|
I think women are generally portrayed pretty poorly in horror films. But I don't think horror movies are alone in this, and I don't think they are the worst either.
Unfortunately, there is still a strong undercurrent of misogyny in most of society, no matter how civilised and progressive we claim to be. Horror movies (like many other genres) reflect this.
Slasher films are a good example. Girls who have sex get murdered. Girls who maintain their virtue survive. It's like a modern day fairy tale, where girls that stray from the "right path" are brutally murdered. Those with the "strength" to resist are victorious in the end. Sure, guys are murdered to, but it's not because they lost their virtue.
Dracula is another case in point. Sure, it was written over 100 years ago, but the basics of the story remain popular with modern filmgoers. Is it a tale of xenophobia? It may be seen that way - a foreigner comes to the "civilised world" and infects local girls, thereby spawning a race of evil. Women are the victims, but they must invite Dracula into their room at night before he is able to spread his seed. So women are again seen as weak, but also as the potential point of downfall of the human race. A bit like Adam and Eve. If not for virtuous and true males, they are seen as somewhat willing prey for the vampire.
Women are often portrayed as physically weak, weak in morals, and dependent on men. It is only those women who are morally strong that stand a chance. But this imparts the message that women who aren't Madonnas are only worthy of rape/torture/murder. A very disturbing message in my mind.
Sure, I'm not talking about every horror movie out there. But it seems to be a general undercurrent in the genre.
Likewise, men are often portrayed as being a slave to primitive urges. However this is often portrayed as tragic, or beyond their control. Werewolf movies are an example of this. The (usually) male protagonist is attacked by a werewolf (usually a foreigner) and is then a slave to his baser instincts. He tries to resist, but it's seen as tragically beyond his control. There is usually considerable sadness and tragedy around his death. This is quite different to the woman in horror who gives in to her baser instincts. She is murdered mercilessly, without it being seen as a tragedy (she deserved it, right?). Likewise, in many movies that depict male murderers, there is usually some tragic past event revealed to explain (but not excuse) their behaviour. As opposed to the woman that loses her virtue. She is not explained, only relegated to the death count.
Not that other genres are much better. Comedies often make fun of the "undesirable" or immoral female character, however applaud male characters who are behaving in basically the same way (or worse). Girls who are not virtuous are often seen as sex objects, and no-one really cares much if they are lied to/taken advantage of/abused in some way. The world is a fucked up place.
I could go on. But I think film reflects the undercurrents of society's psyche. So I don't think we can really blame horror films or any genre for that matter. Society is fucked up, and film reflects that. Unfortunately, society likes seeing this sort of shit, so this message will keep getting reinforced.
|