Renowned African horror screenwriter and entertainment journalist Osarfo Anthony encourages millennials who love horror movies to be mindful of the didactic elements intricately woven into the narratives.
With a strong passion for the horror genre, Osarfo challenges the belief held by some anti-horror critics that horror films depict and promote violence, dread, anxiety, and gore without any substance or relevant messages.
“The essence of horror stories is to terrify the audience,” he acknowledges, but he emphasizes that “even though they are crafted to scare, it doesn’t stop there. This misconception about horror movies is why horror films by directors like Ari Aster, Jordan Peele, and Robert Eggers are labelled as ‘elevated horror.’
For example, Peele’s horror film “Get Out” addresses systemic racism in America through metaphorical scenes. Similarly, “A Quiet Place” highlights the importance of family bonding and protection, while the classic 1978 film “I Spit on Your Grave” explores themes of poetic justice. I could go on and on. Of course, not everyone enjoys horror films, but when viewed critically, many address subjects of legitimate public interest.”
The multi-award-winning horror screenwriter further notes, “It’s unfortunate that some horror enthusiasts focus primarily on the terror. This inspires me to explore themes such as loyalty, revenge, betrayal, and racism in my scripts. I urge millennials who love horror movies to enjoy them, but pay attention to the didactic elements.”
He encourages African cinephiles to embrace the horror genre and advocates for more contributions from African filmmakers to the global horror community.
Anthony Osarfo is an award-winning supernatural horror screenwriter and entertainment journalist with nearly two decades of experience.
His supernatural horror screenplay, “The Night is Awake,” earned him a sponsored selection for the prestigious Nostos Screenwriting Retreats, an annual workshop held in the beautiful region of Tuscany, Italy. He was one of eight distinguished screenwriters chosen from around the world to participate in this intensive two-week program designed to promote collaboration and high-quality script development.
His recent achievements include an appointment as an international judge for the 2024 US Presidential Service Center (USPSC) International Film Festival, which celebrates films and series focusing on the first families, White House stories, and other narratives.
