The horror genre, a realm of transgression and the exploration of the taboo, has long relied on the classic tropes of the evil child and the dark mother. However, a recent trend in mainstream horror films, including 'Bring Her Back', 'Weapons', and 'Lee Cronin's The Mummy', is adding a disturbing and intriguing twist to these archetypes. Instead of the traditional mother figure, these films introduce surrogate parents, and the evil children are not inherently malicious but pawns of a larger, malevolent force.
This new trend delves into the concept of women preying on other children, a departure from the typical portrayal of evil moms as twisted caregivers. It draws inspiration from fairy-tale and folklore tropes, particularly the witch archetype, as seen in 'Hansel & Gretel' and 'The Witches'. The characters in these films, like Laura in 'Bring Her Back' and Gladys in 'Weapons', subvert expectations by presenting themselves as older women, challenging the notion of age and responsibility.
In 'Lee Cronin's The Mummy', the matriarch, The Magician, stands out for her fairy-tale-like, witch-inspired portrayal. She is not resentful of her age but embraces it, capturing young Katie with a poisoned apple. This trend of black magic practitioners with sympathetic motives adds depth to the villains, making them more grounded in reality.
The children in these films are not changed by evil but replaced by it. They are possessed by demonic entities or become hollow shells under the influence of dark magic. This shift in narrative invites commentary on the broader impact of evil, not just within the immediate family but also on society as a whole.
This trend may reflect millennial panic about the state of the world, offering a subtle approach to addressing dangerous environments and the challenges of raising children. It also raises questions about the lines horror films dare to cross to shock audiences. As this trend continues, it will be fascinating to see how it evolves and the impact it has on the genre.
