10 Recent Horror Movies That Hooked You Instantly
1. Weapons
Few films in recent memory set up their storyline as succinctly as Zach Cregger's Weapons. Within the first few seconds, we're told that every child in one classroom inexplicably left their homes at 2:17am and vanished, save for one. This clinical statement is utterly riveting since it invokes a deep, primal fear of the unknown.
As scary as this scenario is, curiosity is sure to get the better of anyone. The mystery is simply too enticing to walk away from, urging viewers to continue watching. Not only are they compelled to learn what happened to these children, but they need to understand why one of the kids didn't disappear.
Although the narrator claims this is based on a real event, the vagueness of this story is reminiscent of a campfire tale or an urban legend, evoking a child-like fear. Rather than speaking in a sinister voice, the narrator's tone is calm and matter-of-fact about this abnormal event, creating an uneasy contrast.
The fact that this preamble is devoid of gore and jump scares also demonstrates that an enrapturing premise is all it takes to draw the audience in immediately.