My First Scary Movie: A Personal Journey Through Early Horror

Horror films have always had a unique power to captivate and terrify audiences. For me, it was a Blair Witch Project that sparked the initial frights of my teenage years.

Triggering a Cursed Forest

One evening, after a hiking trip in the Adelaide Hills, I recounted the eerie feeling I got surrounded by the pine forest. My mum mentioned the Blair Witch Project and explained how it reminded her of the experience. Intrigued, I decided to watch the film that night, even though I was only 15 years old.

To my surprise, the movie was more psychological and eerie than I anticipated. Its realist videography and the sense of mystery surrounding the witch left me unsettled. The isolation of the main characters, especially the characters' fear of lonely darkness, profoundly impacted me. In fact, the realism of the film kept me wide awake with the nightlight on, and certain scenes still gave me sudden chills even as an adult.

The Early Horror Films

Looking back, I have vague memories of my first encounters with horror films growing up. Two movies stand out: House of Frankenstein and The Mummy’s Ghost, both from 1944. The way these films depicted their creatures left a permanent impression on me. In particular, the ending of The Mummy’s Ghost shocked me as a child, something I was not familiar with at the time.

The Scary Originals

The first proper horror film that scared me was likely Psycho. Seeing it later in a theater brought a new appreciation for the plot twists and the chilling atmosphere it creates. For a while, I saw any horror film through the lens of Psycho, until the familiarity made me view them as more about suspense and drama than fear.

The Evolution of Horror

Even as an adult, I can still remember the shock of a Clown movie from my childhood. The classic monster suit, with its silly yet terrifying eyes as ping-pong balls, was once a nightmare. It's funny how over time, the same creatures that once terrified us can become the subject of humor.

Another thing that changed was the collection of a clown costume by my brother. Every time he intended to scare me, it just added more to my initial fear of the Clown and Psycho.

Overall, these early experiences with horror films played a significant role in shaping my fear of the unknown and the power of storytelling in captivating and terrifying audiences. From Blair Witch Project to Psycho, the evolution of horror films is a fascinating journey through the power of suspense and the human psyche.