There aren’t that many genres that can claim to have as many genre-reinventing movies as horror movies. Whether it’s through practical effects or by giving a more modern version of a tried and true classic, there’s probably been an iconic horror movie every few years or so. And while horror movies are all about making the viewer feel somewhat uncomfortable, some of them weren’t exactly comfortable to make either.
Let’s take a look at some horror movies where the horror started before the cameras were rolling.
The Lighthouse (2019)
If you’re going to be filming a movie in Nova Scotia, you should probably be ready to deal with the cold. Even the crew, who were Nova Scotia natives, admitted that the shoot was very challenging. The added stress and tension from the unusual environment added to the overall tone of the movie, though.
Frankenstein (1931)
Boris Karloff truly suffered to make Frankenstein the movie it is today. Despite the movie’s being nearly 100 years old, it’s still the best Frankenstein portrayal ever done. Karloff had to endure a 25-hour shoot for it, wore a 48-pound costume, and repeatedly had to carry actual Colin Clive up a hill instead of using a dummy. Filming this movie inspired Karloff to found the Screen Actors Guild in 1933.
The Exorcist (1973)
While there were rumors of the film set itself being cursed, that was just a huge marketing ploy. The biggest nightmare in making this movie was the director itself. William Friedkin was supposedly one of the biggest schizophrenics you can find in the business, switching from nice to borderline venomous at the drop of a dime. He would also repeatedly fire and rehire crew members and randomly fire guns to startle people.
