Oh look, a can of worms!

[hells_half_acre]

I've had debates on this journal before about misogyny in Supernatural (and horror in general), and I'm not really asking for another one...but I thought I would point out that Joey Comeau has a great blog-post up at his horror-movie review blog: into survival.

Is there a place for rape in horror? The Hills Have Eyes 2006

In it he contrasts the rape

Comments

[mymuseandi]

I haven't actually watched the two movies that he was talking about, but one of the commenters was talking about Shutter, which I have seen, and the rape scene that he mentioned serves as a twist to the plot. I won't give anything away, but it was pretty horrifying for me to watch.

I'm not exactly firing all cylinders right now, but what scenes in SPN were being objected to? Sam/Ruby? Or Dean/Anna? Because i can't think of any other scenes.

[hells_half_acre]

I don't think anyone objected to Dean/Anna.

I know people objected to Sam/Ruby, because they felt that even when empty, Ruby's body still counted as an innocent girl...though, I objected to it the other way - in that I felt it was Sam who was raped in that scene in 4x09 (though, I didn't object to it being depicted, I was just horrified for poor Sammy...I realize I'm in the minority on this for some reason. I guess I'm more sensitive to emotionally-manipulative rape rather than violent rape.)

I think the most recent thing that offended some of my flist was the scene in Caged Heat when 'Meg' was being tortured - not quite rape, but very similar, especially on how you interpreted what 'Christian' was doing with that knife.

Also, just in general, people have objected to the more sexual aspect to the assault on female characters in the show - the only example I can think of right now is that ghost molesting Jo in No Exit, but I guess there were more? (I'm not exactly firing on all cylinders either.)

[duowolf]

Is it bad that I can't even remember there being a rape scene in The Hills Have Eyes.

That said I can't actully rember the last movie I watched that had a rape scene in it fullstop and I watch a lot of movies and mostly horror/crime ones at that.

[hells_half_acre]

Yeah, I can't remember one either - though, I figured it was just because I don't watch horror movies. (Supernatural is as close to horror as I can get).

That being said, I know a couple of movies where rape sets up the plot...last house on the left...I spit on your grave... I didn't see the Hills Have Eyes, but I figure probably what Joey takes exception to is that fact that the rape scene probably IS forgettable and superficial, and not important - so why have it? Especially given the fact that having any sort of sexual assault scene runs the risk of alienating or doing harm to the audience.

Wow...sorry, got rambley. Anyway...yeah, I don't watch horror. I used to watch crime shows, but much like Dean, I got sick of them. So, I can't remember the last movie/show I watched with a rape scene either.

[duowolf]

The thing with last house on the left and espically I spit on your grave(orginals and remakes) is that they are movies about the victem getting revenge on the people that have hurt them in such a way and as such wouldn't make as much sense without the rape.

You might be right about the hills have eyes it was a long time ago that I saw it and I've really forgotten almost everything that happened in it.

I love crime shows but the ones I watch most deal with murder rather then other crimes and as you might be able to guess I love horror movies as well. :)

[hells_half_acre]

Yes, sorry, that's what I meant when I said that the rape scene was important to the plot...or whatever words I used. I meant that the movie hinged on the fact that there had been a rape.

I used to watch CSI a lot, but got tired of it. Though, I guess now I'm really into Sherlock and that's essentially a crime show! But yeah, despite my love for Supernatural, I can't watch horror movies...they are far too scary.

[marlowe78]

This was a good link, I liked his thoughts on the subject. Thanks for that

[hells_half_acre]

I'm with you on the Saw and Hostel movies...I can't watch them. Well, in general, I can't watch any horror (I've never seen sleepers)...but I don't like seeing things like that. My imagination is bad enough without other people possibly making it worse.

The scene of Meg!Sam molesting Jo in BUABS was very effective, I thought, because at that point we (like Jo) didn't know that Sam was possessed...so it was horrifying because we didn't know what the hell was wrong with Sam...or at least, that's why it was horrifying for *me*. But yeah, the scene with Meg in S6 was a little pointless, they could have made the torture less sexual and still accomplished what they wanted with the scene.

But yeah...interesting stuff, anyway.

And I agree - All dogs go to heaven is creepy when you have pets. I watch at a friend's place and she has two cats who frequently sit there and stare at us unblinkingly while we watch Supernatural...I remember it being extra creepy that night ;)

[marlowe78]

Duuude, you don't know Sleepers?
It's not horror, and even though I spoiled you about some very important issues, it's an awesome, awesome movie that focuses not so much on the hurt but more on the revenge. And no, it's not a bloody revenge, a great, smart revenge.

You should watch that movie! I swear, we don't SEE anything. And you can do as me, hide your eyes.

[hells_half_acre]

Ok *shrug* ...I'll make a mental note of it. But, that being said, I haven't been watching many movies lately...just haven't been in the mood.

Actually, a friend loaned me Lars and the Real Girl back in September and I have yet to watch it. I really should. She probably wants it back at some point :P