Summary of Key Points
This article discusses the challenges and potential solutions for domestic horror films, particularly those adapted from urban legends. Although the box office performance of "The Back Room" was unsatisfactory, its introduction filled a gap in the domestic horror genre. However, domestic online horror films have lost audience trust due to their poor quality and reliance on clichéd formulas for quick profit. There is a wealth of valuable urban legend materials (such as the Zuo Yang incident and cinema ghost stories) that are being wasted. The article calls on creators to return to the essence of storytelling, incorporating the experiences and emotions of young people to create truly compelling Eastern urban horror tales.
1. The Introduction of "The Back Room": Poor Box Office, but an Opening for New Possibilities
Although "The Back Room" did not achieve high box office success, its introduction is noteworthy as it brought a new type of horror film to the domestic cinema—one that combines online elements with production by a well-known company. The domestic horror market has long been underwhelming: either domestic films are virtually invisible or any successful outliers cannot meet the overall demand. Experienced horror fans are tired of repeated adaptations of classic IPs like "Liaozhai" and prefer urban legends that are more relatable to their lives. When "The Back Room" claimed to be targeted at young people, it sparked envy among local audiences, as they finally saw a horror film that resonated with their interests, even if it may not have catered to all Chinese tastes.
2. The "Fast-Food Trap" of Online Horror Films: Low Cost, Quick Profit, and Exploitation of Audiences
In the early days of online films, many creators targeted the urban legend genre, but their approach was too simplistic:
- Low cost: No need for stars; scripts were written in a few days (often based on rumors and secondary creativity), with locations set in abandoned buildings or film studios, and the most expensive part being post-production editing.
- Clichéd formulas: Tragic events, screaming characters, and mysterious background music leading to predictable endings (either dreams or illusions).
- Hollow reputation: Many online horror films based on themes like "Sealed Village" received negative reviews. Audiences moved from curiosity to disappointment, and these films became material for reviewers' videos, with even the actors becoming part of urban legends themselves (for example, Peng Yuyi, who went from being mocked to being admired for his dedication, yet his works were still poorly made).
This profit-driven approach has severely damaged the reputation of urban legends in horror films.
3. Waste of Quality Materials: Potential Gems Turning into Mediocre Films
There are many excellent domestic urban legend stories that go untold:
- Zuo Yang Incident: A story about a netizen challenging supernatural taboos, who seemingly suffered consequences and later warned others to avoid it, disappearing without further explanation. This story has both suspense and a warning message but was never properly adapted into a film.
- Cinema Ghost Stories: Childhood horror experiences from popular videos on platforms like Bilibili, with relatable endings that reflect the passage of time.
- Jiu Ju Yi Pai: A fictional element from the Hong Kong movie "Exorcism Police" that was misinterpreted by netizens as a supernatural sect, causing confusion among older Hong Kong film fans (since it's clearly a reference from Stephen Chow's films).
These stories could have been turned into great films, but creators prefer to repeat tired tropes like ghosts and demons, exhausting the audience's patience.
4. The Key to Telling Good Stories: Avoid Clichés and Tap into Real Fears
The success of "The Back Room" (which did well overseas) lies in its resonance with Western young audiences' feelings of pessimism about the endless expansion of civilization. "Soul Transfer" became popular because of its solid script and thoughtful dialogue, which allowed viewers to connect with the human aspects of life's hardships. So, how should Chinese urban legends be adapted into films?
- Focus on Real-Life Fears: Young people are not scared of ghosts so much as things like long working hours, marriage pressure, buying haunted houses, and the threat of AI replacing jobs—these real-life fears make for more compelling horror stories.
- Use Everyday Settings: Directors like Liu Zhenwei understand that cities are where most people live, and horror stories set there feel more authentic (for example, encountering strange things at the office is more frightening than ghosts in the wilderness).
- Don't Be Perfunctory: Avoid predictable endings based on dreams or illusions; instead, invest time in crafting well-written scripts that create a warm and logical narrative, like "Soul Transfer."
5. The Lack of Patience Among Creators: The Quest for Quick Profit Leads to the Loss of Soul
Many online horror creators focus solely on popularity rather than telling meaningful stories. They treat urban legends as a means to generate traffic rather than creative material. However, the essence of horror films lies in authenticity and emotional connection with the audience. The producer of "The Back Room," A24, emphasized the need to attract young people who have never been to the cinema by showing them films they will enjoy. This reminder suggests that creators should put aside their desire for quick profit and use urban legends from a young perspective to create truly impactful works.
In essence, this article argues that domestic horror films lack not materials but creators who are willing to tell stories with sincerity and depth. By embracing real-life fears and focusing on authentic storytelling, filmmakers can produce films that resonate with audiences.