10 Times Horror Directors Admitted They Went Too Far
It's great to see film directors pushing boundaries... but there's a limit.
As is often the case in horror, directors aren't just trying to tell a story, but they're also trying to push boundaries as far as they can. The easiest way to do this is by inserting something in a movie that's so extreme, gory, or disturbing that it's guaranteed to have a palpable response.
Since the days of Psycho and The Exorcist, there have been tales of auteurs fighting tooth and nail to maintain their vision, even though the powers-that-be were eager to tone things down. With that in mind, it's reassuring when these films are released uncensored.
With that said, there have been times when directors took a second look at their work and realised that they may have gone too far. Though they had no qualms initially, these filmmakers changed their tune while shooting or during post-production. On the other hand, they could've changed their mind after seeing how deeply the picture in question has upset the public in the long run.
Although it's great to watch slashers and supernatural thrillers push the envelope, there have been occasions where the creators admitted they may have gone a little overboard.
10. Renfield
Chris McKay's horror-comedy Renfield serves as a Dracula adaptation from the POV of Drac's minion, Robert Montague Renfield. Recognising that he's trapped in a toxic partnership with his malevolent master, Renfield tries to break away and start his life anew.
It may have bombed spectacularly at the box office, but Renfield was praised for its performances, especially from Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage, and it also explored codependency in a way that was surprisingly informative and touching. The film was likewise commended for its creative violence, which, despite being bloody, came across as bombastic rather than scary.
However, Universal didn't feel the same way. In one interview, McKay said the studio raised concerns about how “disgusting” some of the bloodshed was, especially in a scene where Dracula is heavily injured after being exposed to sunlight. Though McKay didn't want to compromise the project, he admitted some of the violence was too extreme, encouraging him to dial back the brutality in certain places.
Despite those concerns, the studio gave McKay quite a lot of leeway, letting him push the gore and practical effects, then adjusted them if needed.