Guns in horror

[killthesunset]

I wanted to ask people's opinions on whether guns really add to a horror movie? Are they that scary? Trying to think (other than grindhouse exceptions) where guns really add to the film?

[Repo'd]

Reggie's quadruple barrel shotgun in Phantasm certainly adds something special.

[MichaelMyers]

Guns don't kill the killer. That I've learned.

[The Bloofer Lady]

Guns can kill but they're not scary like a hatchet or a butcher knife, etc. Its the expectation of the pain caused. Guns are more suited to gangster movies. Picture Michael Myers walking with a gun....

[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by killthesunset

I wanted to ask people's opinions on whether guns really add to a horror movie? Are they that scary? Trying to think (other than grindhouse exceptions) where guns really add to the film?

Seems like an odd question. Of course adding a gun to a situation changes things a lot. Speaking of horror in films, when a disturbed person pulls out a gun, it gets very scary. Things have just become deadly. When Im deeply involved with the characters and their safety, it's scares me plenty.

It's all in the context. If you're in the middle of an over-the-top zombie, vampire, werewolf action adventure, seeing a gun isn't likely to be scary.

[SerialKiller]

Guns are not scary in horror films. Too fast & convenient for my taste. The psychopath holding the gun is whats really scary. I'd rather be shot than attacked with a chainsaw though. You saw what Mike did with Brady's shotgun in H4, like bitch I don't need this, as he casually tossed it aside. He used his hands. That's scary.

[horcrux2007]

They can be quick and shocking at times, but as for a longer lasting terror, they're not very effective.

[Giganticface]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Seems like an odd question. Of course adding a gun to a situation changes things a lot. Speaking of horror in films, when a disturbed person pulls out a gun, it gets very scary. Things have just become deadly. When Im deeply involved with the characters and there safety, it's scares me plenty.

It's all in the context. If you're in the middle of an over-the-top zombie, vampire, werewolf action adventure, seeing a gun isn't likely to be scary.

I agree with Sculpt 100%. It's all about the context.

[MichaelMyers]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Seems like an odd question. Of course adding a gun to a situation changes things a lot. Speaking of horror in films, when a disturbed person pulls out a gun, it gets very scary. Things have just become deadly. When Im deeply involved with the characters and there safety, it's scares me plenty.

It's all in the context. If you're in the middle of an over-the-top zombie, vampire, werewolf action adventure, seeing a gun isn't likely to be scary.

Do you feel a twinge of horror when you see someone carrying a gun around in public?

[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by MichaelMyers

Do you feel a twinge of horror when you see someone carrying a gun around in public?

Basically no. In my state, the only people allowed to carry non-concealed guns in "public" are police. If I saw a plain-clothes person "out in public" with a gun out, I would immediately try to determine why. You might label that as a "twinge of horror", although I wouldn't describe it in those words -- more a concern for life. Concern isn't horror, but horror is concern.