Compare Contrast Two Classic Horror Films

The Shining vs. The Exorcist

The Shining and The Exorcist are both horror classics that have terrified audiences for decades. Both films are masterpieces of suspense and tension, with scenes that will stay with viewers long after they've left the theater. However, each film is also unique in its own way. The Shining is a classic real-world horror story in which the terror grows both from a real fear of domestic violence and the influence of ghosts. It is characterized by a slow build up of tension that culminates in a series of shocking and terrifying scenes. The Exorcist, on the other hand, is a more relentless and graphic film, that explores what a real-world case of supernatural possession might look like. The Shining is also ostensibly about “possession”—but the possession is only suggested and is never explicitly detailed; it is the suspicion of possession that makes the film so frightening, as the characters are locked away in a secluded hotel, buried in snow with no escape. The Exorcist takes place in an urban environment, where characters (aside from the explicitly possessed girl) are free to come and go as they please. Both films are essential viewing for any fan of horror, and each has earned its place as a classic of the genre.

William Friedkin’s film The Exorcist is one of the most controversial and influential horror films of all time. It is known for its realism (although some of its depictions of possession were likely exaggerated for the sake of cinematic tension). Released in 1973, the movie tells the story of a young girl who becomes possessed by a demon and the two priests who attempt to save her. The movie was in fact widely criticized for its graphic depiction of violence and demonic possession, but it was also praised for its exceptional style, direction, acting, and music. To this day, The Exorcist remains one of the most controversial and widely discussed horror films ever made.

On the other hand, Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic The Shining (1980) is renowned for its use of cinematography, style, and acting to create a sense of unease and dread. The film’s unnerving, haunting, and visually-arresting atmosphere is further enhanced by its atmospheric musical score. The plot revolves around an aspiring writer who agrees to serve as the caretaker of an isolated hotel during the off-season. However, the hotel is haunted by ghosts who drive the protagonist to madness. The conflict is established early on and intensifies as the story progresses. The structure is expertly crafted, with each scene building on the previous one to create a mounting sense of tension. The resolution is both shocking and satisfying, providing a fitting end to this masterpiece of horror cinema.

Ultimately, the two films deliver a lot of haunting scares for audiences. The Exorcist has more of a feel of realism to it, tonally speaking. But The Shining delivers in terms of style and all-around eeriness. For when it comes to creating eerie characters and scenes, there is no one better than director Stanley Kubrick, which is why some consider his The Shining to be his best.