The Horror Franchise That Stole Scream’s Greatest Trick

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One could say that there’s no simpler method to induce fear than by watching a scary movie. This type of film primarily focuses on evoking feelings of dread, shock, unease, and discomfort to narrate its story. As humans are innately programmed for survival and self-preservation, any skilled horror creator knows precisely which emotional triggers to activate in order to manipulate those instincts.

People often seek comfort in familiarity and ease, yet our brains have an innate ability to solve puzzles. This duality could be why suspenseful and frightening films are popular, but they wouldn’t be appealing without a certain level of tension. Whether it’s a sudden shock, emotionally challenging themes, or a complex enigma, every horror and thriller film needs to be exciting. Luring audiences into a false sense of safety before the story takes an unexpected turn is quite effective. Using a red herring is an ideal method for creating suspense and achieving those exhilarating moments.

Red Herrings Are a Classic Movie Trope

Beyond its original context, the term “red herring” is commonly used across various cultures. Although its origins date back centuries, many people may not be familiar with its meaning. Historically, a herring was a popular food item, particularly in the days before refrigeration. To preserve them, they were smoked and salted, resulting in reddish-colored meat and an unpleasant odor. In addition to serving as food, the “red” herring also became a metaphor, stemming from an 1807 newspaper article that criticized hasty news reporting about Napoleon’s defeat, likening it to fox hunting practices where hunters would use the stinky fish to train their dogs to focus solely on the scent trail without getting sidetracked.

In a similar vein, others speculated that certain individuals might intentionally confuse hunting dogs with their scents. Additionally, there exists an older, less credible tale about a wealthy man who left a peculiar chest to his servant upon his death in 1672. To the servant’s surprise, instead of a fortune, it contained only a single herring. Interestingly, both stories share a common theme: the fish was used to deceive, whether it was tricking the dogs with its scent or fooling the servant into expecting something valuable from his employer.

In the realm of entertainment, the idea stays consistent. Today, a red herring is mostly used to denote something that appears significant or crucial yet turns out to be unrelated or misleading. Its purpose is to confuse both the characters in the story and its viewers, making the final twist even more surprising, which audiences find delightful.

It’s generally accepted that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced the term “red herring” in his first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet. In this tale, a detective from the local area discovers the phrase “Rache” written in blood at a crime scene and believes it to be the start of the name Rachel. However, Sherlock Holmes corrects him, explaining that “Rache” is actually German for revenge.

Initially, they pursued someone named Rachel, but later shifted to searching for a German individual. It wasn’t until Sherlock discovered the author had intentionally misled the investigators that the murderer was found. This deception kept both the detective and the reader guessing for a while longer. Agatha Christie, much like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, excelled at employing such false leads – a technique known as red herrings. Given their prominence in the mystery genre, it’s no wonder that red herrings made their way onto the silver screen when movies gained popularity.

In the horror classic film Psycho, Alfred Hitchcock, who was famously known as the Master of Suspense, deviated from the usual by introducing Marion Crane as the main character at the start of the movie. However, he unexpectedly killed her off early in the movie, leading viewers to believe that her storyline was significant. Yet, it turned out that Marion’s theft of money and her character were all red herrings, meant to mislead the audience. The real twist came when Norman Bates’ mother was revealed as the killer, a surprise that set the stage for the slasher movie genre.

Scream Was Built on Red Herrings

1996 saw the debut of the classic horror film “Scream,” which has since become a cherished staple in its genre. By skillfully combining elements of traditional slasher movies with humor, it offers a unique blend that appeals to viewers. The narrative is heavily influenced by meta-commentary, satirizing common tropes and clichés found within the horror genre. The main character is Sidney Prescott, whose story unfolds around the one-year anniversary of her mother Maureen Prescott’s tragic murder.

In the peaceful town of Woodsboro, tranquility is disrupted once more as a masked assailant resumes stabbing residents. This time, the primary target seems to be Sidney, with the attacker making phone calls to torment her and putting her life in danger, even attempting to kill her during a violent incident at an anti-curfew party. The plot of the movie revolves around misleading clues, as the identity of the slasher known as Ghostface remains a secret, and even Maureen’s murder isn’t as straightforward as initially believed.

In the opening scene of the film “Scream”, a misleading event takes place: Drew Barrymore’s character, Casey Becker, is portrayed as the main protagonist due to heavy promotional efforts, appearing on the poster as the central figure. However, it’s Casey who meets an early and unexpected demise in the movie, having answered a call from Ghostface and subsequently losing the game of cat-and-mouse. Interestingly, Casey’s boyfriend, Billy Loomis, appears suspicious right from the start – a giant red flag throughout the film. His role as a suspect is established when he carelessly drops a cell phone during a chase by Ghostface in Sidney’s house, but another murder later clears him of any involvement.

In much the same way, Neil, Sidney’s father, vanishes shortly after the Woodsboro Massacre begins, leading many to suspect him due to his close ties with Maureen Prescott, who was involved in an affair at the time of her death. However, in the climactic scene, it is disclosed that Billy’s imprisonment and Neil Prescott’s disappearance were intended to mislead authorities from uncovering Billy and Stu Macher as the true culprits. Each film in the Scream series includes such red herrings, contributing significantly to its overall appeal.

Final Destination Borrowed and Improved on the Trope

The main storyline of Final Destination revolves around a high school student named Alex Browning, who is about to embark on a trip to Paris with his class. Just before boarding Volée Airlines Flight 180, he experiences a chilling premonition of the plane exploding shortly after takeoff, resulting in the death of everyone aboard. After witnessing this terrifying vision, Alex becomes distraught and reacts impulsively, leading to his removal from the flight along with several others. Unfortunately, his premonition comes true when the plane detonates mere seconds into its journey. This event leaves Alex grappling with survivor’s guilt, attracting the attention of the FBI, and putting every other survivor in danger as they begin to die mysteriously and violently, forcing Alex to find a way to outmaneuver death.

Similar to Scream, Final Destination belongs to the genre of slashers, but with a unique twist. While Scream is known for its horror-comedy blend, Final Destination’s slasher element is distinct in that the killer is invisible and relentless, personifying Death itself as the antagonist. The gory scenes in Final Destination are intense and often more brutal than those in Scream, with a heightened sense of tension. Unlike traditional slashers where false leads reveal the killer’s identity, Final Destination uses red herrings to hint at the methods of each character’s demise rather than the killer’s identity. The series employs subtle foreshadowing, as seemingly innocuous details can actually be clues about how a character will meet their end. This leaves viewers guessing and on edge throughout the franchise, unsure of exactly how any given character might die.

In the first film, there are simple deaths such as Terry Chaney, who was fatally struck by a sudden appearance of a bus, wiping out Flight 180’s last known survivor. Conversely, more intricate sequences involve characters like Tod Waggner, whose death occurred during a memorial service at night in his bathroom. A leaky toilet, precariously balanced scissors, and an electric outlet sparking near a puddle of water set the stage for Tod’s demise. He slipped on the wet floor by the toilet, falling into a towel line hanging over the bathtub that strangely tightened around his neck. Unable to free himself, he succumbed to asphyxiation shortly thereafter. The leak inexplicably stopped, making Tod’s death appear self-inflicted.

After Terry’s demise, tensions intensified with the sole surviving adult, Valerie Lewton. Being the only chaperone left alive, the tragic incident deeply affected Valerie, making her feel responsible. Consequently, when she found herself at the top of the ‘Death’s list’, she began to prepare for a permanent departure from Mt. Abraham. The narrative shifts in the third act as Valerie, distraught and seeking solace, opted to brew hot tea but instead reached for vodka stored in the freezer inside a ceramic cup. Unfortunately, this cup cracked under pressure, causing the flammable liquid to spill across her house and onto her computer.

The computer blows up due to an electrical short, causing a piece of glass to pierce her throat and sparking a fire that quickly spreads across her kitchen. Before she dies, a knife plunges into her chest. Just like in the movie “Scream,” these death scenes are filled with red herrings, which have become a signature trope in the series. Even the death scene shown in the trailer for “Final Destination: Bloodlines” is packed with them. Here’s hoping that the next movie continues this trend, as it adds an extra layer of intrigue to the franchise.

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2025-04-21 07:21