The Exciting World of Urban Fantasy: Films

Introduction

Urban fantasy can be described as a story in a modern setting that has fantasy elements, creatures, and magic a part of the world and setting. Those elements would then affect the plot in different, potentially unique ways. The story could then have those elements be set in and interact with a more modern setting, such as modern-day New York, London, or Salem. This could lead to interesting situations and dynamics between characters in the story. The genre can also operate as a doorway for movies and tv shows that people might not have even considered watching if they have not gotten into urban fantasy.

One of the most well-known examples would be Buffy the Vampire Slayer tv show. Buffy, the main character, is a young woman with magically enhance traits who fights against vampires, demons, and other forces of darkness from harming innocents. Buffy is joined by her friends, one of whom becomes a powerful witch, and her mentor/watcher Giles, who has studied the supernatural and magic for years. Overall, a movie or show being a part of the urban fantasy genre could be very interesting and memorable, if done well, as it can be a unique way to tell stories.

An American Werewolf in London

This film begins with two American tourists, David and Jack, traveling through a small town in Britain. While they’re leaving town that night, however, the two friends are viciously attacked, leaving only one of them alive. David then starts experiencing supernatural occurrences, such as seeing the ghost of his friend and eventually transforms into a werewolf. Eventually, the people he had killed while transformed begin to haunt him as rotting ghosts. David is eventually shot and killed while rampaging through London, thus finally putting an end to his curse. The movie is worth watching for both the special effects that were used, especially during the iconic werewolf transformation sequence, and as a classic take on the tale of the werewolf that is set in the early 1980s. The movie also shows how people during that time would likely react to a situation such as this.

Beetlejuice

This movie is about a couple dyeing and then coming back as ghosts. The house is quickly sold to the Deetz family, with Delia planning on extensive renovations. The Maitlands hide in the attic until they figure out how to access the waiting room for the afterlife. After failing to scare the Deetz’s several times and Beetlejuice trying to get hired, the Maitlands are almost exorcised until Lydia summons Beetlejuice to save them. He then starts to terrorize everyone until he is banished back to the afterlife. The imagery used in the movie, such as the special effects used on the ghost actors and the set for the afterlife, are classic Tim Burton. The characters are also very memorable as well, like the eccentric stepmother and Beetlejuice himself.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula

This film is an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula. It made some changes to the story, like adding a prologue concerning Dracula’s backstory. Also, Dracula does not mind control Mina in this version. This film is an adaptation of one of the most famous vampire books of all time. It is interesting to watch this movie to see how relatively modern views on vampires have impacted and shaped an adaptation of Dracula. It is interesting to see the changes that occurred to the story and characters in an adaption from the 90s.

Ghostbusters

This movie is about a group of former college professors (and later a hire on) who researches and captures ghosts. The film shows what more scientifically (and cynically) minded individuals might do upon finding evidence of ghosts. It is interesting to watch a movie where the protagonists are intentionally depicted to not possess many heroic characteristics. This is shown in how they are largely motivated by money and scientific curiosity. They eventually come to the attention of an agent from the EPA as they gain notoriety. They eventually get so busy that they have to hire additional Ghostbusters. The Ghostbusters are eventually arrested after the EPA agent has someone shut down their main storage unit, which causes an explosion that releases the ghosts that they caught. Afterwards, they try to convince the mayor to allow them to stop Gozer from destroying the world.

Hocus Pocus

The film’s villains are a trio of witch sisters who were hanged in the 17th Century, right after they cast a spell that would allow them to be resurrected in 300 years. Upon their resurrection, they then try to drain the life force of all the children of Salem. This is so that they can remain young and beautiful forever. The film also integrates rules for the magic and supernatural elements. For example, dark witches are able to cross a salt barrier or touch the ground of cemeteries. It is also interesting seeing how the witches’ spells worked. This includes the witches utilizing songs when casting spells and the effects of their life draining potion. The film’s depiction of the three witches is very hilarious and enjoyable, including when they arrive in contemporary modern times. This film shows how a family film from the 90s handled the urban fantasy genre.

Men in Black

The movie follows a man who, upon learning of aliens living on earth, joins a secret organization that is dedicated to monitoring and concealing alien activity that’s happening on earth. The organization must prevent an alien from stealing an artifact that belongs to a different alien species. If they don’t, it would kick off a war and destroy the earth. It is interesting to see how such an organization would operate and how they do their jobs, like agents paying attention to tabloids. This film is important to watch because it shows how sci-fi and urban fantasy can have elements in common. It also shows how the two genres can intersect with each other. The film shows a more benign version of the ‘Men in Black’ trope. In universe, the organization operates like an extraterrestrial immigration and naturalization agency while also monitoring for any problematic aliens.

The Cabin in the Woods

This film follows a group of friends who visit a cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway. The film has them go up against a secret organization that has several monsters at its disposal. The group must unknowingly summon and fight against a monster or monsters for the entertainment of ‘ancient gods’. This would allow for the completion of a ritual that would keep them sleeping. The movie also serves as a parody of the horror genre. It does so by showing how an organization like this one might affect things from behind the scenes. Like how the organization uses drugs and chemicals that have mind altering properties that allows for idiotic decision making. The movie is an interesting watch because of how it plays with classical horror tropes. It also shows how something like this might happen in the 21st century with an organization like this.

The Lost Boys

This film focuses on the Emmerson family, who move in with the boys’ grandfather in a small town in California. Said town also has an infestation of a group of rowdy vampires who live in an abandoned hotel. The sons, along with the friends that the youngest son makes, start noticing the strange events going on around town. Things escalate when the vampires take an interest in the older brother and the mother. It gets to the point that the vampires take steps to have them join their ranks. This film is important to watch because it is a unique take on vampire tropes in an 80s horror comedy. It also shows how vampires living in a small town and feeding on the locals might influence the town.