In his book The Better Angels of Our Nature, psychologist Steven Pinker discussed an experiment that revealed our tendency to find patterns in random events. This clustering illusion is particularly intriguing when it comes to cursed films in cinema. Over the years, certain movies have gained a reputation for being cursed due to the tragic events that occurred during their production.
One of the most infamous examples is The Crow, a gothic superhero thriller from 1994 that saw the accidental death of its star, Brandon Lee, during filming. Various eerie incidents, such as a carpenter being electrocuted and a storm destroying parts of the set, added fuel to the rumors of a curse surrounding the film. The tragic connection to Bruce Lee, the source material inspired by real-life events, and the film’s dark aesthetic all contributed to the perception of The Crow as a cursed production.
Other horror classics like The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, and Poltergeist also faced their own share of misfortunes during filming, leading to speculation about curses. The Omen, in particular, was plagued by a series of bizarre incidents, including multiple lightning strikes, plane crashes, and even a zookeeper being mauled to death by lions. The amalgamation of these events with the film’s dark themes added to the belief in a curse.
Despite rational explanations for these tragedies, such as random chance or safety lapses on set, the allure of supernatural theories and curses persists in popular culture. The human tendency to seek patterns and meaning in chaos, coupled with a fascination with the macabre, fuels our interest in cursed films. While some incidents have led to industry-wide safety improvements, the idea of a curse surrounding a film continues to captivate audiences.
Ultimately, cursed films serve as a reminder of the real dangers and risks involved in filmmaking, as well as the blurred lines between fiction and reality. The unsettling nature of these stories, combined with the enduring myths surrounding cursed productions, highlights the complex relationship between cinema and tragedy. So, the next time you watch a movie rumored to be cursed, remember that behind the scenes, there may be a darker story waiting to be told.
