10 Exact Moments That Changed The Horror Movie Genre Forever
3. Night Of The Living Dead -
George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead shook up the horror industry upon being released in 1968. In a movie littered with stunning moments of dread, though, one particular part that signified a change in the genre was the opening act where brother and sister duo Johnny and Barbara are attacked by zombies as they visit their father’s gravesite.
That moment where Barbara runs out of the graveyard is hugely significant both in a narrative and very real sense. Narrative-wise, of course, it saw Barbara running for her life and eventually taking residence in a nearby farmhouse for the rest of the movie.
In real life, the significance of this moment was in the visual representation shown by Romero’s keen eye. The opening sequence in the graveyard was full of the sort of gothic charm and erratic behaviour that was so synonymous with what the horror genre had been famous for – channelling the feel and tone of a classic Universal monster movie or even a crazed Hammer Horror offering – and the character of Barbara leaves this behind as she runs to pastures new.
From there, Night of the Living Dead changed the horror game in a way not seen since Alfred Hitchcock in his pomp. Not camp, not delivered with a nod and a wink, and not overly reliant on a classic “ye olde” setting. Romero’s film was serious, was brimming with genuine terror, touched on the impact of the Vietnam War, and even looked to break down racial barriers by featuring Duane Jones as one of its two leads.
Not only did this '68 classic usher in the zombie subgenre of horror, it also shocked audiences by showing that there isn't always a happy ending waiting at the end of such films.