A Match Made in Hell: Horror Movies and Casinos
Have you ever noticed that horror films are usually set in places that we associate with comfort and fun? Haunted houses, zombie-infested malls, and the open ocean that’s home to one very hungry shark, it’s almost as if they’re doing it on purpose. And maybe they are, maybe they’re using these places to subvert your expectations to produce something truly horrifying.
And while the previously mentioned examples are perfectly adequate settings for horror movies, there’s one that’s so perfect that it’s a match made in hell. Horror movies and casinos complement each other so well, as they take a place made for fun and flips it on its head — turning it into a source of a different kind of excitement. But this isn’t at all a new thing as this combination is being utilised in other mediums as well. In fact, games such as the upcoming remake of Resident Evil 3 is going to feature a casino map, emphasising how effective this combination is. This link hasn’t gone unnoticed by online game providers who have also used the genre as a way to promote their games, often using updated versions of classic titles. Foxy Games’ selection of online slots feature a number of horror-themed content like Gremlins and Jekyll & Hyde, which are considered classics of the genre. These games allow horror fans to connect and play with their favourite monsters on the move through their smartphones. Yet, for horror fans nothing quite beats watching films and there are some terrific horror films set in casinos!
Dead Man’s Hand
If you’ve seen the trailer for this underrated gem from 2011, you’ll realise that it is a throwback to the classic horror B movies of a time long gone. While this was never going to win any awards at prestigious awards shows it’s a perfectly okay horror movie with an interesting premise.
The protagonist of the film inherits a casino in Las Vegas from a deceased relative. Once there he begins to realise there may be something more insidious inhabiting the casino. It’s revealed that the casino is haunted by the spirits of the mobsters that were killed by the former owner, a reference to Vegas’ shady origins.
Leprechaun 3
If you aren’t familiar with the Leprechaun series of horror films then you may laugh at the premise of this movie. “How can a cute leprechaun be scary?” is the question you may be asking yourself, but trust us when we say that this leprechaun is in no way cute. Leprechaun 3 features the same maniacal wish-granting leprechaun from the two previous films and throws him into Sin City.
The third iteration of the film capitalises on what made the first two films so great. It’s an entertaining romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously. This doesn’t mean the horror factor is dialled down in any way, as Warwick Davis still gives a bone-chilling performance as the titular leprechaun.
Remains
Lastly, it would be an injustice to the genre if we didn’t include at least one zombie movie. Remains is a zombie horror movie set in Reno, Nevada. It’s based on a comic book written by Steve Niles who also wrote 30 Days of Night and follows survivors trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies.
What’s interesting about this film is that it explored the characters on a deeper level, revealing them to be monsters themselves as they’ve done some truly horrendous things. It’s an interesting approach to make flawed human characters in a world filled with feral zombies, as it asks whether or not humans are the real monsters.
If this article has left you wanting more horror related content, do check out our article on horror films that inspired metal videos.
