I Love Watching Horror Movies with Bad Acting

 

Credit to https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-love-witch/2000227988/

One thing that I feel is always overlooked with horror movies, is the use of 'bad acting' in horror movies. I love it when horror films purposely have this weird acting method in their stories. Directors have claimed that they use bad acting as a way to keep the audience captivated.

I think it has worked quite well, but of course, you need the perfect director to make this work. It isn't easy to pull this kind of writing skill off, and I think two horror movies were able to execute this method perfectly.

One of these movies is The Love Witch, that was released in 2016. The director claimed that she was trying to capture the same acting magic that the old school movies used to do back in the 70s. What's crazy, is that this movie literally looks like it came straight from the 70s.

Credit to https://theplaylist.net/love-witch-sumptuous-eye-popping-top-treat-review-20161108/

The actors also look like they belong in the movie, and I was in shock when I first learned that the characters portrayed in the film are actually modern actors. How the director was able to pull off the 70s picture for her film is incredible talent. So many fans have also mentioned that they love the old school look to the film too!

And of course, what makes the film stand out, is the 'bad acting.'

Everyone portrays their lines like they are reading straight from the script, and it makes the film even more interesting. I always find myself enraptured by the characters when they speak, and I love how the camera is purposely in the faces of some of the actors, pulling the audience more into this strange 70s world.

It's a genius way of directing, and The Love Witch has remained one of my favorite horror films ever made.

Another horror movie that deserves the 'bad acting' credit is Kill a Sacred Deer.

Credit to Review: ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’ Depicts Familiar Torment - The New York Times

This is one of the strangest horror movies I have ever seen in my life. I've only seen it once, due to the strange plot elements, and the odd acting choice that the director chose for this story. Everyone in the movie acts like they are 'broken,' like they are struggling to deliver their lines. We follow the story of a family who is suddenly targeted by this creepy kid, who is determined to ruin the life of a doctor. 

This kid dates his daughter, making her become obsessed with him, both of the doctor's children can no longer walk again, and his wife is losing her mind with her husband. Even though the couple kidnaps the kid and beats him up, this odd curse will stop once the doctor chooses a family member to kill. 

I feel that the bad acting really makes the atmosphere appear claustrophobic, and I struggled to watch several scenes of the film, especially that scene where the kid is talking about his mother in a creepy way, as he eats a plate of spaghetti. 

The film also takes place in modern times, which deeply confused me the first time I watched the film, due to the strange story and situation going on with the family. 

From my own research, I think this story is similar to that of Greek Mythology. A curse is placed over the family, and in order for the madness to end, the doctor must accidentally kill a random family member, to make the curse fade away. The one family member that didn't deserve to die, is chosen, and the film ends with the kid being victorious, as the family leaves the restaurant, watching him. 

The bad acting for both films works so well, and I wish directors would continue this weird horror trend!