is the setup, this is the dramatic pause, and this is the punchline.... It's the same in a good horror movie: here's the setup, here's the quiet moment that lulls you into a false sense of security, and here's … the creepy part” (Yezpitelok). Ultimately, it’s this understanding of timing which allows comedians to make engaging and memorable horror content, a trend which we are bound to see more of in the future.
I hadn't really thought of this new combination of horror and comedy but I have thoroughly enjoyed it! It is an exciting new age of horror in the movie industry because as you discussed before horror has been lacking lately. I do wonder if more people will follow after this trend with the success of "Get Out" and "Bodies Bodies Bodies." Will it also change the way horror movies are made and who goes into it. I wonder also if the growth of media and who the public wants to see in these movies plays an influence.
There has always been the stereotype that the funny friend is really depressed or deeply bothered and personally that's why I believe comedians can aspire to become great in the horror genre. I truly believed that Jordan Peele was a specific and unique case but the trend explained by your post proves me wrong. I do believe that not only will the comedy/horror genre excel in the future but I think that dual functionality when it comes to celebrities will become extremely normalized (ie YouTubers/boxers, Rappers/businessmen).
Very interesting post. I thought Jordan Peele is just one special case. Another reason comedy translate so well to horror that I can think of is that they are both about magnifying small things to evoke strong emotions. One good example of this is Big Short by Adam McKay which turns a story about finance into a full blown disaster film