Horror movies have a reputation for being too dark, and it's a trend that director André Øvredal wants to change. In an exclusive interview with /Film's Jeremy Mathai, Øvredal discussed his approach to lighting and exposure in his upcoming film, "Passenger."
"Yes, I do agree," he said when asked about the phenomenon of horror films being too dark. "That's actually one thing I wanted to avoid since you asked that in a previous question, is that it becomes too dark. Because I was actually just watching a movie yesterday, and I couldn't see anything, and it was just so annoying."
Øvredal's concern with darkness is not limited to horror movies. He believes that the overall dullification of cinematography in the past few decades is a problem. This issue is not unique to horror, as evidenced by the desaturation in the "Harry Potter" TV series and studies showing a decrease in the mean luminance value of film frames over time.
To combat this, Øvredal focuses on ensuring that there is a key light source with normal exposure in the frame. He and his crew spend time discussing color grades and practical lighting, aiming to create a balance between darkness and visibility. The "Passenger" trailer, with its jump scare and night driving scenes, showcases Øvredal's attempt to achieve this balance.
However, it's important to note that trailer color grades may not accurately represent the final movie. Different colorists work on the trailer and the final cut, which can significantly impact the overall look. Despite this, Øvredal's efforts to address the darkness issue in "Passenger" are commendable, and it will be interesting to see the final result when the film is released in 2026.
In conclusion, while horror movies may have a dark reputation, directors like Øvredal are taking steps to brighten up the genre. It's a welcome change and a reminder that innovation and creativity can thrive even in the realm of horror.
