The Scariest Horror Movies: “Anything for Jackson” Subverts Expectations
The scariest horror movies are often the ones that make you feel the most. Those movies that unnerve viewers on multiple levels, drawing on emotions like nostalgia and sadness to make its central horror hauntingly relatable for the audience. Many scary movies try to imbue their fear with this kind of emotion, but few do it as dreadfully well as Justin G. Dyck’s Anything for Jackson.
A Subversion of Expectations
It’s an AMC+ film built on subverting expectations; the main antagonists are an elderly couple, two surprisingly endearing people who pair their heartfelt motivations with a nefarious plot to kidnap and use a pregnant woman in their satanic ritual.
The Power of Emotional Horror
Along with superficial scares, the film excels at portraying the gut-wrenching emotions at the core of its narrative, utilizing both the woman’s fear for her life and the couple’s motivations to ground itself in a shocking amount of heartbreak. It refuses to grant audiences a pair of villains who are easy to hate and instead forces them to consider the visceral kind of heartbreak that would drive someone to such a terrifying plan.
A Poignant Portrayal of Love and Heartbreak
It juggles both the horrific and emotional aspects of this plot perfectly, and in doing so, creates a horror film that offers a poignant portrayal of the love grandparents have for their grandchild — and what they’re willing to do to get him back.
We Would Do ‘Anything for Jackson’
Whereas other films try to ease audiences into their horror, Anything for Jackson furthers its subversion by immediately thrusting watchers into the satanic plot at its center — but not before some cute banter. The first scene introduces viewers to elderly couple Audrey (Sheila McCarthy) and Henry (Julian Richings), with the casual way they tease each other harking back to the usual portrayal of grandparents that audiences will know…which is what makes their subsequent kidnapping of Shannon (Konstantina Mantelos), a heavily pregnant woman, so shocking.
A Shocking Twist
They imprison her, and as the terrified woman searches for a way to escape, both she and the audience learn why the couple are doing this: they miss their grandson.
Conclusion
Anything for Jackson is a masterclass in subverting expectations and crafting a horror film that is both terrifying and emotionally resonant. By refusing to grant audiences a pair of villains who are easy to hate, the film forces viewers to consider the visceral kind of heartbreak that would drive someone to such a terrifying plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the main plot of “Anything for Jackson”?
A: The main plot of “Anything for Jackson” revolves around an elderly couple, Audrey and Henry, who kidnap a pregnant woman, Shannon, and plan to use her in a satanic ritual to get their grandson back.
Q: What makes the film’s horror so effective?
A: The film’s horror is effective because it combines superficial scares with a deep emotional resonance, drawing on the audience’s emotions and making the central horror hauntingly relatable.
Q: Are the main antagonists of the film easy to hate?
A: No, the main antagonists, Audrey and Henry, are not easy to hate. Instead, they are portrayed as a loving and endearing couple who are driven by a desperate desire to be reunited with their grandson.
Q: Is “Anything for Jackson” a must-watch horror film?
A: Yes, “Anything for Jackson” is a must-watch horror film for fans of the genre. Its unique blend of horror and emotional resonance makes it a standout in the world of horror cinema.