The Dark Hunger: Stephen King Unveils the Alarming Rise of Cannibal Movies & Shows
Stephen King delves into the rise of cannibal movies and shows, uncovering a compelling theory that traces it all back to a single influential film Explore the current state of cannibalism in modern entertainment
Summary
Prolific horror author Stephen King comments on the popularity of cannibalism stories in movies and TV, saying it all goes back to George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead.
King believes that cannibalism is one of the few remaining taboos, which is why it continues to hold fascination in contemporary popular culture. In recent years, there has been a surge in cannibalism narratives, such as The Walking Dead, Hannibal, Fresh, Bones and All, and Army of the Dead.
Stephen King, the renowned author of popular horror novels such as Carrie, The Shining, It, Misery, and Pet Sematary, shares his views on the surge in popularity of cannibalism narratives in movies and TV. King, known for his prolific writing career, has had numerous adaptations of his books, with the recent addition being The Boogeyman.
During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, King discusses his latest book, Holly, and also provides insights into modern storytelling trends. When questioned about the abundance of cannibalism stories in recent times, King offers an intriguing theory on why this concept has captivated both audiences and storytellers. Read his comment below:
The State Of Cannibalism In Modern Movies & TV
I believe it to be one of society's last remaining taboos. What captivates us about the various entities crafted by George Romero, particularly the zombies and their insatiable hunger for human flesh, is the realization that this is the darkest concept we can fathom.
The phenomenon of cannibalism has long captivated audiences, with Romero's Night of the Living Dead being a significant catalyst for this trend in 1968. Often, cannibalism serves as a metaphor for deeper issues, as exemplified by Night of the Living Dead's zombies addressing social, racial, and economic concerns of the 1960s. On other occasions, it is utilized primarily for its shock value, as seen in the case of 1980's Cannibal Holocaust.
The zombie trend falls under the umbrella of cannibal storytelling. AMC's The Walking Dead had a significant impact, but its popularity has decreased over time. However, Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead was a success on Netflix, potentially leading to sequels.
Outside of zombie cannibalism, there are numerous options for viewers. NBC's Hannibal had a dark tone during its three seasons, while Fresh took a more comedic approach and Bones and All focused on romance. Although cannibalism is primarily associated with horror, new stories are exploring the concept in fresh and exciting ways, adding intensity to traditional tales.
Source: Rolling Stone
