Why Modern Horror Franchises Emphasize Corporate Evil Over Creature Threats
In the realm of modern horror, there's a recurring trope where franchises about monsters or animals often sideline the creature plot to focus on a malevolent corporation. This trend has become increasingly prevalent, particularly in the past few decades. The notion that large corporations are the scapegoats for everything wrong in the world has become a common narrative, despite its weariness in today's storytelling landscape.
The Transition Towards Corporate Evil
The shift from traditional monster-centric horror to corporate-focused narratives is a fascinating aspect of contemporary horror franchises. Films such as the Alien franchise and other horror series like Universal Monsters and slashers have traditionally provided a mix of origins and motivations for their creatures. However, the current trend of homogenizing the enemy—sovereign entities such as the government or corporations—has become a dominant theme.
Moreover, this narrative shift often plays into the post-deconstructive ethos that emerged with films like Watchmen. The moral ambiguity of heroes and villains, good and evil, has been blurred, and these entities are often portrayed as the real threat. In this era, audiences are more inclined to empathize with such entities rather than hold them to moral standards, a phenomenon exemplified by the proliferation of corporate villains in contemporary horror.
The Worrying Nature of Deliberately Created Monsters
One of the reasons why these corporate narratives have taken center stage is that they are perceived as a greater threat when compared to random, unpredictable monsters. When a creature is the result of deliberate human manipulation or scientific advancement, it adds a layer of concern that is otherwise absent in the case of a random fluke. This is reflected in films like From Beyond (1985), where a lab assistant is framed for murder, only to be exonerated after the incriminating evidence is revealed to be the result of the experiment he was conducting.
The movie uses this narrative to highlight the pernicious ways in which those in control use technology and science to manipulate and corrupt. The assistant, who is not inherently evil but a victim of science and the supernatural, becomes a cautionary tale about the boundaries of human experimentation. His transformation into a paranoid, unbalanced creature serves as a critique of blind curiosity and the consequences of pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
The Psychological Evolution of Monster Franchises
Another critical aspect of this shift is the way it makes the creatures more sympathetic. Classics like Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde portray their titular characters as victims of science and the supernatural rather than inherently evil individuals. Their rampages are often the result of human disregard for the potential dangers of scientific advancement or the supernatural. This shift towards empathy for the creatures serves to humanize them, making the audience question the morality of the actions of the corporate or governmental entities.
The deliberate creation of monsters by hostile corporations adds a layer of concern and tension to the narrative. When a monster is portrayed as a result of human manipulation, it raises questions about the responsibilities of those in control and the ethical bounds of scientific exploration. This narrative structure allows for a more nuanced exploration of the themes of corporate greed and the potential for scientific misconduct, further enriching the horror genre.
Ultimately, the shift towards a focus on corporate evil over creature threats in horror franchises reflects a broader societal shift towards skepticism of authority and institutions. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked corporate power and the importance of holding such entities to moral standards. This narrative not only entertains but also raises important questions about the ethics of scientific discovery and the potential consequences of our actions.