10 Horror Movies That Never Left You
8. Audition
Most horror films open with a haunting prologue that gets viewers' attention immediately. Because many scary movies take their time setting up characters, dynamics, and sub-plots, this is a clever method to ensure the audience is invested from the beginning.
However, Audition does away with this strategy entirely as the movie opens with widowed teacher, Shigeharu, organising a fake audition in the hopes to find a new partner, first-timers may think they're watching a rom-com!
Half an hour in, Audition suddenly subverts all expectations. After meeting a shy girl called Asami during the "audition," Shigeharu believes she'll be a worthy bride. When he calls her, there's a shot of Asami in a barren apartment. Her phone rings, and a sack in the background suddenly contorts, while the unseen entity inside starts squealing in terror. In this moment, everyone realises they're watching something well and truly screwed up.
Over time, Shigeharu learns Asami is a deeply disturbed individual, who'll stop at nothing to be with him. When she discovers the audition was a sham, Asami vows to punish Shigeharu, by performing an act with razor wire that's not for the faint-hearted.
Because so many horror films focus on grossing out the audience straight away, it's refreshing how Audition is patient with the set-up. Not only does it give viewers more time to get to know the characters, it makes it more shocking when things get... messy.