Unveiling the Terrifying Secrets of Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban: Is It Truly a Horror Movie?

Summary

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is considered a horror film by director Alfonso Cuarón due to its darker tone and horror elements.

The shift in tone in the film signifies the protagonist's transition into adulthood and establishes the overall mood for the entire series. Despite being a fantasy film suitable for families, the incorporation of dementors, werewolves, and a haunted building introduces certain elements of horror into the movie.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuarón was recently interviewed by Total Film (via GamesRadar), where he discussed whether the film could be considered a horror movie. According to Cuarón, he believes that it is "definitely" a horror film, citing its incorporation of horror elements inspired by filmmakers like Fritz Lang and F.W. Murnau. Here are Cuarón's complete remarks:

Certainly! When I read the book, I was drawn to two distinct elements: the horror film aspect and the noir undertones. As I worked on it, I was influenced by the German cinema of the silent era and the transition into talkies, similar to the styles of Fritz Lang and Murnau. It's interesting to note that some of Fritz Lang's films have a noir feel with elements of horror. What sets Fritz Lang apart is his ability to use the genre to convey and project the anxieties of his time. I believe that J.K. Rowling's work with Potter similarly reflects our current era and human behavior.

Is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban A Horror Movie?

While The Prisoner of Azkaban may not be classified explicitly as a horror film, it does possess distinct elements that contribute to a darker and more unsettling tone. This shift in atmosphere, in comparison to the previous lightheartedness established by Columbus in the franchise's initial two films, serves as a representation of the main characters' journey toward maturity and entrance into adulthood. This change in tone sets the stage for the entire series and subsequent installments directed by David Yates.

Notwithstanding its departure from traditional horror, Prisoner of Azkaban incorporates certain elements of the genre, as mentioned by Cuarón. It introduces the ominous and menacing dementors who serve as guards at Azkaban Prison, as well as Professor Remus Lupin, who harbors a secret as a predatory werewolf. The majority of the film's climax unfurls within the eerie and reputedly haunted Shrieking Shack. Although still maintaining its family-friendly nature as a fantasy film, it is evident why Cuarón classifies Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as a work with horror undertones.

Source: Total Film (via GamesRadar)