Wizards in Horror

virgil · Post by **virgil** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:41 am

I've seen numerous supernatural creatures in horror films, be it vampire, wolfman, demon, ghost, or even entire cults. However, I'm at a loss to think of any besides Storm of the Century (which is actually a mini-series) where there's a full-blown wizard. There's the occasional glimpse of one, but it's a gypsy or a mummy that leaves a single curse/enchantment and then leaves, making it more of a horror movie with a spell in it.

K · Post by K » Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:51 am

Warlock

Lord of Illusions

The Craft

Basically anything with witches or evil spellcasters, though the word "wizard" is never used. Necromancer, witch, warlock, and the like just sound scarier because "wizard" sounds like Merlin and that sounds fluffy with flying unicorns.

But yes, even Merlin makes appearances in horror movies sometimes. With Ernest Borgnine in fact.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 4:26 am

I think the Dr. Strange comics veer into Horror from time to time, as well...

Username17 · Post by **Username17** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:48 am

Also, a fair number of depictions of "the devil" are pretty much just a wizard. He shows up, he has magic mojo, and he's played by a guy in a suit. Like in Witches of Eastwick or Devil's Advocate.

-Username17

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:20 pm

Buffy, Angel & Charmed.

More Angel than anything else. But Charmed had its moments.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:02 pm

None of those were really horror, though, Cynic. Though I could easily see a horror story with Giles or Westley in it...

Username17 · Post by **Username17** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 4:15 pm

Prak_Anima wrote:None of those were really horror, though, Cynic. Though I could easily see a horror story with Giles or Westley in it...

Horror is a genre which includes a lot of stuff. There's horror comedy, there's psychological horror, and so on and so on. A lot of people when they think "horror" actually mean "splatter", which is a rather limited subgenre that is targeted at teenage girls. Gore films of the "Friday 13th part XX" variety are horror - but so is a lot of other stuff that isn't anything like that.

That being said, within the gorefest subgenre, both Freddy (Nightmare on Elmstreet) and the Leprechaun (Leprechaun) are essentially wizards. Yes, Freddy is a murderous ghost, and the Leprechaun is a wicked demon, but they both have ill-explained magical powers. Heck, in Leprechaun 5: Leprechaun In Da Hood, the Leprechaun uses magic words to summon zombie fly girls from the netherworld (yes, really).

-Username17

virgil · Post by **virgil** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:02 pm

FrankTrollman wrote:Horror is a genre which includes a lot of stuff. There's horror comedy, there's psychological horror, and so on and so on. A lot of people when they think "horror" actually mean "splatter", which is a rather limited subgenre that is targeted at teenage girls. Gore films of the "Friday 13th part XX" variety are horror - but so is a lot of other stuff that isn't anything like that.

Personally, whenever I hear about horror, I think of the non-gore style, like Blair Witch Project, Supernatural, etc.

Shrapnel · Post by **Shrapnel** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:05 pm

FrankTrollman wrote:Heck, in Leprechaun 5: Leprechaun In Da Hood, the Leprechaun uses magic words to summon zombie fly girls from the netherworld (yes, really).

I remember that. But I remember "Wazzup me ninjas?" even more.

Wizards are considered more the stuff of fantasy rather than horror, Lord of the Rings being the most immediate and obvious example.

Wizards don't often appear in horror 'cause there are scarier things in the world than just... wizards.

Examples:
A giant ass, 50-foot tall woman?

Scary, in a sexy kind of way. Especially to anti-feminists.

Zombies killing dogs, black people, and idiotic drunken/high/horny/all of the above teens, all in that exact order?

Trite, but if done right, scary.

Santa Clause?

Scary. There's a reason he wears those white gloves...

Jesus?

He's a lich, so yes, scary.

Warwick Davis?

SCARIEST MUTHERFUCKA IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE.

Guy with a beard, pointy hat, robes, staff, hideously fat wife, THE BOOK, and a lil' monkey obsession?

ALSO FUCKING TERRIFYING. Not because it has a wizard, but because of the hideously fat wife. And Ernest Borgnine. Otherwise, not so much.

So, you see, wizards just don't often make for interesting, scary movie fare. Unless someone made a movie about D&D wizards. Then it gets scary.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:21 pm

The purpose of Horror is to evoke fear, yes? I might buy that Supernatural, and perhaps the Buffy movie are Horror, if weakly, but Charmed? I don't see it.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:50 pm

I dunno, if I ever find myself facing a Charmed marathon I'm fairly horrified.

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:11 am

Charmed was a weak offering. But it's the only show that actually has wizards on there. To some people the idea of horror is also being confronted with fears and tropes straight out of their childhood. So to somebody who went to church, this could be parsel tongue or demon children.

Post by **fbmf** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:42 am

Does Flagg from Eyes of the Dragon count, or does it have to be a movie?

Game On,
fbmf

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:05 am

There's been at least one movie adaptation of a book with Flagg in it.

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:00 am

Flagg is a pretty damn good example because he is out and out right said to be a wizard. The horrible Stand tv miniseries has a Flagg character. he's a pretty scary mofo.

fectin · Post by **fectin** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:34 am

Dresden files, though it's a show.
I don't know if you count Time Bandits as horror.
Beetlejuice.

JigokuBosatsu · Post by **JigokuBosatsu** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:08 pm

"Case of Charles Dexter Ward" and its adaptations.