Compare Contrast Two Classic Horror Films Essay

The Shining vs. The ExorcistThe Shining and The Exorcist are both horror classics that have terrified audiences for decades. Both films are masterpieces of suspense and tension, with scenes that will stay with viewers long after they\'ve left the theater. However, each film is also unique in its own way. The Shining is a classic real-world horror story in which the terror grows both from a real fear of domestic violence and the influence of ghosts. It is characterized by a slow build up of tension that culminates in a series of shocking and terrifying scenes. The Exorcist, on the other hand, is a more relentless and graphic film, that explores what a real-world case of supernatural possession might look like. The Shining is also ostensibly about possessionbut the possession is only suggested and is never explicitly detailed; it is the suspicion of possession that makes the film so frightening, as the characters are locked away in a secluded hotel, buried in snow with no escape. The Exorcist takes place in an urban environment, where characters (aside from the explicitly possessed girl) are free to come and go as they please. Both films are essential viewing for any fan of horror, and each has earned its place as a classic of the genre.William…

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…which is why some consider his The Shining to be his best.While both The Shining and The Exorcist are considered classic horror films, they approach the genre in very different ways. The Shining is a much more atmospheric film, relying on a slow build-up of tension to create a sense of dread. In contrast, The Exorcist goes for a more direct approach, shocking viewers with graphic imagery and explicit scenes of demonic possession. Both films are effective in their own way, but The Shining stands out for its masterful use of eeriness and real-world terror (domestic violence), while The Exorcist haunts audiences by appealing to fear of the…