Phantastiqa: 1917 is a Horror Movie
A film analysis I wrote for the science fiction/horror mag, Phantastiqa.
I often wonder why the Venn diagram of war and horror films doesn’t overlap more. Death and the dark side of human nature prevail in both genres and the differences between them are often subtler than we give credit. This is particularly evident in war films that trade in gritty realism like 1917, which bears much resemblance in form and structure to a horror movie.
The dominant emotion that governs 1917 is fear and it does not let up for the entire two hours. Shot to appear as a single take, 1917’s narrative unfolds in real time so that the viewer is just as blind as the characters living through it. This makes you feel every single moment of danger that befalls Lance Corporals Blake and Schofield—and they are never not in danger. Whenever they stick their heads above the parapet or approach a door, you’re filled with that familiar urge to scream, “Don’t go in there!” because you know something awful must be waiting on the other side.
Read the rest of the article at Phantastiqa