Summary
A few horror films are widely beloved beyond their initial release and have followed the same path as subjects of documentary films. Films likeChild’s PlayandScreamhave become the focus of manydocumentaries that provide old and new fans alike with unknown behind-the-scenes facts and a reflection on the film’s lasting legacy. These documentaries include commentary from the cast and crew of the respective films, all who share an unequivocal love for their work.
This love is more often than not expressed by a passionate, enduring fan base as well and easily established a connection between audiences and the documentaries. Understanding these type of documentaries can easily become formulaic, filmmakers find a way to keep audiences engaged with a narrative approach that differs from the countless movie documentaries occupying the space. The horror films that have become classics over the years are praised most for their impact on the genre as a whole and the documentaries about them make it clear as to why that is.
10 Documentaries Scarier Than Any Horror Film
Some of the most disturbing documentaries ever made will stick in the minds of viewers long after even the darkest horror movies have been forgotten.
Unknown Dimension: The Story of Paranormal Activity
Cast
Unknown Dimension: The Story of Paranormal Activity is a 2021 documentary that explores the creation and cultural impact of the Paranormal Activity film series. Featuring interviews with key figures involved in the franchise, the film delves into the innovative techniques and production challenges that contributed to its success. The documentary offers an insightful look into how the series redefined the horror genre and influenced modern filmmaking.
One of the most famous examples of found-footage horror films isParanormal Activity, whosetimeline follows a demonic spirit named Tobi. A franchise comprising six more films was made following the first in 2009. The latest installment,Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, was released alongside a deep-dive documentary about the franchise,Unknown Dimension: The Story of Paranormal Activity.
Refreshing stories are shared about the fun time on set and the creative freedom found in creating memorable scares.
The documentary is a must-watch forParanormal Activityfans, asvarious individuals who had a hand in making the films reminisce about the accomplishments and audience responsewithin the franchise’s early installments. Refreshing stories are shared about the fun time on set and the creative freedom found in creating memorable scares. The positivity in critical responses to the films dwindled with each new installment. However, the mark of the first film within the horror genre is undeniable and the documentary highlights this.
Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street
Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street is a documentary examining actor Mark Patton’s experience starring in A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge and its impact on his life and career. Directed by Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen, the film delves into themes of LGBTQ representation in horror and the lasting effects of the film’s reception on Patton during the 1980s AIDS crisis.
Starring as the lead in an iconic horror film is a big deal for most up-and-coming actors, but the result isn’t always positive.Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Streetexamines the cultural impact of the franchise’s second installment,A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, through the lens of its leading actor, Mark Patton.The sequel film has themes of homoeroticism, which in recent years has been confirmed as an intentional choice byFreddy’s Revengewriter, David Chaskin. These themes were included as a means of commentary on various responses towards homosexuality.
An unintended outcome of this choice was Patton’s experience as an actor in Hollywood. The documentary features commentary from numerous individuals in the horror world, including Patton’s former co-stars, who reflect on how they viewed the film at the time. Mixed with Patton’s complicated views of his experience,the documentary is sure to highlight howFreddy’s Revengeand other horror films are cult classics within LGBTQ+ communities.
Most documentaries about movies follow a similar format in which the cast and crew members of a particular movie sit down and reflect on the making of the film and its cultural impact.However,Room 237differs from this and instead utilizes narration from passionate fans of Stanley Kubrick and his work onThe Shining. In the narration, these individuals toss out their preferred theories aboutThe Shining.
The documentary doesn’t provide profound analytical insight, which was greatly disliked by Stephen King (viaRolling Stone).However, it’s a great viewing experience for fans who are just as intrigued by the horror film.The Shining’s ambiguity has spawned several theoriesabout the film’s themes and, particularly, the documentary’s titular room.Room 237captures this fanfare and has been described by some critics as a tribute to the love of movies.
WhereScream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Streettells a specific narrative,Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacytakes a look at theNightmare on Elm Streetfranchise as a whole. The lengthy runtime of the documentary can be jarring, but with as many behind-the-scenes stories and footage shared,it never feels like a chore to look back at the impact of the horror franchise.
This is helped by the clear love and passion of those featured in the documentary, which makesthe detailed discussions feel like a conversation among fans. Interview subjects that start these discussions include various directors and actors from the franchise, such as Wes Craven, Ronny Yu, Heather Langenkamp, and Robert Englund. The documentary is also sure to include the cultural impact of theNightmare on Elm Streetfilms, making the reason for a lasting fan base more apparent.
Still Screaming: The Ultimate Scary Movie Retrospective
Still Screaming: The Ultimate Scary Movie Retrospective is a 2011 documentary that chronicles the making and impact of the Scream film series. Directed by Ryan Turek, the film features interviews with key cast and crew members, exploring the franchise’s cultural influence and its role in revitalizing the horror genre.
Released the same year asScream 4,Still Screaming: The Ultimate Scary Movie Retrospective, as the name suggests, takes a look at the belovedScreamfilms directed by Wes Craven.TheScreamfilmsreinvented parts of the horror genre and are known for the creation of one of horror’s most iconic killers, Ghostface. Additionally, what differentiated them from previous horror films at the time wasthe use of self-aware humor that was playful enough without taking away from the violence and thrills in the films.
Still Screamingintroduces information that satisfies eagerScreamfans and casual horror audiences alike.From the significance of Drew Barrymore’s role to the narrowing down on Ghostface’s identifying mask,Still Screamingcovers a sizable amount of information in a reasonable runtime. Considering the documentary was released in 2011, it doesn’t cover the recentScreammovies, but it’s a great reflection on the work of Craven in the franchise’s early years.
The Exorcistwas a groundbreaking horror film that shook up the genre and whose impact is seen in horror films that followed. As a result, a few different documentaries about said impact have been released, butnone are as personal and informational asLeap Of Faith: William Friedkin On The Exorcist. The documentary doesn’t include the film’s cast or crew like other “making of” documentaries would.
For any horror film fan,Leap Of Faithhas intriguing bits of behind-the-scenes information about the making of the film.
Instead, Alexandre O. Philippe’sLeap Of Faithonly features Friedkin as he acknowledges the films and filmmakers that inspired him to become a director of films such asThe Boys in the Band,The French Connection, andThe Exorcist. For any horror film fan,Leap Of Faithhas intriguing bits of behind-the-scenes information about the making of the film. However,Leap Of Faithis a fascinating depiction of Friedkin’s storyand worth viewing to learn more about the craft of filmmaking, learning it from one of the best to do it.
How Scary Is The Original Exorcist Movie Today?
The best horror movies don’t rely on cheap jump scares or gimmicky visuals to grip an audience, and it’s why The Exorcist is still so scary today.
Birth of the Living Dead
Birth of the Living Dead is a documentary film directed by Rob Kuhns, released in 2013. The film explores the creation and cultural impact of George A. Romero’s seminal 1968 zombie film Night of the Living Dead. Through interviews with Romero and others involved, the documentary provides an in-depth look at the film’s production and lasting influence on the horror genre and pop culture.
Revolutionizing the horror genre with his use of zombies, George A. Romero’sNight of the Living Deadbecame a classic horror film.Romero’s influence on horroris just one of the many subjects included inBirth of the Living Dead. Romero gives in-depth explanations about how the film was made, andother interviewees highlight the changes made in horror cinema followingNight of the Living Dead.
These changes include the way zombies were portrayed as antagonists in the media and the amount of gore included on-screen. In addition, part of what makesNight of the Living Deadsuch a compelling horror film beyond its initial premise is its subtle racial commentary.Birth of the Living Deadis also sure to bring this up, emphasizing the importance of casting a Black actor for the lead role at the timeand how the circumstances the character finds himself in are eerily similar to real-life events.
You’re So Cool, Brewster! the Story of Fright Night
You’re So Cool, Brewster! the Story of Fright Night is a 2016 documentary that delves into the creation and legacy of the 1985 horror film Fright Night. Directed by Chris Griffiths, the film features interviews with the original cast and crew, offering an in-depth look at the production challenges and successes that made Fright Night a cult classic in the horror genre.
Following the adventures of a teenager and a TV host as they attempt to catch a vampire,Fright Nighthas become a horror staple. With a hefty runtime,You’re So Cool Brewster! The Story of Fright Nightdoesn’t miss a single detail,as the cast and crew ofFright Nightrecount their experience making the film and its sequel,Fright Night Part 2.
The sequel isn’t as highly praised as its predecessor, but both films carried on the combination of humor and thrills that’s often appreciated in horror films. The documentary also acts as a tribute to the late Roddy McDowall who immersed himself as the TV personality, Peter Vincent. OfTom Holland’s horror films,Fright Nightremains one of his best.
One ofthe best slasher films of the ’80s,Child’s Playspawned one of the most memorable horror franchises that consists of several films, TV shows, and comics. TheChuckyfranchise is the focus of a more recent documentary,Living with Chucky,directed by Kyra Elise Gardner. The filmmaker has a personal connection to the films asher father, Tony Gardner, is a famous makeup artist and puppeteer for the horror films.
Gardner, with her connection to the killer doll in mind, structures these stories with a familial theme.
Living with Chuckyprovides some of the standard information found in documentaries about famous movies, but a majority of the runtime is dedicated to a unique perspective that differentiates Gardner’s documentary from others. Gardner, with her connection to the killer doll in mind, structures these stories with a familial theme. The passion for theChuckyfranchise, as expressed by the interviewees, goesbeyond gratitude for the critical success and rather showcases the sense of community created as a result of the films.
Pennywise: The Story of IT
Itis largely known today as two horror films with the antagonistic clown played by Bill Skarsgård. However,a miniseries adapted from the Stephen King novel was created in 1990.Pennywise: The Story of Ithas sit-down interviews with director Tommy Lee Wallace and Pennywise actor, Tim Curry, among other key individuals who had a part in the series.
Each person brings a shared fondness when looking back on their experience makingIt, which allows audiences with strong feelings about the series to feel seen. The second part of the miniseries isn’t as favored as the first, and the documentary doesn’t shy away from this. Aware of the response towards the adult actors and some less than great special effects, interviewees inPennywise: The Story of Itshed light on behind-the-scenes facts that make it clearthe project was made with care and the downfalls of part two aren’t because of negligence.
