Horror Lingo 101: Sequels, Prequels, and Requels
Picture this: you’re walking through a bar, about to grab a drink and head back to the booth where a couple of friends are waiting for you.
You’re about to flag the bartender down when you hear from a nearby table:
“...naw, I haven’t really tried watching it. I’ve been too stuck on these New French Extremity films.”
What the fuck is a New French Extremity film?
Whether you’re new to the horror scene, or maybe a bit late on the latest fads, it’s easy to get lost in some of the terms that get thrown around.
Don’t be fooled- nobody knows everything about the horror game. With all the sub-genres, niches, and horror adjacent stuff out there, it’s easy to not know what a term might be.
Let’s take a quick look at a couple horror terms you might stumble across:
Sequels, Prequels, and Requels: Sequels and prequels are pretty straightforward, and pretty common in the horror scene.
A sequel is a continuation of a previous movie or story, sometimes involving the same characters or setting.
Examples: Scream 2, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2, Aliens, most moviese with a 2 after it
A prequel is the telling of what happens before an initial movie or story takes place. Prequels often build up the background or influence that shaped a character before the initial story or movie takes place.
Examples: Pearl (2022), The Thing (2011), Prey (2022), Annabelle: Creation
A “re-done sequel,” or a requel, is a sequel or related entry to a series that often neglects to acknowledge most of the existing entries. It often only ties back to the original source of the franchise, and can be an attempt to fix a failing franchise by re-aligning back to the source.
Examples: Halloween (2018), Jeepers Creepers: Reborn, Candyman (2021), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Note: Though Scream (2022), though the plot revolves around the idea of a requel, is not a requel itself. It might introduce some new characters and loop in some legacy characters, the movie still involves parts from the existing sequels. If you disagree, feel free to fight me outside about it.
New French Extremity: New French Extremity, or New Extermity, is a label used for film movement thats originated in the late 90’s and continues to present day. The films are known for pushing the lines for viewers, including graphic scenes of violence and sex. The movement originated in France and Europe, and people often linked to the movement include Gaspar Noe, Lars Von Trier, Claire Denis, and others.
Examples: A Serbian Film, Antichrist, Irreversible, Climax, Trouble Every Day
Giallo: Giallo is a subgenre in horror that is often centered around a murdery mystery, or a whodunnit.The films can also contain slasher tropes, psychological horrors, and even some supernatural elements. The name comes from the Italian word “giallo” , which means yellow, and was named after the yellow-bound mystery novels that shaped the film genre.
Examples: Suspiria (1977), A Bay of Blood, Malignant, Berberian Sound Studio
Necronomicon: The Necronomicon, also known as the Book of the Dead, is a fictional book referenced throughout horror history. It’s rumored to contain the laws of the dead or underworld, as well as magical spells and ways to summon other-world beings.
Examples: H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Hound,” Evil Dead (1981), Jason Goes to Hell
Elevated horror: Elevated horror refers to a newer subgenre in horror that relies on the story telling and different parts of the film to force the viewer to think on a different level. The films can range in content and message, but often are social commentaries. It can be considered a faux pas in some horror circles to enjoy or mention “elevated.” But fuck that noise.
Examples: It Follows, The VVitch, Hereditary, Get Out