5 Horror Movies to Watch This Election Season
Chase Will
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Ah, election year! A time of friendship, open-mindedness, and carefully researched opinions! Or, if you live in the real world, it’s a time of posting social network diatribes, shouting over and alienating any dissenting parties, and starting drunken arguments with strangers.
As November approaches, it’s become increasingly difficult for me to watch horror movies without actively seeking parallels to the current US Presidential campaigns, the issues being discussed, or political know-alls blowing up my Facebook feed. While it’s unwise to discuss the political implications of movies without first taking into account the era of their release, this list may at least take the piss out of an otherwise hostile election season.
1) The Green Inferno (2013)
Activism is a beautiful thing, when those involved know what exactly what they’re fighting for. But once you step out from behind the safety of popular hashtags and retweets, you may find you’re not quite as educated as you’d prefer to believe. Chew on that, as a tribe of cannibals chew on college “slacktivists” whose 140-character slogans won’t save them from #FeelingtheBurn and being served up like Nana’s Thanksgiving turkey.
2) The Thing (1982)
They look human, they speak just like a human… but do they share my political views? While a difference in opinion may not be as deadly as an alien entity with the ability to imitate living organisms, it tends to dissolve friendships and fuel murderous impulses just as quickly. In both instances, flamethrowers are excellent problem solvers.
3) Saw VI (2009)
Do you have any idea how peeved I was when I found out my health insurance doesn’t cover treatment for male pattern baldness? Now I’m stuck being this sexy forever.
In arguably the most politically-charged installment of the Saw franchise, my woes—as well as the woes of Americans struggling to find affordable healthcare—are assuaged as Jigsaw leads a posthumous battle against insurance executives who see more value in dollar bills than in human lives.
4) Troll 2 (1990)
Much like Donald Trump, this movie is widely known for silly quotes, disregard for convention, and laughably bad acting. Despite the B-movie’s 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (and its complete lack of trolls), sharing this movie with friends has become a rite of passage. Rent a copy, make a giant bowl of popcorn, and invite people with opposing viewpoints over for a bonding experience which not even political trolls can undermine.
5) Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
“Whoever wins, we lose” is a tagline which is as suitable for Presidential primaries as it is for this famous slasher mash-up. Just like any Presidential debate, this movie’s more enjoyable with the volume turned down and “Looney Tunes” music in the background.
