5
theory

Anyone else think "The Long Good Friday" is secretly a horror movie?

Okay, horror fiends, hear me out. I know The Long Good Friday isn't technically labeled horror, but I'm convinced it's dripping with the dread and paranoia that defines the genre. Like, forget jump scares, this is slow-burn, psychological terror. Think about it – Harold Shand (Bob Hoskins, legend) is this Cockney hardman trying to go legit, right? But someone is systematically picking apart his empire. Bombs going off, people getting offed left and right. He can't trust anyone! The paranoia is palpable, and the mystery behind who's targeting him is genuinely terrifying. What makes it even more horrific is the feeling that Harold is losing control. He's used to being the top dog, the one calling the shots. But as the film progresses, he's desperately trying to figure out who's pulling the strings, and he's failing miserably. The scene where he interrogates the priest? Chilling! He's cracking under the pressure, and that kind of powerlessness is a major horror trope if you ask me. Plus, the violence, while not gratuitous, is brutal and impactful. Like, you feel the weight of what's happening, know what I mean? And the ending?! Don't even get me started. The raw fear on Hoskins' face as he's driven away in the car... that's a final girl moment if I've ever seen one! No slasher villain, just the cold, hard reality of a bigger, nastier world swallowing him whole. That's what I really hate about the movie! I'm not sure if I can call it a horror movie just because the ending is so terrifying... Maybe it's just me, but I see The Long Good Friday as a gangster film that accidentally stumbled into horror territory. The unrelenting tension, the feeling of impending doom, and the disintegration of Harold's world all scream horror to me. Thoughts?

jessmovienerd
5 months ago
2 comments
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