IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS PART 2: THE JOURNEY INTO ‘80S HORROR CONTINUES
In Search of Darkness Part 1, took us on an interesting journey into ‘80s horror. Now the journey continues with In Search of Darkness Part 2 delving deeper into the fabled practical-effects decade of 80s horror movies that amassed legions of fans and influenced the course of the film industry.
The horror genre has always held a mesmerizing grip on audiences, provoking feelings of fear, anticipation, and intrigue. Rooted in ghostly folklore and cautionary anecdotes, storytelling traditions around campfires were initially aimed at alerting us to potential dangers. From iconic monsters to contemporary psychological thrillers, horror films have undergone a transformative journey, leaving an enduring imprint on society’s consciousness.
Packed with more than hour hours of brand-new interviews, this clip-filled nostalgia trip features 15 new faces including legendary horror icons such as Robert Englund (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”), Nancy Allen (Dressed to Kill), Linnea Quigley (“The Return of the Living Dead”), and special-effects wizard Tom Savini (“Friday the 13th”) alongside 40-plus returning experts and icons of the In Search of Darkness cast.
Exploring the cast’s favorite frights as well as their own iconic and electric films, In Search of Darkness: Part 2 spotlights even more fan-favorite titles of ‘80s horror, year-by-year, while expanding its scope of critical takes and insider takes to cover more international releases and focus on horror-career retrospectives.
THE RISE OF SLASHERS AND BEYOND
Building upon the foundation laid in the first installment, “In Search of Darkness Part 2: The Journey into ‘80s Horror Continues” delves deeper into the evolution of horror cinema during the 1980s.
CULTURAL IMPACT
The documentary explores the cultural impact of iconic franchises such as “Psycho”, “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” which became synonymous with the horror genre.
Additionally, it examines the emergence of subgenres like body horror and psychological thrillers, offering fresh perspectives on classic films such as “The Thing” and “The Shining.” It delves a little bit more into the multi-genre aspect and discusses where it was done right and where it didn’t.
INFLUENCE OF FOREIGN CINEMA
The documentary discusses the influences of Universal Monster movies, the influence of Italian horror and its exploitation of horror movies, the craft of horror acting, the 80s video games, comedy in horror movies, the anti-hero, the horror avatar, and, children in horror.
It discusses the influence of Stephen King’s novels on the exploitation of children’s stories in horror by having them as protagonists, evil, or putting them in jeopardy. The documentary also explores the unmade horror passion projects such as the original draft for “The Fly II”.
INSIGHTS
Through interviews with directors, actors, and special effects artists, viewers gain valuable insights into the creative processes behind these seminal works and their enduring legacy in popular culture.
There are special chapters where actors and special effects artists such as Nacy Allen, Tom Savini, Linnea Quigley, and Robert Englund, expand a little more on their craft and their experience working on the films in the 1980s.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
From the masked killers of “Halloween” to the dream-haunting terror of “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “In Search of Darkness: Part 2” explores the cultural impact of iconic franchises and the creative forces behind them.
HUMAN BEHAVIOR
This documentary becomes especially captivating due to its emphasis on the behind-the-scenes narratives and the lasting impact of these cherished films, offering viewers a fresh understanding of the genre’s heyday. It prompts contemplation on the extent of one’s humanity in challenging circumstances, a topic underscored by numerous real-world instances, particularly in the wake of significant events like 9/11, the recent pandemic, and ongoing military conflicts.
It’s evident how challenging it can be for individuals who profess goodness to overlook the innocent victims caught up as collateral damage in their actions. The uncritical backing of a government with elements like the Azov Battalion, espousing neo-Nazi ideals, is truly astounding. The term “Nazi” seems to have lost its significance in the West, invoked selectively to serve the interests of certain groups.
The complete lack of self-awareness of the consequences of supporting a group with an extreme ideology such as nazism and incorporating them into the government structure is incomprehensible. It seems like a repeat of the history of the origins of the Mujahideen that spawned the Taliban which consequently spawned ISIS that the destruction that they did. Knowingly the West is help spawning something worse.
THE CHALLENGE FOR MODERN HORROR
Horror films face greater challenges in the era of social media. With constant exposure to various disturbing content daily, it’s harder to shock audiences.
Platforms like Twitter/X and Dailymotion often have limited age restrictions, yet they showcase a wide range of distressing content, from violent crimes to sexual assaults and more. Unfortunately, many people are unprepared to encounter such atrocities, adding to the complexity of the horror genre.
REEL vs REAL
The appeal of 80’s movies lies in their escapism, viewers knew they were fantasy and not reflective of real life. However, today’s reality is different as mental illness rates have skyrocketed, yet many countries lack proper treatment and support systems.
For instance, childhood trauma treatment is often overlooked, and modern exposure to explicit sexual content at a young age only adds to the problem, normalizing inappropriate relationships with minors.
A FILMMAKERS’ GROWTH
What sets this documentary series apart is its forward-thinking approach, offering valuable insights into the future direction of horror cinema and the voices that will shape it for years to come.
A significant example is the discussion of Bad Taste, a Peter Jackson film in 1986 that showed his beginnings followed by Dead Alive (1992), which led to the amazing Lord of the Rings Trilogies. In the 80s growing creativity happened organically and it was supported. It was ok back then for first-time filmmakers to make a low-budgeted film, even if it was critically bashed and considered a bad movie, people still like it.
Unlike the 80s, today you are not allowed to enjoy popcorn entertainment without being chastised for liking them. The discourse centers on mainstream bad movies when everybody already has an idea why they are bad. Alternative entertainment barely gets talked about. And people should be allowed to like popcorn movies and not be forced to find the Academy Award thought-provoking story in every movie.
On the production side, the current system established to make movies doesn’t make sense. First-time filmmakers are getting large budgets without the buildup experience and are criticized at the same level as experienced filmmakers. It’s not a healthy way to cultivate talent and create great movies. Creators should be allowed to start small, make mistakes, and learn from them at their own pace and on their terms.
PHYSICAL MEDIA
The physical media of Part 2 boasts a simplified chapter menu compared to Part 1, along with English and Spanish subtitles. This accessibility enhances the viewing experience, ensuring that audiences can fully immerse themselves in the captivating narratives and iconic moments of ‘80s horror, regardless of their language preferences.
The documentary concludes with the credits, listing the names of all the backers who supported the crowdfunding campaign for “In Search of Darkness Part 2.” Additionally, video commentary from project supporters is shown alongside the credits.
FINAL THOUGHTS
“In Search of Darkness Part 2: The Journey into ‘80s Horror Continues” proved to be an enlightening experience, delving deeper into the captivating realm of 1980s horror.
It piqued my curiosity, prompting me to explore titles like “The Being” (1983), “It Came Without Warning” (1989), “The Howling” (1981), and “An American Werewolf in London” (1981). Despite this newfound interest, I still find myself less drawn to the slasher genre, which dominated much of 80s horror cinema.
The “In Search of Darkness” trilogy meticulously navigates the complex terrain of 80s horror, charting its evolution from its inception to contemporary interpretations. Through a combination of thorough interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and expert analysis, these documentaries provide a captivating perspective on the imaginative brilliance, pioneering storylines, and cultural impact of horror films.
Be on the lookout for the final chapter of the trilogy “In Search of Darkness Part 3″. Interested in more titles? Check them on FILMS &TV under the “EYES ON” series wherein I document my crowdfunding entertainment experience and share my notes on the products I received.
My notes are all set. Let me know what you think.
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