While the character profile of the Slender Man may sound disturbing after the recent tragic crime in Wisconsin, this character profile is similar to many other characters, fairy tales, and myths that have become common and culturally acceptable. The conjuring of a demonic or evil character through certain behaviors has been an attractive pattern throughout centuries. The Bloody Mary is urban folklore that implies that a person can stand in front of a mirror by candle light and say Mary’s name three times. According to the legend, once the name is said out loud, there is a chance that one will see a bloody women in the reflection, or that the one conjuring may end up dead. In addition to urban myths, films have also shown an evil character that is conjured with the possibility of murder. In 1992, the film Candyman, based on a story by Clive Barker, played on the idea of an urban legend in which one said the characters name in a mirror five in hopes that the Candyman would appear. When this character appeared, he would murder the person that summoned him with his hook hand. Children have repeated these patterns in a form of thrill seeking play for many years. The play brings a rush of possible danger, only to learn that there was no real danger at all. The adrenaline gained by this behavior feels good to the children that engage in the games of playing out the urban myth or folklore. Healthy children will know that this acting is a form of play and are able to differentiate between this and a real threat or aggression.
Fairy tales and other myths even perpetuate the idea of torture to children, usually attached with a lesson that would encourage behavioral modification. Grimms’ Fairy Tales, published in 1812, lists story after story of fables of murder, manipulation, and ultimately a lesson to instill fear in children. Years and years have gone by with generations of children listening to fairy tales, telling folklore, and watching horror films. The internet is a new medium for the telling of the same construct and outline of fables, myths, and folklore. Prior to the internet, media blamed the television, and even the radio. The internet, or the particular game, in this case, “Slender Man”, is just the vessel that an age old idea is depicted through.
Salon.com published an article in June 11, 2014 titled “From Stephen King to Slenderman: Why the horror genre is particularly horrible for women”. In this article, the author emphasizes that the horror genre is bad for all women. The basis for this statement falls on her opinion that it, as an entire genre, is misogynist, and that the body count for female characters outnumbers the male characters. This is a very dangerous logic to publicly conclude to. This logic is based on opinion and a statistic that has no stated reference. Making a blanket statement about the entire genre and its relationship to women is irresponsible. Within the horror genre, there exists everything from sexually exploitative slasher flicks to films with a brave femme fatale character that depicts feminine strength and will. In fact, the femme fatale formula is one of the more common storylines used in horror film. From the classic I Spit on Your Grave which shows a woman taking revenge on her rapists, to Carrie White mismanaging her inner anger and telekinesis when bullied in Carrie, horror can show women displaying anger, taking revenge, and using powerful behaviors. Culturally, women are told to be more submissive, are pushed into victim roles, and have felt as though they are the secondary gender. Through this particular genre of horror, women do not make apologies for their and behavior and very often, their vengeance.
Horror, as a genre, has not just been criticized on its impact on women and children, but all people. The reality is that many individuals like the thrill of watching the horror film. It lets us play out fantasy, confront the deepest and darkest part of ourselves, and look death, one of the most powerful aspects of being a living thing, in the face. Horror survives as a genre because it sells. It sells because people want to see it. As a genre, action movies are higher grossing, more acceptable, and show more violence and death then horror films. Action movies that conventionally center their plots on war, the military, and the mafia are regarded as classic American film and usually sit on the shelves of most households. Right now, at this very moment, it is likely that close to half of the films playing in your local theater are action related and include violence and aggression. This does not cause people to be aggressive. A healthy person knows the difference between reality and fantasy.
We must be careful and responsible about the statements that we make that attack art, a genre, or a medium. Ultimately, we are responsible for ourselves and our children. Delusions, hallucinations, and homicidal ideation are not directly caused by viewing a scary movie. Making this statement of causation will retract us back to the days of Tipper Gore attacking bands like Twisted Sister, or the blame placed on horror films and heavy metal after the Columbine tragedy.
Amie Harwick, M.A., is a feminist, a therapist, and a horror fan. Amie practices as a Marriage and Family Therapist in West Hollywood, CA. Her first nationally published book, “The New Sex Bible for Women,” will be released this November, 2014, through Quiver Books.
