This is another entry in the "why are they scary" category. Having played a serial killer in one of my earlier films, I can see the appeal in terms of horror movie making. They look like normal people, maybe throw on a hockey mask or something but it isn't like you need CGI to bring a serial killer to life. And the reason why is the same reason they are so scary, they look like you and me. Even scarier, they strike with no rhyme or reason besides opportunity. From HH Holmes to the guy they just caught in Spartanburg, people that prey on other humans for reasons besides love and money are very frightening as they are almost impossible to understand or anticipate.
Silence of the Lambs is largely predicated on the idea that you can get inside the head of a serial killer (of course, only by being one yourself). Serial killers sometimes operate on the road, making them even harder to track. These aren't monsters or myths, these are your unassuming neighbors. Next time you are standing in a line, think about the odds that someone in that line with you is into some sick stuff and may even act on it.
Of course, the odds of being victimized by one are super slim but, people win the lottery sometimes, too. I can't provide much comfort from this horror because it is very much real.
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| Not Walter Matthau |
"in one of my earlier films" :D
ReplyDelete"people that prey on other humans for reasons besides love and money are very frightening as they are almost impossible to understand or anticipate." - Yeah, John and I were talking about exactly this the other day, because I do tend to be able to relate to most people, even if their problems aren't similar to my own necessarily, but this is one of those situations where I just can't even... which is terrifying. If you can't relate or figure out why or empathize with someone, then you are left completely in the dark and have no way to prepare yourself or whatever. Ugh.