So, Who’s the True Master of Horror: John Carpenter or David Cronenberg?
Both filmmakers started out in the New Hollywood era, when Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, and Martin Scorsese entered the film industry.
Despite fierce competition, they not only found their own unique ways of storytelling, but also created iconic movies in their favorite genre. But who is the director with the most lasting influence?
Halloween and The Thing are considered some of the top films in the horror genre. Carpenter's work is known for its tense atmosphere, clever use of music, and unexpected plot twists.
The director has become a master at creating true nightmares that force audiences to keep their eyes glued to the screen.
But while John Carpenter certainly has his place in horror history, David Cronenberg stands out for his unique approach to horror stories. His films explore themes of corporeality, mutation, and psychological disturbance.
They evoke a sense of disgust while intriguing with their depth and complexity.
In Videodrome, the director questions how extreme violence and sex affect viewers as they watch television. In his movie, Cronenberg tried to show that this excessive amount of information has a powerful effect on the human mind and can drive a person to madness.
In The Fly, instead of telling the story of a disfigured body, Cronenberg describes a real tragedy. The protagonist decides to improve his life, but loses this battle to a simple insect uninterested in worldly matters.
The Brood was memorable for its bloody action, naturalistic violence, and its reflection on what happens when artificial life replaces natural life. This is a very relevant thought for today's world, which is increasingly immersed in virtuality.
Of course, Carpenter is not inferior to Cronenberg in his ability to create horror on the screen. His films are still cited by young filmmakers in their work and are considered standards of the genre. But it is Cronenberg who still manages to create meaningful movies by combining horrific and sometimes gruesome visuals with philosophical ideas.
This draws the viewer further into the director's worlds, which may be disgusting, but are full of thoughtful content.