The Mind-Bending Nightmare You Never Knew Existed: Unveiling The Dark Secrets of This Overlooked Clive Barker Masterpiece

The torture horror craze first gained momentum in the early 2000s with the release of Leigh Whannell and James Wan's Saw. This surprise hit not only spawned nine sequels but also paved the way for numerous competitors in the genre. While some may dismiss it as mindless violence, torture horror offers a distinct appeal that sets it apart from other subgenres. One often overlooked entry in this fading trend, Dread, seems to grasp this appeal on a deeper level compared to its counterparts.

The immense body of work by Clive Barker has had a profound influence on the horror genre. One could argue that he deserves some credit for the emergence of the torture horror craze, as his Hellraiser series introduced and perfected many of its defining elements. Included in his second Books of Blood anthology, Barker's short story "Dread" stands as a testament to his skill. This collection also unleashed "The Midnight Meat Train" upon the world and introduced his occult detective character, Harry D'Amour.

What is Dread about?

Stephen, a cinema student at a small college, is in search of a captivating final project. He is somewhat of an outsider, possessing sensitivity, kindness, and artistic skills. One evening, he crosses paths with Quaid, another student, who comes across as polite but strangely off-putting. Stephen quickly becomes fascinated with Quaid's intellectually demanding personality.

Quaid, fixated on fear, suggests a joint final project for himself and Stephen - a fear study. Their objective is to interview their peers about their deepest fears. Interestingly, both Stephen and Quaid have personal experiences with childhood trauma that have left them with debilitating phobias, making them not just interviewers, but also subjects.

Quaid's intense fear stems from witnessing his parents being brutally murdered by an ax murderer when he was only six years old. This horrifying incident has engulfed his existence, compelling him to explore primal terror in others as a means to comprehend his own plight. On the other hand, Stephen's fear was born from the tragic death of his brother in a drunk driving accident, leading him to abstain from driving altogether. Another individual they encounter is Cheryl, who experiences overwhelming nausea at the sight of meat due to being molested by her father, who worked at a meat packing plant. Additionally, they meet Joshua, who harbors a profound fear of losing his hearing again after a childhood accident rendered him temporarily deaf. Lastly, they interview Abby, who is consumed by fear of others seeing a dark birthmark that covers half of her body.

However, Quaid's dissatisfaction with merely hearing about others' fears takes a sinister turn. He intends to expose each subject to their worst nightmare, one by one. As the true purpose of the study is unveiled, Stephen is faced with a daunting challenge - he must summon the courage to confront his own fear and put an end to the monster he has unintentionally unleashed.

Who directed Dread?

Dread, directed by Anthony DiBlasi, is a film adaptation of Clive Barker's source material. DiBlasi, known for his talent in the horror genre, made his directorial debut with this project after working as an intern for Barker and later becoming a producer on adaptations of his work. In addition to Dread, DiBlasi has had notable success with his films Last Shift in 2014 and Extremity in 2018. Recently, he took his own film Last Shift and reimagined it as Malum, giving it a fresh direction and an upgraded budget.

Dread remains faithful to the original material while also adding its own distinct touch. The film changes the ending, introduces new characters, and adopts a darker tone. Unlike many of the stories in Books of Blood, which often incorporate elements of dark comedy or absurdism, Dread takes a more grounded and harsh approach. It removes humor and replaces it with cynicism, offering a different interpretation of the story. Unlike The Midnight Meat Train, which expands the original story into a feature-length narrative, Dread takes a new angle on the source material.

How does Dread end?

Quaid abducts Cheryl, chaining her to a radiator. Her only sustenance is a well-cooked steak, forcing her to confront her aversion to meat or face starvation. Furthermore, Quaid abducts Joshua and uses a firearm to damage his eardrums, rendering him deaf. In addition, Quaid manipulates Abby by seducing her, secretly filming her undressing, and exposing her birthmark to the entire college. The immense shame Abby experiences leads her to submerge herself in a tub filled with bleach and scrub her skin with steel wool. Eventually, Stephen comes across Abby and learns about Quaid's despicable actions. After promptly taking her to a hospital, Stephen grabs a fire ax and embarks on a pursuit to apprehend Quaid. Despite the deterioration, Cheryl consumes the decaying meat that sustained her during her captivity. Consequently, Joshua spots Stephen and assumes he is still colluding with Quaid, causing him to follow him.

Stephen initiates an attack on Quaid, evoking painful memories of his parents' murder. However, Quaid manages to conquer his fear and incapacitates Stephen. When Stephen regains consciousness, he finds himself restrained on a chair. Although he manages to escape, Joshua stabs him with the fire ax. In a volatile turn of events, Quaid shoots and kills Joshua. Subsequently, Quaid opens the door to Cheryl's confinement and leaves Stephen's lifeless body with her. Furthermore, he hands her a pocket knife, intrigued by how long it will take her to devour him.

Dread exudes the somber atmosphere commonly seen in torture horror movies, yet it possesses a level of intelligence often lacking in others. Those who enjoy Saw or Hostel may not discover the same intricacy in its elaborate devices or storyline, but its straightforwardness enhances its impact. Dread instills fear while simultaneously captivating the intellect, and its director successfully encapsulates the essence of its source material.