Filed under: Features
Every other day it seems Hollywood decides to remake another iconic horror film. First Texas Chainsaw Massacre, then a slew of highly stylized rehashes followed including Amytyville Horror, The Hills Have Eyes, and The Hitcher. Wait, there are more: Dawn of the Dead, When A Stranger Calls, Prom Night, House of Wax… What has happened in the last ten years that has convinced filmmakers to remake and rehash horror franchises of old?
The horror remake has become incredibly prominent mostly because of its simplicity, in both creative and financial contexts: pre-existing story, characters and fan base provide a template that, in the eyes of Hollywood studios, has proven a sound investment. Even if a remake does poorly in theaters, the subsequent DVD releases sell well. What does that mean for horror fans who both enjoyed the original films and want to see some new horror concepts? Welcome to what Pauline Kael has called “trash culture”; you could always pretend the Saw franchise is still new.
