Speaking of representation in horror, I’d also like to go into what it’s like to sympathize, relate, and/or identify with fictional characters in horror. Something that’s definitely common.
I’m admittedly guilty of thinking of people I know when I see characters that resemble them in one way or another. However, to clarify, that doesn’t mean that I will suddenly assume that the entirety of who they are is an exact match for such character or fill in the holes of what I do not know about them with what the character presents. Merely, it’s a matter of “They reminded me of you.” And rarely ever a matter of “They’re EXACTLY like you.” Not to be cliché, but we’re all too unique and complex to have several exact replicas going around and about. You can find a few things about a fictional character that cause you to think of somebody else that you know, whether with fondness or with resentment, or even with both, but the real person is sure to have several more details and dimensions to them than someone made up (or written based on limited, possibly distorted, knowledge of another real person). So, I urge you all to make no mistake in this - especially as I will continue to bring up countless characters that you might see yourself or others in.
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| The Craft: Legacy (2020) |
I’ve come across numerous arguments against or in favor of doing this, particularly when it comes to the horror genre and/or characters deemed as problematic or unredeemable. And while I cannot entirely agree with all of them, I must try and see what truth they speak. Hence, I cannot blindly dismiss nor accept any of them. Given that, my take overall is that sympathizing, relating, and/or identifying with fictional characters in horror is only as bad as how far you take it. I’m not one to preach moderation in everything, but moderation does have an important role in this regard.
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| Fantasy Island (2020) |
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met a pure saint. In fact, anyone claiming or acting as though they are is more likely than not lying to themselves and/or to others. So if you can see yourself, or a bit of yourself, in fictional characters that are horrible or that do horrible things, you might simply be more honest with yourself than the aforementioned type of person. The issue now lies with what you will be doing about it.
I’d warn against over-identifying with anything, fictional characters in horror included. Because when you identify too much with something, you create for yourself a cage that you hold on to. The door may be open and you can walk out of it at any moment, but you don’t. You stay there and you cling to it furiously when people try to pull you out of it or barely suggest you leave it. You stop growing and evolving organically as you would otherwise. Therefore, instead, I’d advise toward something closer to an acknowledgment. Being able to acknowledge that X or Y character is like you at a certain point in your life and feel free to move on from that. There’s no use in denying your similarities, and attempting to do that might backfire terribly. As for relating and sympathizing, well, you can guess by now what I think. In short, neither of these things (sympathizing, relating, and identifying) should be repressed, but it’s on you to not let them rule you past what’s reasonable.
Villains, Victims, and Both
Essentially, in horror, we can categorize fictional characters as villains, victims, or a mix of both.
• The Villains
You know, the ones doing the killing, torturing, tormenting, kidnapping, and such. Whatever it is that they have to gain from it. May be out of some form of hate, for the sake of twisted pleasure, or something else that’s in it for them and it’s “nothing personal”. Some may even believe that they’re the good guys and that all their actions are justified. Could also simply be the way they operate.
• The Victims
The ones practically running around, trying to save themselves and/or others. Wouldn’t want to be in their position; vulnerable, scared, and at the mercy of the villain(s) - what they care about used against them or destroyed in front of their very eyes. It’s only when they smarten and toughen up, or when they’re incredibly lucky, that they stand a chance.
• The Mix of Both
Typical villain with a tragic backstory (“still a murderer”). Or a victim pushed to the point of breaking and going berserk. Or someone whose tables are turned right there and then. In the case of a villain becoming a victim, they face vicious retribution (you messed with the wrong people). While in the case of a victim becoming a villain, being bit by a zombie and turning into one could be one obvious example. You get the gist of it.
Clearly, there are endless variations. And you may resonate with fictional characters anywhere from 0% to 100%. But ultimately, proceed at your own risk! And please, always exercise discernment.
Are there any fictional characters in horror close to you?