Frankenstein, Nosferatu, Dracula: A Love Tale, all gothic films released within the last few years, all regarded with relatively high success. So why is this? I am a big believer that art is often a reflection of current society, our beliefs, values, general mood, and so on.
So, with the world being in its current state, I think it is no wonder our tastes have turned more macabre.
These movies are very dramatic, with characters collapsing into their grief and worry and there is an undeniable satisfaction to that. Think how many times you’ve wanted to lay on the floor and wail, but even in the comfort of your home have been unable to do so. That is what is so satisfying, characters emotions are heightened to the extreme and in a world where we are becoming numb, where we are taught to be nonchalant, I think that is beautiful.
I also think viewing these films feels particularly special from a feminine viewpoint. Women are vital to these films with characters like Ellen from Nosferatu, Elizabeth from Frankenstein, even Maria from Dracula: A Love Story who is not even a love interest but nevertheless vital to the story (and who happens to be my favourite).
Though there is an argument that these women play shallow roles; either serving as a male character’s motivation or obsession, I personally see it as being deeper. I don’t want to be too critical of other genres, but it often feels that in a lot of other films, for a woman to be seen as competent, she must lack any emotions.
This is the exact opposite in a gothic film. The women are instead celebrated for her emotions, praised for how empathetic and strong they make her and if she is forced to suppress herself, it is usually to dire consequences.
It also feels impossible to bring up the gothic genre without mentioning its deep ties to the Victorian era, with most of the movies being set in that era. The Victorians had a strong obsession with death and while luckily, we now have a lot more medical advancement I don’t think we are that different. Ever since the coronavirus, I feel like we have become more familiar with death though not less scared. It’s certainly not a good thing but nevertheless they say life imitates art, and art equally imitates life.
With all that in mind these movies are also just fun, with their beautiful scenery and whimsical costumes, and I really hope to see more in the future. I’m personally hoping for an adaptation of the 1872 novella Carmilla but will be excited for whatever comes out.
