Eyes are one of the most important features of our face. They help us to communicate and express feelings that sometimes say so much more than any action or words can. It’s fascinating how our eyes have the ability to say so much without actually uttering a single word. That’s why eyes are used so often in horror movies. Whether it’s a look of fear, surprise, or uneasiness, the slightest hint of emotion can project a similar feeling in the viewer, making eyes such an effective tool to use in horror movies.
Take for example, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining.” There are so many examples of the use of eyes in this film. Jack Torrance’s murderous eyes as he roams the Overlook Hotel to Wendy Torrance’s wide eyes of fear as he chases her down, their eyes tell us so much about their psyche and state of mind without explicitly stating it. Another great and classic example is Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.” Right after the famous shower scene, we see a close up of the dead eye of Mariane Crane. This simple shot shows the true horror as she realizes her inescapable fate even though it’s too late. There’s also Norman Bates’ infamous psychotic stare that shows the sheer evilness and lack of remorse in his eyes. All these examples illustrate a different idea, but they all leave us feeling a level of discomfort and anxiety that could not have been achieved if not for two simple things: eyes.
So let us know, which horror movie eyes do you think is the most effective in giving you the creeps and check out the video by Screened to learn why eyes are just so scary.
