In the realm of horror cinema, where the boundaries of morality are often blurred, a captivating trend has emerged, pushing the boundaries of what we consider acceptable and disturbing. The recent release of Lee Cronin's The Mummy continues a disturbing, transgressive new horror trend that has been gaining traction over the past two years. This trend revolves around the Evil Child and Dark Mother archetypes, but with a twist that adds a layer of complexity and intrigue. Instead of the villains being the victims' actual mothers, these women are more like surrogate parents, and the evil children are pawns of a larger, malicious force.
What makes this trend particularly fascinating is the way it subverts our expectations. The Evil Child trope, which has been a staple of horror storytelling for centuries, is given a new spin. The children in these films are not inherently evil, but rather they are manipulated and controlled by a sinister force. This raises a deeper question: are these children truly evil, or are they just victims of circumstances beyond their control?
One of the most intriguing aspects of this trend is the role of the Dark Mother. Typically, evil moms in horror are presented as having the natural affection for their offspring twisted into something dark. However, in this new trend, the women responsible for the evil are not mothers at all, but rather surrogate parents. This adds a layer of complexity to the archetype, as we are forced to question the nature of parental responsibility and the boundaries of familial relationships.
The Dark Mother in Lee Cronin's The Mummy, known as The Magician, is a particularly intriguing example of this trend. She is presented as a witch-like figure, but with a twist. Unlike the archetypal witch, she is not resentful of her age, nor does she flaunt it. Instead, she is a sympathetic character with ulterior motives for her vile actions. This adds a layer of nuance to the archetype, making her a more grounded and realistic villain.
The trend also extends to the children themselves. Typically, the evil child in horror films is either a genuinely malicious being hiding behind the visage of innocence, or an innocent kid whose body and soul are co-opted by evil. However, in this new trend, the children are replaced by evil instead of being changed by it. This adds a layer of complexity to the archetype, as we are forced to question the nature of innocence and the boundaries of human nature.
In my opinion, this trend is a reflection of our modern-day anxieties about the state of the world. It allows these horror films to tackle the topic of raising a child in a dangerous, violent, perhaps even doomed environment obliquely, rather than head-on. It also raises questions about the role of society and the community in shaping the individuals within it. As the trend continues, we will have to see what new and disturbing twists it will bring to the horror genre.
Lee Cronin's The Mummy is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts, as it continues a disturbing, transgressive new horror trend that is pushing the boundaries of what we consider acceptable and disturbing. It is a thought-provoking and engaging film that will leave you questioning the nature of evil and the boundaries of human nature.
