1. In the first line, King says, "I think that we're all mentally ill." What does he mean by this, and how is it different from our traditional understanding of mental illness? Use text evidence to support your explanation.
King's statement that "we're all mentally ill" is meant to suggest that everyone has a certain degree of darkness or madness within them. He goes on to say that this is a natural part of the human psyche and that we all have a "psychic wound" that we try to heal through cathartic experiences like watching horror movies. This is different from our traditional understanding of mental illness, which often focuses on diagnosing and treating specific disorders or conditions. King is suggesting that the human mind is more complex and nuanced than a simple dichotomy of "healthy" or "sick," and that horror movies can help us explore and confront these darker aspects of ourselves.
2. How does King justify horror movies? Why does he believe they are essential? Use text evidence to support your response.
King justifies horror movies by arguing that they serve a cathartic function, allowing us to confront and deal with our fears and anxieties in a safe and controlled environment. He believes that horror movies can help us "re-establish our feelings of essential normality" by providing us with an outlet for the darker parts of our psyche. King also suggests that horror movies are essential because they are a reflection of the cultural and societal fears of the time, and serve as a way for us to collectively process and understand these fears. He writes, "The horror film has become...one of the most popular, most pervasive, and most visible of modern American art forms," suggesting that horror movies play an important role in our cultural landscape.
3. Select a horror movie of your own choosing. Research reviews of the film- what do viewers and critics have to say about the film? Draw a connection between audience reaction to the film of your choice and a point that King makes in his essay. Use text evidence from the film review and/or King for support and justification.
One example of a horror movie that has generated a lot of discussion and controversy is "Hereditary" (2018). Critics and audiences have praised the film for its unsettling atmosphere, disturbing imagery, and strong performances, but some have also criticized it for being too slow-paced or confusing. This reaction can be connected to King's point about horror movies serving as a way for us to confront our fears and anxieties. "Hereditary" deals with themes of grief, trauma, and family dysfunction, which are all deeply unsettling topics. By immersing viewers in this dark and unsettling world, the film allows us to confront and process these difficult emotions in a safe and controlled environment. However, this immersive experience can also be overwhelming or confusing for some viewers, which may explain the mixed reaction to the film. Overall, the reaction to "Hereditary" highlights the complex and nuanced ways in which horror movies can affect us emotionally and psychologically, as King suggests in his essay.