Why is there so many dream sequences in modern horror?

[MazeRunner]

And they're only used for jump scares. Anyone else hate this trend?

This year we've had The Boy, The Forest, and The Darkness use dream sequences for cheap scares. Hush also did it, kind-of.

Last year there was Green Inferno, MTV's Scream tv show, Woman In Black 2, etc.

Is this simply lazy screenwriting? Especially when the dream sequences help advance the plot?

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by TakeApartYourHead

And they're only used for jump scares. Anyone else hate this trend?

This year we've had The Boy, The Forest, and The Darkness use dream sequences for cheap scares. Hush also did it, kind-of.

Last year there was Green Inferno, MTV's Scream tv show, Woman In Black 2, etc.

Is this simply lazy screenwriting? Especially when the dream sequences help advance the plot?

Dream sequences are nothing new to horror, that's for sure. And I would be shocked to not find a couple here or there in something the "Scream" TV show. That show is ripe for jump scare dreams.

[Foggy]

So they have something scary to put in the trailer to make the film look more exciting.

[Astro Zombie]

You might just be falling asleep at the movies too much

[Thomas Irwin]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Dream sequences are nothing new to horror, that's for sure.

Yes. Even the dog wasn't safe from one.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by Thomas Irwin

Yes. Even the dog wasn't safe from one.

[Show spoiler]

Heh.

This has little to do with the thread subject, but it somehow reminded me of it. On another board I was reading about the movie The Unborn, with Odette Annabelle. Anyone remember that?

Anyways, someone started a thread for that movie complaining that he and his wife had lost a baby in utero recently, and were utterly offended by the content of the movie.

WTF did they think the movie was about?! IT'S CALLED THE UNBORN, IT'S A HORROR MOVIE, AND IT PRACTICALLY BEGINS WITH A DREAM SEQUENCE!?

The thread seemed totally absurd.

[The Debts]

Well, I certainly don't remember seeing any kind of dream sequences in It Follows, Under The Skin or The Witch. There was some in The Babadook, but those provided actual character development in favor of more "quiet quiet quiet BANG!" malarkey that seems to be some kind of mandate at Blumhouse, a company that knows better but keeps doing it anyway because money.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Well, I certainly don't remember seeing any kind of dream sequences in It Follows, Under The Skin or The Witch. There was some in The Babadook, but those provided actual character development in favor of more "quiet quiet quiet BANG!" malarkey that seems to be some kind of mandate at Blumhouse, a company that knows better but keeps doing it anyway because money.

Well, I'm going to pray the next time that I meet a really attractive, slightly peculiar young woman that seems interested in me that ALL of Under the Skin was a dream.

[The Debts]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Well, I'm going to pray the next time that I meet a really attractive, slightly peculiar young woman that seems interested in me that ALL of Under the Skin was a dream.

Then say goodbye to your organs, mate!

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Then say goodbye to your organs, mate!

This thread's no fun anymore.

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Well, I certainly don't remember seeing any kind of dream sequences in It Follows, Under The Skin or The Witch. There was some in The Babadook, but those provided actual character development in favor of more "quiet quiet quiet BANG!" malarkey that seems to be some kind of mandate at Blumhouse, a company that knows better but keeps doing it anyway because money.

There was a sort-of dream sequence in The Witch,

[Show spoiler]when the mother is visited by her dead son and baby.

[imsounoriginal]

"Why is there so many dream sequences in modern horror?"

[The Debts]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

There was a sort-of dream sequence in The Witch,

[Show spoiler]when the mother is visited by her dead son and baby.

To me, I read that more as an illusion cast by the witch than a dream sequence.

[JohnCarpenterLives]

Blame Roger Corman.

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by TakeApartYourHead

Is this simply lazy screenwriting? Especially when the dream sequences help advance the plot?

Lazy writing, crappy directors etc.

[dallywhitty]

Because dream sequences are cool as ****.

[P-Rock]

I know, they ruined the whole Nightmare on Elm Street franchise!

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

I actually thought what Hush pulled off was brilliant.

[MazeRunner]

Watching The Other Side Of The Door now. It starts off with a dream sequence scare.