If you’ve never come across a horror western before then it might seem like an unlikely hook up. But these two seemingly wildly different genres have been intertwined since the earliest days of movie making. From the classics, like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” to modern-day mashups, like “From Dusk Till Dawn,” these films have proven that the wild, untamed West and the terror of the unknown make a cute couple.
And you know me, both horror and westerns have my interest, so combining the two always peeks my curiosity.
Mining for gold, both horror and Westerns deal with the struggle between civilization and the unknown. In Westerns, that’s the frontier, where law and order are at odds with the harsh realities of life. Just trying to survive in the American West was a horror unto itself. If you didn’t have the skills to survive and you weren’t with someone who could or able to learn quick, there was a strong possibility it would be game over. And in horror, it’s the fear of the unknown, the darkness that lurks just beyond the edge of our vision. The things that make us wonder what’s looking at us from the corner of he room after we just turned out the lights.
Horror and Westerns feed off each other, complementing the shadows and the light. With it’s sprawling landscapes, rugged terrain, and isolated towns, the Western offers up the perfect hunting ground for horror. Huge empty landscapes emphasizes the isolation and vulnerability of the people that dwell there, making them even more susceptible to the horrors that lie in wait.
But it’s not just the landscape or the isolation, the American West also provides a rich source of myths and legends to inspire any filmmaker. Filled with supernatural creatures, like the Chupacabra, Skinwalkers, and Wendigos, horror has a plethora of choices. It’s a kid in a candy store kinda situation, but for horror filmmakers -how are there not more horror westerns!?!
This unlikely pairing, spine tingling horror and knight-in-shining-armour Westerns just goes to show how filmmakers can push boundaries to create something truly unique. And yes, I know there are plenty to choose from already, but could you imagine what a horror western might look like if it was a combination of your favourite horror and your favourite western -same filmmakers, actors, money? By taking the archetypes of the Western genre and infusing them with the terror of the unknown, horror-westerns have carved out their own niche in the world of cinema. I, for one, would love to see more.
Horror and Fantasy Author – Also writing as K.T. McQueen. Love Western Horror, cowboy boots, my cactus Collin, & my Demon Cat.
Moths – I hate moths, the way they flutter at your face!
