maggiesmediastudythoughts

[maggiesmediastudythoughts]

Scary Movies commentary on horror medias stereotypes

The 2000s hit Scary Movie was a comedy horror that poked fun at the constant cliches found within the genre while delivering it in a comedic and entertaining way that allowed for certain conversations to be had about the cliches found in our favourite spooky movies. In specific it mainly focuses in on the exaggerated stereo typing that non-white character’s face, as well as the over sexualization of young teens within the genre. It brings these topics to light by displaying them in an extreme and often comical way that initially comes across as a simple joke or a funny nod to a past horror movie classic. But when further analyzed, it really showcases what topics the horror genre and media as a whole has fallen short with displaying.

Although racial stereotypes are no stranger to film, horror movies are notoriously bad for having the token black character that commonly meets a less than fortunate fate. Actor Regina Hall plays the character of Brenda Meeks in Scary Movie, and her character really embodies the stereotypes often put on the token black character. Especially in recent years there has been lots of conversation specifically regarding the way that the media portrays the “agressive black woman.” Brenda's character as a whole is sassy and very outspoken when it comes to her opinions on what's going around her. During the film there are multiple occasions where she becomes the butt of a joke as she makes comments or questionable decisions such as the extreme way she acts in the movie theatre as she goes to see a movie. A scene in specific really exaggerate the stereotypes placed on her as she is “sassy” and “disruptive” during the film. Clearly her character is written in a very exaggerated and satirical way that really showcases and brings to light the way that people of colour specifically black women are often portrayed in film media. Often being boiled down to the sassy best friend or comedic relief character. The way she’s written in Scary Movie gets people thinking and talking about how although sometimes characters being exaggerated can be great comedic relief, it's important to ensure that you are not negatively stereotyping them as that just ends up causing more harm. 

The scary movie films also poke fun and help bring up the conversation surrounding the over sexualization of teenagers (specifically teenage girls) in horror films. Often horror films portray young hypersexual teenagers whose own desire ends up blinding them towards the oncoming danger and Scary Movie is no different from this. When looking at Cindy and bobby's relationship it's very clear that they have different views as Bobby is portrayed as a mysterious bad boy in Cindy is a young, naive and clueless girl who trusts blindly. Once Bobby sneaks into Cindy’s room the scene that follows is anything but PG13. This strange fascination with over sexualization can be seen so often in horror even during violent death scenes and Scary Movie pokes fun at this as well with its opening scene that shows a woman being actively pursued by a murderer as she is stripped of her clothes and stabbed in the breast. Both of these scenes in the movie are satirical and downright outrageous but they bring up a good point about how this over sexualization of women in characters as a whole often does go too far and scary movies usage of crude jokes and uncomfortable teenage interactions really show that. 

Overall, in my opinion I definitely feel like not only the 1st Scary Movie but the whole Scary Movie franchise does a great job at exaggerating and bringing to light the stereotypes found within the horror genre. This allows for conversations to be had about what is and isn't acceptable to be portrayed in the horror genre. It allows for conversations to be had on proper ways to display diversity, as well as the harmful effects that negative stereotypes have on communities, alongside the conversation surrounding the over sexualization of women and people in general within media. I believe that these are very important topics that need to be discussed in the Scary Movie franchise opens up these discussions in a comedic and less confrontational way. Although sometimes uncomfortable these conversations need to be had as they are what drive change.