I'm often inspired by random things and recently came up with a world about reality ending in a hilarious but horrifying fashion. I know horror comedy is a genre but was wondering how hard it is to write that type of story before I invest my time further into this idea. I'm imagining it to be a little difficult due to balancing funniness and creepiness factors.
Any advice is much appreciated.
Posted Oct 20, 2019, 4:16 PM UTC
They’re probably the two most difficult genres to write on their own.
I see. Did not know that, starting to lean on shelving this idea for now. Thanks for your help.
One big problem with writing horror-comedy is in balancing the tone. It's a lot easier to write a horror movie that has some comedic moments to break tension or a comedy with a few jump scares then it is to write a film that balances true horror with true comedy.
This becomes even more of a problem with novels since the added time to read gives the audience time to cool down and think about things. You can't control when a reader will take a break. A short story might be better since a reader can theoretically read it in a single sitting.
Try watching Cabin in the Woods (2011). This is a legitimate horror film that is built on twists, but it goes off the rails so spectacularly by the end that it becomes comedic.
Other lesser-known films that find a good balance are: Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015), more comedic, but does have some true scares; Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010), also on the over-the-top leaning towards comedic side; Slither (2006), lots of body horror and general creepiness; An American Werewolf in London (1981), closer to a straight horror film with a few tongue in cheek or dark comedy moments; and Night of the Creeps (1986), closer to a dark science fiction film with light moments.
Slapstick deaths are pretty uh. Funny.
Like yeah you're running from a killer but then the person turns and SLAMS into a wall and just collapses. Like. Irony lmao.
Or uh...the characters keeping up casual conversations while paranormal things happen.
"Daaaad my blanket is floating!"
"Hi blanket, I'm Dad!"
"*groans*"
Shaun of the Dead yes is very good. Zombieland is comedic to me, even with the 'awkwardness' of the characters. Makes it real (like when Columbus laughs nervously or does the 'you know, ah, because...' part where you try to explain a joke lol)
I've never tried, but the TV works of Pemberton and Shearsmith might be good starting points: The League of Gentlemen, Psychoville, and Inside No. 9.
Watch Shaun of the Dead (I'm sure you have). I don't have any perfect advice, but the main idea is simple. Your world is scary, the character's reactions to it are humorous.
Or, what more difficult to pull off is something like Ghostbusters. Where the world is serious, the characters are serious about what they're doing, yet, it's funny, because of the oddness of the situations, and again because of the way the characters deal with their world.
Good to know, thanks.