It must be literary, vivid, and fascinating; but more importantly, it must be "American things in this era written by Americans." The author, theme, and timeliness are all indispensable.
The recognized great American novels listed on Wikipedia include Moby-Dick, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath, and The Catcher in the Rye , "Lolita" and so on, you know where American writers will look if they want to set a benchmark.
Some people say that this ideal is a desire for epic, because they have never had a legacy. But from another perspective, this is a conscious participation in writing history, a sense of responsibility between heroism and arrogance.
This sense of responsibility is not unique to writers. Almost all American creators clasp their fists secretly in their hearts.
This play is an attempt to tell such a "great American horror story".
The main characters are extremely typical: the husband of a psychologist, the wife of a family with artistic temperament, and the adolescent daughter who is a little dark. There is also a dog.
The scenes are also familiar: lawns, blocks, large detached houses. A middle school that someone likened to a "man-made micro-distorted society", a mysterious neighbor, and a beach not far away.
But since the maid appeared, everything was a little bit different. Have you ever seen any horror film about American suburbs that uses maids as the standard family configuration?
Yes, large detached houses far away from urban areas, and high schools with popularity as the only social order standard, are a lingering nightmare for contemporary Americans. Think about it, how many realistic horror movies take place outside of these two scenes every year?
They worked hard and actively struggled, and finally moved the imaginary scene to their side, only to find that they still didn't know what to do? How to dispel this anxiety?
We call it the first world problem.
Back to the maid. We found that the maid in the eyes of the couple was not alone; we found that the maid was also a person with a story-she had died a long time ago; we found that the mysterious neighbor and the maid also had a connection... She was not only because she was only dressed in clothes. Dressed up in this way, she is the past, the lingering, dead but not stiff past.
The United States has gradually become a country with a history. Since the end of the civil war, it has actively participated in the war while fighting the war against the alliance of nations, nations, races, and terrorism. From the day the plane landed to today, it turned around and suddenly found that it had also passed. It is no longer, or can no longer always think of itself as the unstinting teenager. It has had an affair, told a lie, buried a dead body, and the women in front of him seem to be seduce him. The wife can't touch it, the mistress doesn't let go, and he killed people at work...
Starting from the maid, we entered the melodrama." Everyone is not the way they show up" mode. The husband not only has an affair, but also has no intention of repentance; the wife is unwilling to sacrifice for the family and children, and she is ambiguous with the security company before she is completely separated; the daughter seems to be bullied, but the people around him are killed or injured.
This family seems to be breaking down, but it seems to be maintaining it. There is no salvation in sight, but there is always a turning point. Today is the United States. Or anywhere else.
Up to now, the mode of "starting with a short story similar to the retrospective of classic horror films, introducing new characters and plots, and interspersing with the main line" has basically taken shape. But the most watchable, or the most appealing of this play, is neither the opening story nor the protagonists who shoulder the problems of the first world, but the omnipresent and overwhelming tribute.
Just count, The Amityville Horror, The Shining, Rosemary's Baby, Halloween, Carrie, Candyman, Devil Angel (Twisted Nerve)...I can still remember it, and I personally think that there are Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Phenomena, and so on. And the real Columbine. Watching it all the way, it can be used as a repertoire of the horror fan club party. Whether it has actually achieved its ideals is not important to me.
This is by no means demeaning, but because of a horror movie lover's heartfelt praise for another horror movie lover's wonderful work, and a little homesickness after re-examining the past.
For the work, this should be regarded as a person who had the ideal of "the great American horror story" in his heart when he created it, and he should report on the historical coordinates.
PS: It’s always said that the rubber man has a heavy taste. In fact, anyone who has read Japanese comics knows what’s going on: Don’t the murderers of Kindaichi and Conan always remain in this costume?
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