10 horror films with controversial and scary backstories

Horror films permeate the audience’s imagination, exploring the viewer’s fears, traumas, nightmares, and revulsions to create frightening images and environments. On some occasions, this terrifying atmosphere transcends the screen and infiltrates behind the scenes of productions of this genre.

Mysterious incidents, inexplicable apparitions, strange behaviors and surreal events are just some of the bizarre events that have marked horror films, tormenting audiences and casts. Many of these situations contribute to the construction of the macabre aura in several films.

Next, we present 10 behind-the-scenes stories that promise to send shivers down your spine. Watch:

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Classic film by director Roman Polanski, one of the most influential in the horror genre to date. The film tells the story of a young pregnant woman who moves with her husband to a new apartment and from there she witnesses bizarre events during her pregnancy and she fears that evil forces surround her.

During the production of the film, producer William Castle received a threatening anonymous letter predicting a slow and painful decline in his health. Shortly thereafter, Castle collapsed and underwent surgery that plagued him for months. He doesn’t end there. Krzysztof Komeda, composer of the soundtrack, died in the same hospital as Castle, due to a brain hematoma after a fall during a party. A few months later, the director’s wife, actress Sharon Tate, pregnant like the character Rosemary, was brutally murdered by followers of a cult led by Charles Manson.

The Conjuring (2013)

The hit contemporary horror franchise, The Conjuring, follows the pair of paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, who are called in to help solve supernatural phenomena.

Strange events occurred during filming: director James Wan reported that his dog barked non-stop for several nights. Star Vera Farmiga found claw marks on her computer screen and also on her legs, while young actress Joey King discovered purple marks on her body with no explanation.

Annabella (2014)

The Cursed Doll Movie also featured mysterious behind-the-scenes situations. The film’s producer, Peter Safran, told a website about a strange event: a large glass lamp fell on the head of an actor who played the role of a janitor. This happened immediately after the actor who plays the film’s villain passed by that place, dressed and made up like his character. In the film, the demon kills the janitor’s character in exactly the same corridor where the accident occurred. A bizarre coincidence.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Films about exorcisms often witness bizarre events behind the scenes, as is the case with this feature film. Actress Jennifer Carpenter reported that she sometimes woke up in the middle of the night to the radio turning on by itself to the song “Alive” by Pearl Jam. Other cast members, such as actress Laura Linney, also said their radios and/or televisions turned on for no apparent reason.

The Hotel of Death (2011)

A horror film released in 2011 that tells the story of a pair of hotel employees who believe the place is haunted by evil entities.

Director Ti West said he and his team experienced strange occurrences, such as doors closing on their own with no draft, phones ringing randomly with no one on the line, and televisions constantly turning on and off. The actress Sara Paxton also reported waking up several times during the night with the impression that there was someone in her room.

Poltergeist (1982, 1986, and 1988 film series)

Written and produced by Steven Spielberg, the first and most famous film in the series was directed by horror master Tobe Hooper. The plot of Poltergeist follows a family haunted by strange events, including spirits who communicate with them through television.

The series is considered cursed due to strange events involving the members of the team. At just 12 years old, actress Heather O’Rourke died months after the release of the third film, due to a fatal intestinal infection. Another young actress, Dominique Dunne, who participated in the first film, was killed by an abusive boyfriend, this being her only film work.

Other cast members also faced tragedies, such as Julian Beck, from the second film, who died shortly after filming due to cancer-related complications, and Will Sampson, who died prematurely due to health problems. The choice of real skeletons as props in the film created a sinister atmosphere, raising questions about this decision.

The Prophecy (1976)

Classic horror film that tells the story of a couple who, after losing their son, adopt a newborn of unknown origin. Mysterious events begin to haunt the family, who unknowingly may be taking care of the Antichrist himself.

The film’s production was marked by a series of strange events behind the scenes. Shortly before filming, the star’s son Gregory Peck committed suicide, casting a dark shadow over the team. During a plane trip, Gregory Peck himself, screenwriter David Seltzer and executive producer Mace Neufeld experienced terrifying moments when the plane was struck by lightning, almost losing contact.

Director Richard Donner’s hotel was the target of an IRA attack the day after he recorded a safari scene. While filming at the cemetery, a stuntman was attacked by dogs. At the end of filming, special effects director John Richardson and his assistant, Liz Moore, had a terrible car accident, resulting in Moore’s decapitation. This incident is even more shocking when you consider that the film includes a decapitation scene.

The Amityville Horror (2005)

Based on true events, the film tells the tragedy involving Ronald DeFeo Jr., a young man who, on November 13, 1973, around 3:15 am, kills his family in Amityville.

Ryan Reynolds, the protagonist of the film, shared the experience of several members of the film crew who inexplicably woke up at 3:15 am, the exact moment when the terrible atrocities occurred in the house. Reynolds ensures that the story is authentic and not just a marketing ploy for the film.

Possession (2012)

A horror film with Jeffrey Dean Morgan. In the plot, after opening a mysterious box given to her by her father, a young girl begins to behave strangely until she discovers that she is possessed by an evil spirit.

Some strange things happened, like lights exploding for no apparent reason and freezing breezes blowing through closed sets for no apparent reason. However, the scariest incident occurred when the film’s prop warehouse caught fire and was reduced to ashes. An investigation into the fire concluded that it was neither arson nor an electrical fault, classifying the event as undetermined. It is worth noting that the demon box used in the film was destroyed in the fire.

The Exorcist (1973)

William Friedkin’s classic film. The plot follows a young woman possessed by a demon and her family’s struggle to exorcise her.

This is one of the most famous films with macabre behind the scenes. One of them is the fire at the filming location. Initially the blame was placed on a pigeon. However, the event was peculiar: there were two sets on location, the main house of the film, which was destroyed by the fire, and the room of Regan, the possessed girl, which remained intact.

Other developments include Jack MacGowran, who played Burke Dennings in the film, dying unexpectedly just days after completing his role. A special effects worker and a security guard also died during the film’s production.

At one point, director Friedkin brought a priest onto the set to perform a real-life exorcism. However, the religious ceremony seemed to have little effect in stopping the curse.

The next 10 Horror Movies With Controversial & Scary Backstories appeared first on Olhar Digital.

Source: Olhar Digital

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.