Creativity With an Affinity for Darkness
The Dark Opera
  • Bio
  • Contact

Hey You, thanks for stopping by.

Scroll down for my latest work as well as for whatever's on my mind.

It's not all just dark stuff, so check back for a laugh, some motivation or for pure randomness.
 

I want to read a story

A Horror Love Letter

11/21/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Psychological Horror at its finest is horror as an abstract projection of the human psyche.

The best examples are Jacob’s ladder (1990) and the PlayStation 2 video game Silent Hill 2 (2001). While they do use delusion and/or hallucination like devices in their stories, they do more than just use them for shock value or to describe mental illness (usually in a negative light). Bringing up those very serious and alarming symptoms help question reality, but instead of being used to support supposed mental instability, it is used as a springboard to expand on the deep and intense feelings of their protagonists - to describe personal suffering.

When words fail to describe very real pain in life, the expression of our emotions is often better met through connection with art. When horror makes a point of illustrating intensity, it can relate internal conflict like no other. Suddenly the monster isn’t just a monster anymore, it can be say, the embodiment of a character’s resentment towards their father, or perhaps more vague still, repression incarnate. When other pieces of the story become connected commentary, as abstract as it may be, it can create a work of art that leaves an impression, makes you think, ignites conversation and can connect with people on a personal level. Do the two aforementioned titles do all those things? To varying degrees, yes, but is in no way as “good as it gets” as far as psychological horror is concerned.  It has yet to be developed in that aspect. The trick is to weave a coherent story, haunting enough to stand on its own, but have all the elements with which to be transform into something more profound for those who go looking for it.

Psychological Horror can be an important tool in expressing life’s otherwise difficult to describe personal horror, its ongoing torment and ultimately healing.

Psychological Horror can be meaningful.

Psychological horror can be art.

Psychological Horror has its place.

And needs your help

If you can - make it, promote it, read or watch it, write about and discuss it. Help it grow by sharing how it’s different from the other horror sub-genres.

Indulge when it finds you, and you may find yourself in it.

- Josh 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Welcome to the Dark Opera

    Celebrating and Inspiring Creativity

    'Like' our Facebook page
    'follow' us on Twitter
    'Subscribe' to the Youtube channel!


    Blog Writers

    Josh
    Kevin

    Archives

    October 2016
    October 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

    Categories

    All
    Art
    Book News
    Book Reviews
    Comics
    Creativity
    Dark Things
    For Your Life
    Game Review
    Gaming News
    Humor
    Humour
    Ideas
    Inspiration
    Interviews
    Movie Collecting
    Movie News
    Movie Review
    Movies
    Movie Short
    Movie Trailers
    Movie Trivia
    Music
    Poetry
    Recommendations
    Series Review
    Site News
    Ultimate Hot Chocolate Recipe
    Website Update
    What To Watch
    Writing

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.