O desconforto na dualidade do sexo e do medo

Imagine yourself plunged into the darkness of a movie theater, the suspense of it all
frightening you, and suddenly the screen is filled with terrifying images. But at the heart
of this thrill lies another often overlooked dimension: sexuality. Welcome to the
complex world of contemporary horror films, where sex and fear intertwine to confront
us with our deepest fears.

A few days ago, I found myself in a more or less similar situation, watching
Vanessa Filho's 2023 French drama "Le Consentement", in which pedophilic sexuality
is central to the plot. Despite the fact that it's not a horror film, the young protagonist's
vulnerability to this 50-year-old writer managed to bring the unease of the situation to
life for viewers.

So let's see how sex is used in horror films to intensify our unease and anxiety.
But before we do, let me give you a bit of background on the history of sexuality in
horror cinema.

In the early days of horror cinema, the depiction of sexuality was often implicit,
due to the Hays Code, the set of moral rules applied to the American film industry
between the 1930s and 1960s, aimed at censoring or regulating content deemed immoral
or offensive. The first horror films of the early 20th century therefore focused more on
mystery and the supernatural. However, even in these early films, elements of desire
and seduction were sometimes underlying.

Over time, as cultural and cinematic norms evolved, the representation of

sexuality in horror films underwent a significant transformation. Directors, thanks in
part to social movements, began to explore bolder themes that pushed the boundaries of
decency and morality. For example, in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 "Psycho", there's that
iconic shower scene, where the main character is attacked while naked, symbolizing the
vulnerability associated with that nudity.

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 O desconforto na dualidade do sexo e do medo

The gradual lifting of censorship allowed filmmakers to experiment more with

sexually suggestive images and more graphic horror scenes. The 1980s saw the rise of
the slasher, a sub-genre that integrated sexuality more explicitly into its stories, where it
was associated with violence and danger, creating an atmosphere of tension and anxiety.
John Carpenter's 1978 "Halloween" features sexually active teenagers who become the
targets of serial killer Michael Myers. The film explores themes of sexual morality and
the punishment associated with this act, seen as the trigger for their deaths.

In many horror films, sexuality is often associated with lost innocence and
taboo. Take 2014's "It Follows", for example, where sex is a vehicle for transmitting a
deadly curse. This symbolic representation, which also refers to the social taboo of
sexually transmitted diseases, or for others the trauma associated with sexual assault,
reinforces the idea that the sexual act can carry disturbing consequences, awakening our
deepest fears.

Sex in horror films also exposes human vulnerability in the face of danger.
Scenes of sexuality often precede or accompany the most terrifying moments, creating a
striking contrast between intimacy and terror. In 1996's "Scream", the opening scene in
which a young woman is killed after a sexual encounter highlights this subtle
connection between pleasure and fear.

Now, let's delve into the psychological mechanisms that make sex so effective in
making us uncomfortable in the context of horror films.

Sexuality, by its intimate and often private nature, evokes fear of the unknown
and of social judgment. For example, in 1976's "Carrie", adapted from a novel by
Stephen King, the teenage girl discovers her sexuality and, in particular, her first
menstruations in a repressive, religious environment set up by her mother. Her
ignorance and the cruelty of her peers amplify her fear of the unknown and of social
judgment, culminating in tragic events at the prom.

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 O desconforto na dualidade do sexo e do medo

Finally, contemporary horror films often exploit sexual stereotypes and social
norms to elicit emotional responses from audiences. Whether it's "the virgin", "the
whore", "the jock", "the comedian" or "the nerd", in 2012's "The Cabin in the Woods",
these archetypes, which often have a pre-established narrative, are deconstructed since,
for example, the "virgin" isn't the one who survives to the end. By challenging these
expectations and questioning established archetypes, this film offers a reflection on how
horror films use sexuality to manipulate the emotions of the audience, and how these
representations influence our perception of society and morality.

In conclusion, contemporary horror films reveal a complex duality between

sexuality and vulnerability. Sex, used as a narrative tool, exposes our deepest fears and
confronts our own fragility in the face of danger.

As we journey through modern horror, let's remember that every shudder

conceals a reflection on our humanity and our fears. Perhaps in this unsettling mix of
desire and terror, we'll find some truths about ourselves and the world around us.

Thank you.

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