Watch This Totally Messed Up Video That Fans of Liminal Horror Call “Incredible”
Analog horror is taking off. I think we owe a lot of that to the surprise success of Kyle Edward Ball’s Skinamarink. Since then, several recent outings, including Shelby Oaks and Strange Harvest, have tried to capture that distinct, liminal, analog feel. Classics like Pulse are the benchmark, and newer indies like Old Wounds do a lot right. Plus, we’ve got A24’s upcoming Backrooms film to look forward to. Presently, however, the internet is certifiably obsessed with The Locust, and if you don’t know what that means, I’ll give you the rundown.
The Locust, otherwise known as The Thumper, is the primary antagonist of The Organator Enterprise, a 3-part YouTube series hosted by horror channel Doctor Nowhere. As described on the Locust’s wiki, the entity “appears as a tall, lanky, black creature with an uncanny face featuring soulless eyes, a long nose, and a triangular-like jaw.” The internet is enraptured by the analog monstrosity, and if you’re curious as to why, go ahead and check out the first entry in the series below:
Allegedly, the Locust’s primary power (ability?) is its capacity to break through computer screens and enter your world. While it might seem silly, I actually think it’s an ingenious and profound way to make use of new technologies and render their distinct capacities as fresh, inventive avenues for scares. It’s similar to how Netflix’s Incantation, a movie I called “the future of streaming horror,” used its method of distribution to implicate the streaming audience in the proliferation of its central curse.
Analog Horror
We’re getting very New Media here, but The Locust, and The Organator Enterprise by extension, represent the best of what new media, especially new horror media, can offer. It’s distinctly liminal and deliberately modern. In a reflection on the modern state of liminal horror, I wrote, “When the lights go up and the jolts are over, it’s the mood—the rattle of the senses— that endures.” That’s what the best analog horror does. Check out some choice audience reactions below:
There’s fan art, memes, and a whole community dedicated to this silly little guy. It’s beautiful to see. So, what do you think? Any plans to stream The Organator Enterprise? Did it scare you? If you vibe with it, consider checking out Eternal Family, the best streaming service you’ve never heard of. Let me know your thoughts over on Twitter at @Chadiscollins or Instagram @Chadcoolins.
Categorized:Streaming News