What was the Japanese film? Honestly, I love the 2013 remake of evil dead, I think it was very well done with the practical effects—and it was gory as hell. But I hated Hostel. Just as brutal as possible with no rhyme or reason. However, in 2013’s evil dead, the gore and the horrible things being said just upped the intensity of the movie. It never felt just like gore for gore’s sake. Everything done was done with the intention of horrifying the friends and family members still alive, to torture them mentally—because that’s what demons do.

And, sure, the point of hostel wasn’t exactly lost on me, some humans—particularly 1%er rich people who’ve stopped hearing “no” indulging their sickest desires—are demons for all intents and purposes. I got it. But the brutality and gore just…ticked the boxes, it felt like. However, evil dead 2013 hit on almost every single phobia in the gore, but it never felt like it was just there for gore’s sake. I dunno. My point is the distinction is there, but I’m not sure what it is exactly that makes gore an addition to the scares, heightening the quality of horror movie, or just feels indulgent and off-putting. Maybe it’s the intention of the filmmakers, and it’s just apparent to us on some level when we watch it?

Also, as for another example—hereditary. Obviously not overly gory, but the choices of when to get gory were fuckin 10/10. That movie was a 10/10. They avoided showing the death when it heightened the tension and devastation of the characters we were experiencing the situation through, but in the climax we saw gore, like the piano wire thing (to avoid spoilers, if you haven’t seen it—and if you haven’t, you must.)