Exploring the connection between the living and the spirits, horror films often depict dolls as sinister characters on screen.
Haunting Dolls
In cinema, dolls symbolize various meanings. In horror films, due to their human-like appearance, dolls often represent haunting spirits, typically serving as vessels for malevolent forces. Iconic dolls like Chucky (from the Child’s Play series), Annabelle (from The Conjuring universe), Billy (from Dead Silence), and Bill/Jigsaw (from Saw) have terrified audiences and left lasting impressions in the genre.
Particularly, the doll Annabelle, with its haunting gaze and sinister appearance, evokes fear rooted in the real-life controversy surrounding this cursed object. Following the success of The Conjuring, Annabelle became a new symbol within the horror genre. The film Annabelle: Creation (2017) delves into the origin of this cursed doll, showcasing a girl named Annabelle Higgins who tragically lost her parents and formed a bond with the doll, which housed a malevolent spirit.
Mirrors
Films like Oculus (2013), Mirrors (2008), and Into the Mirror (2003) have made many viewers apprehensive about looking into mirrors. Mirrors often serve as portals to alternate realities, where characters see distorted reflections or even glimpse into the supernatural.
Among these, Oculus, directed by Mike Flanagan, is particularly notable. The story follows siblings Kaylie and Timmy, who confront the traumatic events surrounding their parents’ deaths linked to a cursed mirror. Kaylie believes in the supernatural influence of the mirror and seeks to unravel its mysteries, only to find themselves ensnared by its dark power.
The Red Door
When discussing the Insidious franchise, created by Leigh Whannell and James Wan, the concept of the red door immediately comes to mind. The series, consisting of five films, revolves around the Lambert family and their encounters with malevolent entities. The first two films focus on Dalton Lambert, who possesses the ability to astral project into a realm called The Further, encountering terrifying spirits along the way. The latest installment, Insidious: The Red Door, released in 2023, revisits the haunting experiences of Dalton as he confronts the shadows of his past.
The red door serves as a symbolic entry point into the unknown, filled with the terrors of the supernatural. Each door leads to new and terrifying encounters, challenging the characters and audiences alike.
The Haunted Hand
This August, the continuation of the creepy doll, mirror, and haunted door themes takes a new turn with the release of Talk to Me, featuring a haunted hand as a central element. This film explores a group of friends who discover a mysterious hand that allows them to communicate with spirits. However, they soon find themselves trapped in a terrifying game with dire consequences.
Talk to Me is a gripping horror film from A24, contributing to the rising trend of high-quality horror cinema. The film has already received critical acclaim, boasting a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the most highly-rated horror films of 2023.
Talk to Me is currently screening in theaters.
