How can we make horror more respectable?

[JasonLuck]

Just wanted to open this topic up for discussion. It seems that horror is a genre that does not get the attention and credit it deserves these days. How do you think this can be improved?

[Anthropophagus]

It can be improved by stopping all these remakes.

Stop using teens in skimpy clothing and who are too sexy.Horror works better with `real` looking characters.

Stop the comedy and romantic shit.

Ok,that's three from me.

[Ferox13]

Has Horror ever been respectable?

Sure there are some respected films that can be called horror but the genre itself has never been a respectable one.

[Kandarian Demon]

It's going to be difficult... there are a lot of snobbish people out there who are automatically assuming that all horror movies are stupid, and nothing you can say will change their mind.

I have to say that many horror movies today are missing the good story and the really talented actors - torture porn for the sake of torture porn won't ever be "respectable", and I'm afraid that's what most people associate the term "horror movie" with.

[MichaelMyers]

Need better gaffers.

[The Villain]

Isn't the whole point of horror to not be respectable? It's supposed to push boundaries and be disturbing. Trying to make horror movies more respectable is what's ruining them. People keep trying to make horror be appreciated by the masses but it's a genre that's really only appreciated by horror fans. Casual fans are able to watch the lighter, more mainstream ones but for the most part its exclusively for horror fans who do in fact give it the credit it deserves. There's nothing wrong with horror, just the mindset of the people making them right now.

[_____V_____]

I thought horror became very respectable the day Twilight hit theaters.

[xX_StarChild_Xx]

I think if more filmmakers were a bit deeper than "oh just throw a ton of blood at the screen and people will love it", the horror genre would be in a better state than it is now, when it comes to modern movies.

However, I find that when it comes to films that disturb or make you question things, make you confront feelings of dread and uncertainty that you otherwise wouldn't think of, the genre has alot to give from the past.

What's put the genre in the mess that it's in right now is the seemingly unstoppable trend of remakes, reboots and sequels. It's rare today that a great, original and challenging film comes out and when it does, nobody pays attention to it.

I think that horror is something that is niche, and will always be niche. The "masses" will always flock to the lowest common denominator, and as you can't really change peoples mind that may be the way that it's always going to be.

I would put my stock, personally, in filmmakers who like I said present challanging ideas, know how to cast someone who can do more than let out a blood curddling scream, and know how to present their work visually in a way that clicks with the subject matter.

Good luck, though, in getting most people to come to terms with the fact that horror is more than just blood and guts.