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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Alix Blackburn

5 reasons modern horror movies are failing — and how to save them

Dakota Fanning in The Watchers movie (2024).

In recent years, horror movies have been fraught with disappointments, leaving audiences yearning for the exciting thrills and psychological depth that once defined the genre. Modern horror movies, with their predictable jump scares and superficial narratives, have failed to captivate audiences in the way that their predecessors once did. Characters lack depth, plotlines feel recycled and the scares often feel manufactured, leaving us more bored than terrified.

However, five critical aspects that, if addressed, could breathe new life into the genre and restore its success. These aspects range from the need for originality in storytelling to the importance of well-developed characters who evoke genuine empathy. As someone who writes about movies for a living and absolutely loves everything horror, I still believe that this genre can make a solid comeback. 

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