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COM-321-A: Blog 4- Critical Analysis of “The Conjuring”

"The Conjuring," directed by James Wan in 2013, is a spine-chilling horror film which traps the audience with its terrifying narrative. It is viewed by many as a conventional haunted house story. However, a deeper look into the film reveals an exploration of the blurred lines between the supernatural and the human realm. “The Conjuring” not only creates a traditional horror experience for the audience, but also serves as an exploration of the psychological battles which individuals face when confronting their inner demons. "The Conjuring" creates a connection between supernatural and psychological horror. The greatest takeaway from the film is how external and internal hauntings can become intertwined and have an impact on an individual.

One of the film's strengths lies in its rich character development, which contributes to our understanding between external and internal hauntings. The Warrens, who were well known paranormal investigators and the protagonists of the story, personify external and internal hauntings. While their primary goal is to confront malevolent spirits that plague haunted houses, they also are faced with their own fears and vulnerabilities throughout the film. In a review of “The Conjuring” by Manohla Dargis of The NY Times, she says “Evidently it’s easier to believe in the terrors that can’t hurt us than to believe in those that can, which may partly account for why so many vampires, zombies and their paranormal ilk are running amok in the popular imagination. Each era brings its own allegorical terrors, and in the 1970s, a golden age of horror cinema, the aftershocks of the 1960s found expression in stories about diabolically terrifying spawn who, with their swiveling heads and annihilating violence, were grotesque embodiments of a generational anxiety” (Dargis,2013). By delving into the personal traumas that the Warrens had faced throughout their paranormal careers, the film portrays how encounters with external entities and spirits reflects one encountering their own internal demons.

There are various symbols throughout "The Conjuring" which reinforce the idea that there is a connection between supernatural and psychological horror. The Annabelle doll, for instance, serves as a symbol of repressed fears and unresolved traumas. The doll embodies the darkness which the characters face throughout the film. The sense of fear and dread which comes from the presence of the Annabelle doll reflects the internal struggles which the characters in the film are dealing with. In addition, the film is filled with scenes in dark basements and hidden spaces. These symbolize the various depths of the human, as they suggest that true horror often times are present within ourselves. By using symbols such as the Annabelle doll and dark basements, it allows for the audience to create a connection to their own personal fears and inner terrors.

"The Conjuring" explores the idea that evil is not confined to external entities, but can also emerge from within humans themselves. The film is meant to show that haunted houses are not only physical structures meant for the sole purpose of being scary, but are reflections of the emotional challenges brought about by past traumas. From this perspective, "The Conjuring" suggests that freedom from external hauntings and entities can only be achieved by confronting and overcoming one's personal issues. For example, the Warrens' professional expertise in the supernatural and paranormal realm is reflected by their ability to individuals whom are haunted by their own inner demons.

Overall, "The Conjuring" transcends the realm of a typical horror film by creating a complex narrative which explores the psychological depths of its characters. Through the character development, symbolism, and thematic exploration in the film, it presents a deeper interpretation of the interactions between external and internal hauntings. By confronting these supernatural entities in the film, the characters are also confronting their own fears and past traumas.

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COM-321-A: Blog 3- Director Review

James Wan is a highly recognized director, producer, and screenwriter in the film industry. Wan is a Malaysian-born Australian who was born on February 26, 1977. He has gained most of his prominence for his work in the horror film genre. Wan's directorial debut came with the cult classic Wan’s directing career sparked in 2004 with the release of "Saw", which became a successful film franchise. He mastered his work with horror and gained even more recognition with films like "Insidious" and "The Conjuring," both of which became extremely successful horror franchises. Wan has a history of utilizing skillful story-telling and extreme atmospheric tension throughout his films, all which has earned him an extremely devoted fanbase. Beyond horror, he has also directed action films like "Furious 7" and delved into producing various films of other genres. When it comes to his track record in the supernatural and paranormal aspect of horror films, any James Wan horror film will surely keep you on the edge of your seat.

The following is an interview with James Wan following the release of “The Conjuring 2.” Wan explains that he has a deep love for the horror genre, and makes a shocking statement that he finds horror films much like comedy films. He explains that when he watches the audience of his films, they find themselves screaming at the scary scenes, and then actually laugh at themselves for being so scared. It was very interesting hearing Wan make this connection between horror and comedy.

The following is a review by Chris Coffel on film schools rejects. “Saw isn’t the film that helped coin the term “torture porn,” but it is the film that is often credited with ushering in a new era of extreme horror that eventually led to that lazy label. Saw caught critics of the day off guard. While many appreciated what the film accomplished on a small budget, particularly the special effects, Saw was criticized as a cheap attempt at shock value and a poor imitation of Se7en. The screenplay, frenetic editing choices, and exaggerated performances were also the source of much scorn. The film managed to overcome the mixed critical reception to spawn a franchise that is currently 9-films deep. And the legacy has continued to grow. While the film still has its detractors, it is widely considered a modern masterpiece in horror circles, praised for its use of a single location, inventive death scenes, and stylistic violence” (Coffel, 2021). Overall, this review of Wan explores how he was able to revamp the horror genre and start a successful film franchise.

The following is a review of “Insidious” by Owen Gleiberman on ew.com. Gleiberman says “Insidious is a haunted-house movie that has some of the most shivery and indelible images I’ve seen in any horror film in decades. Yes, it’s that unsettling. Directed by James Wan (Saw) and produced by Oren Peli, the auteur of the Paranormal Activity films, the movie is about a couple (Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne) whose home is plagued by the usual clanks, growls, and playfully sinister disturbances. Then one of the family’s young sons lapses into a coma. It’s his spirit that’s been hijacked, overtaken by ghosts who have a way of showing their creepy, smiling, old-fashioned nightmare faces at just the right moment to goose you with anxiety. Lin Shaye plays the psychic exorcist who can see into their world, and her fluky cornball intensity lifts the film into a realm of menacing excitement. Wan is better known for severed limbs than subtlety, but here he reaches back to the stately spookiness of the 1962 low-budget classic Carnival of Souls and adds a touch of early David Lynch to conjure up a vision of hell that is terrifying in its dreamlike banality. Like most haunted-house films, Insidious is a contraption, but it’s one that won’t let go of you” Gleiberman, 2011).

Wan has been extremely successful at creating a sense of unease within the audience of his horror films. Wan wants the audience to be on the edge of their seats throughout the entirety of his films. By utilizing these supernatural entities and monsters, Wan has never failed to do. His unique utilization of jump scares, eerie sounds, and dark camera lighting throughout his films really create an aspect of dread and terror, both which are main components of supernatural horror films.

The following is a review of “The Conjuring: The Devil Made me do it” by Alison Willmore from The Vulture. She says “The Devil Made Me Do It isn’t directed by Wan (who did return for the 2016 sequel), but by The Curse of La Llorona’s Michael Chaves, who cribs capably from Wan’s approach to timing and misdirection without coming up with anything good enough to rival Lili Taylor being lured into the basement to play hide-and-clap with a ghost. It’s not Chaves’s takeover that makes this new film feel like it runs off the rails — it’s the choice to shift focus from a haunting to a murder. Possession has always been a part of the Conjuring films, with demon-controlled characters attempting to kill their children or themselves in climactic moments before the Warrens intervene. But in The Devil Made Me Do It, Arne Johnson (Ruairi O’Connor) actually manages to murder the landlord of the apartment he and his girlfriend, Debbie (Sarah Catherine Hook), rent — though, as the film would have it, it’s all due to the demon he absorbed during the exorcism of Debbie’s younger brother, David (Julian Hilliard). The Warrens are too late to stop the killing, but they do approach Arne’s lawyer and offer to help her prove that he’s not guilty by reason of demonic possession” (Willmore, 2021). In this review, we see a reoccurring element of hauntings and ghostly beings in the film. Wan is notorious for having some sort of possessing demon in his horror films.

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COM-321-A: Blog 2- “Insidious”

Released in 2010, "Insidious" has established established itself as a spine-chilling horror film that has left audiences terrified. Directed by James Wan, the movie delves into the realm of the supernatural, blending psychological suspense and jump scares to create an unsettling experience for viewers. “Inisidious” has become an extremely popular work in the horror film genre as a franchise. The “Insidious” franchise is ahead of its time with the unique sequence of events and how each of the films intertwine and jump back and forth between the future and present.

"Insidious" follows the Lambert family as they navigate a horrifying ordeal that unfolds within the confines of their new home. Josh and Renai Lambert, played by Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, are loving parents who experience an inexplicable and disturbing event when their young son, Dalton, falls into a mysterious coma-like state. The parents are given no medical diagnosis for Dalton, and they are at a loss for what to do. Many of the haunting are and malevolent spirits are recognized by Renai, who desperately tries to convince her husband Josh that their home is haunted. Josh is seemingly in denial at first, until Renai shows a bloody handprint which she found on Dalton’s bed sheets one night when he arrived home from work.

As months have passed and these evil entities become more and more present in the home, the Lambert’s decide that they should pack their things up and move. However, the hauntings continue at their new home, and they are left with no option but to seek help from paranormal investigators led by Elise Rainier, portrayed by Lin Shaye. Elise reveals that Dalton's condition is not a result of a physical ailment, but a form of astral projection as she describes it in the film. Dalton's consciousness has traveled to a dark and menacing realm called "The Further," leaving his physical body vulnerable to spiritual entities. Elise explains that Dalton has been capable of traveling to “The Further” in his sleep for a very long time. Elise is able to see these entities in the real world and sees the demonic entity which is trying to consume dalton in his bedroom. As the Lamberts try to save their son and unravel the mysteries of The Further, they encounter terrifying malevolent spirits along the way. With Elise's guidance and the assistance of her assistants, Specs and Tucker, the family endures a long and frightening journey to rescue Dalton's soul before it's too late.

The characters in "Insidious" contribute to the film's emotional depth and intensity. Patrick Wilson portrays Josh Lambert with a perfect balance of vulnerability and determination. His transformation from a loving father to a tormented soul creates a sense of empathy within the audience. Rose Byrne delivers a compelling performance as Renai Lambert, effectively capturing her character's fear and desperation as she fights to protect her family from the supernatural forces in which they are haunted by. Lin Shaye's portrayal of Elise Rainier is extremely fascinating, as she brings both wisdom and vulnerability to the role. She serves as the bridge between the physical world and the alternate universe called “The Further.”

https://eprints.ums.ac.id/25032/9/publication_article.pdf

"Insidious" relies heavily on atmospheric tension to create an eerie and horrifying setting. Wan skillfully uses cinematography, lighting, and sound design to build suspense and unsettle the audience. The use of long, steady shots combined with the strategic placement of shadows and eerie background noises cultivates an atmosphere of dread. When watching the film, the first thing I noticed was the dark lighting. The film is recorded in some sort of grey and dark screen color which creates a feeling of unease throughout. The film utilizes sudden sound effects as the characters are about to experience a malevolent spirit which catches the audience by surprise. One scene that really stood out to me is the baby monitor scene, where Renai can hear voices coming from her infant daughter's bedroom. The way the camera zooms in on the monitor was extremely unsettling to me. In addition, the lighting of “The Further” creates an extremely unsettling feeling for the audience. The characters in the further can only see with a lantern, which is a bright blue color which perfectly contrasts with the pitch-black atmosphere. In addition, one of the most effective techniques employed in "Insidious" is the skillful use of jump scares. Wan utilizes abrupt sounds, quick camera movements, and unexpected appearances of evil entities to frighten viewers. These moments of shock and surprise heighten the intensity of the film, keeping audiences constantly on edge. The jump scares work perfectly with the atmospheric tension to create a rollercoaster of fear which lonely impacts the audience.

[ajanik12]

COM-321-A: Supernatural/ Paranormal Horror Films

The word “Supernatural” is defined as (of a manifestation or event) attributed to some type of force beyond scientific and human understanding. Supernatural and paranormal horror films bring the audience into a realm well beyond normal human boundaries. These films often revolve around some supernatural entity or a paranormal phenomena which defy the laws of nature. As viewers enter an inexplicable realm in the supernatural and paranormal horror genre, many different emotions of fear are evoked. These films delve into the unknown and explore concepts which travel far beyond basic human understanding.

Supernatural horror films focus more on supernatural beings and forces such as ghosts, demons, witches, and other figures which carry supernatural characteristics. Supernatural films explore themes like possessions, haunting, and curses. On the other hand, dive a little deeper into phenomena’s which lie outside of conventional human understanding. Some very common elements to paranormal films consist of encounters with extraterrestrial beings and time travel. In all, these genres of horror collectively challenge the audience with fear of the unknown, and makes viewers challenge their understanding of the world as we all know it.

One of the more prolific paranormal horror films from the past two decades is the film “Paranormal Activity.” “Paranormal Activity” (2007), directed by Oren Peli, is the story of a young couple who move into a new home in the suburbs where the begin to experience paranormal activities and sightings. The film added a new dimension and revitalized the paranormal horror genre by establishing a successful film franchise as sequels were added to the storyline. In the film, there are not many graphic visuals. Instead, it evokes more of a psychological horror, which is a key element of paranormal horror films. The film became a cultural phenomenon, and greatly impacted the future paranormal horror films. Following the release of this film, many new horror franchises came alive.

A prolific supernatural horror film from the 21st century is “The Conjuring” (2013). The film is based on the real life events experienced by Ed and Lorraine Warren, who were known for their work in the field of demonology. This film explores every single realm of the supernatural horror genre. In the film, the Warrens investigate a family who is tormented by an insidious being on their new farmhouse. One of the most prominent techniques used in the film is the use of jump scares. This film takes the use of jump scares to an extreme, and established itself as a supernatural horror classic. The film creates a dreadful and suspenseful atmosphere through the use of horror elements such as eerie whispers, creaking doors and floor boards, and haunting imagery.

The most frightening, and I would say my favorite, supernatural horror film of recent is “Insidious” (2010). The film follows the Lambert family, as their son enters a coma-like state shortly moving into their new home. Dalton becomes haunted by these supernatural and evil presences as he has gained the ability to enter another realm in his sleep referred to as “the further.” The family seeks help from a team of paranormal investigators to help combat the malevolent spirits trying to take over Dalton’s body. The film utilizes many elements of horror such as terrifying jump scares and takes horror imagery to the max through the use of ghostly and demonic figures. The film mostly uses atmospheric horror and psychological horror to create a sense of fear throughout the entirety of the film.