[Editorial] Soul Destroying Sunday: Manipulation and Human Choice

The weekend has come and passed once again, and we would love for it to be a cosy Sunday on the sofa again. But we only have to get through another horrific week of work before we can relax and reset once more, and what better way to prepare yourself for the upcoming Sunday with a list of films that are a little soul-destroying? And you’re in the right place for that information.

I don’t know about you but there is something strangely cathartic in watching depressing films on a Sunday, and although they say we should look to cheer ourselves up because we get a case of the ‘Sunday scaries’ - I think there’s nothing better than indulging in our emotions. Which is why I’m bringing you another three films that are going to leave you feeling like you need to watch Monsters Inc on repeat to get away from the feeling of existential crisis. 

This week I have chosen three films that can loosely be connected by their look at manipulation and removing a human’s choice. It is a pretty dark topic to be covering, and might be slightly triggering for certain people so I do advise that you only read ahead if this is a subject you are comfortable with. Manipulation in film is an often used trope to get people to do things they don’t want to, and therefore abolishing the choice they should have as a human that lives in the world. These three films look at what happens when humans are put into uncontrollable situations with false or wrong information that therefore affects either the limited choices they have or completely removes said choice from the question. 

Although not necessarily all completely classed as horror films, I think you will agree that they hold these similarities and if paired like fine wine and cheese, do create a foreboding sense of horror.

The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
Dir. Kyle Patrick Alvarez

Based on the real events which occurred in the summer of 1971 at Stanford University, in which a role-play simulation was put into place to monitor the effects of what happens when a group of men are taken and given the roles of prison officer and prisoner. The purpose of the experiment was to monitor the human condition and was conducted under the supposedly watchful eye of psychology professor Philip Zimbardo. 

As detailed in the film, the experiment itself was deeply flawed and not regulated in any means whatsoever. Zimbardo allowed the participants to do as they pleased which led to horrific humiliation and violence of the prisoners by the guards, who were not reprimanded when they stepped out of line and went beyond how they were supposed to treat the prisoners. The men who were ‘prisoners’ were psychologically affected and started having breakdowns whilst inside the experiment. The film cohesively details the experiment and is very thought-provoking. 

Compliance (2021)
Dir. Craig Zobel

Another film based on a true story that will once again line your stomach with dread that something so awful could happen to one person. Compliance is based on a strip search phone call scam that started in about the year 1992 and continued for over 12 years, with incidents taking place across the years throughout rural areas in the United States. As seen in the film, an unknown caller posing to be a police officer would call a restaurant or gas station and give instructions to the staff there to conduct a strip search on one of their female employees. 

Whilst it sounds impossible that it could happen, the techniques of manipulation were convincing and as seen in Zobel’s film, lean heavily on tapping into human’s nature to follow orders when they believe they are from someone with authority. The film is a devastating account of one young girl who is the subject of abuse at the hands of her manager, colleagues and her manager’s boyfriend. The film is a difficult one to watch and serves as a reminder that we are conditioned to believe in authority, but shouldn’t necessarily always do so. 

Silent Night (2021)
Dir. Camille Griffin

Fortunately this film isn’t based on a true story, which will have you exhaling with relief otherwise we truly would be fucked. Also, it might seem a strange time to be watching what is essentially a Christmas film, however, considering the tone and topic of the film it could be watched at any time of the year. It is the most wonderful time of the year and one English family has invited their extended family and friends to spend the festive day with them, however, we quickly learn that it is humanity’s last day on Earth as a toxic dust cloud is approaching to destroy the world. 

Horror fans were truly taken aback by this film as from the posters and marketing, it did look a little bit shit. But this is a bleak and very dark portrayal of impending doom, something which has felt very resonating amidst the fact we are still in a global pandemic. What is most interesting about Silent Night is the film's look at human choice and what happens when we feel we do not have a choice other than the one that has been given to us. Roman Griffin Davis as Art is outstanding and plays the only character within the film that truly understands we always have a choice, and that’s the most important part of being human. This film will really break your heart.

RELATED ARTICLES

---

---

GHOULS GANG DISCOUNTED SHOP

---

EXPLORE

---

MORE ARTICLES

---

---