[Editorial] Lady Macbeth (2016): An Unconventional Horror Film

"It's only a movie, only a movie, only a movie..." - The Last House on the Left (1972)

In this case, it's not.

Florence Pugh in the role of 'Katherine' in William Oldroyd's, 'Lady Macbeth' (2016)

Film genres are reliant on certain signs, symbols and narrative motifs to define them. In regards to the horror genre, I am a firm believer that horror films do not have to stick to their iconographies and conventions to be successful. Genres are fluid and a successful horror film has the ability to bleed into other genres and escape its expectations to form something special. 

Defining a horror film should incorporate the audience’s emotional reception of that film. In doing so, one can gain a different interpretation of a moving picture. Additionally, it can open an in depth discussion regarding the viewer’s life experiences, perspectives, fears and feelings as I believe that these factors contribute to the way an audience member reacts to media. Therefore, indicating to me horror can be (and is) a subjective film genre.

For instance, in regards to Ari Aster’s latest film, Midsommar (2019), received a mixed recpetion. Some viewers saw it as a cliché horror film while others saw it as commentary on an abusive relationship and the 'cult' are the - sort of - good people.

The 'No Film School' website states that the purpose and primary goal of the horror genre is to "create feelings of fear, dread, disgust, and terror in the audience" and to "develop an atmosphere that puts the audience on edge and scares them". 

If we were to base the macabre centric genre on its emotive definition, then Lady Macbeth (2016) can be classified as a horror film as it evoked 'fear, dread, disgust and terror' within me. 

Here is why.

What immediately left me feeling an intense sense of fear and dread was the first time we see Katherine and her husband interact with one another. The opening sequence reveals that a female is getting married. Once the ceremony finished, silence follows until a maid asks if she is nervous for her wedding night. Katherine’s body language and tone of voice screams that she is nervous, uncomfortable and scared of what is to come and what is expected of her. This acknowledgement of her behaviour is solidified when Katherine and her husband share the screen together in the next scene. The bed divides them as they share an air of awkwardness between them. Katherine attempts to communicate via rambles with her husband which is a clear sign of anxiety but her husband ignores her and demands she remove her clothing. Instantly, she expresses fear in her eyes but after her husband assertively repeats himself, she listens to him and exposes herself. It is clear that she does not want to engage with her husband sexually but she feels obligated to him. This evoked feelings of fear, dread, disgust, and terror within me as the scene was alluding to the notion that they would engage in non-consensual intercourse. 

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Another moment which left me feeling an intense sense of disgust was as we discovered that Katherine’s husband was having an affair. After Katherine and her lover, Sebastian, orchestrate the 'disappearance' of her husband, (Katherine brutally murders him) a middle aged woman presents herself at her home. She confidently and calmly states that Katherine’s 'missing' husband had been sleeping with her daughter and a son came from this. Katherine is adamant that there "must be a mistake" but the older female offers her a false apology to settle her shock. Almost immediately, the child and his grandmother take over Katherine’s home. This enrages Katherine and so, her downfall spirals further.

The beginning of Katherine's undoing

A third scene that sparked “fear, dread, disgust, and terror” within me was the closing scene as it highlights that the film is also very much about Anna - Katherine's maid - as much as it is Katherine’s story. The first time we meet Sebastian, Anna is naked and strung up to the ceiling. This clearly traumatises her as she is seen crying and is ashamed to look at Katherine in the following scene. Sadly, Katherine ignores Anna's clearly distressed mannerism and simply asks her what Sebastian's name is. Additionally, Anna flinches, displaying fear in her eyes and moving away every time Sebastian is near. This indicates that he was the one in charge of humiliating her. Moreover, there is a brief moment in the film where Katherine attempts to get to know Anna. From this brief conversation, we learn that she has not seen her family in a long time and is far away from home. This establishes that she is on her own which makes her story - to me - more horrifying as she has no one to defend or support her. Upon acknowledging this, it makes the ending far more gut wrenching when Katherine pins her murders on Anna who is then killed for Katherine's crimes.

There are multiple reasons why this film evokes “fear, dread, disgust and terror” within me. 

The Closing Shot of Lady Macbeth: Katherine has Negatively Transcended her Humanity

Firstly, Katherine is viewed as a transaction whose purpose is to serve her husband however he sees fit, even if she does not want to. Secondly, Katherine's mental decline – influenced by her repression and oppression – transforms her into a murderer who kills anyone in her way of freedom, even children. Thirdly, her husband’s hypocritical nature. While he verbally tortures her for sleeping with another man, he has been sleeping with another woman for years. Lastly, Katherine purposely utilises her social class to leave Anna powerless.  

More poignantly, this film made me reflect on society, both past and present. I found myself realising that in certain parts of the world, issues of feminism, classism and child welfare are rife. I found myself realising that in certain part of the world, issues of feminism, classism and child welfare are rife. In certain countries, women lack their basic freedoms which mimic the restrictions that are cruelly placed upon Katherine in the film. Not only this, but arranged child marriages and bride kidnapping are still rife within countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Niger, and still actively practised, showing that these issues are still prevalent in today's society.

Defining a horror film should not rely on executing conventions or iconographies correctly. It should also consider the emotional response it triggers in the audience. A successful horror film explores the horrors that have or are happening in society. They also dive into the minds of the characters in a way that leaves you exhausted, terrified and disgusted. Lady Macbeth is that horror film. It is a film set in the 19th century that opens doors for discussions regarding past feminism but most importantly, present feminism through its horrific depiction of Katherine's mental decline and her environment. The film is disgusting, terrifying and filled with dread that exceeds its diegetic world and for that reason, I classify Lady Macbeth as an unconventional horror film.

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