“It’s right behind you!” or Rated R for “Terror”

Abstract

This chapter examines why The Conjuring was rated R for “terror” and the three most frightening moments in the film as exemplars of how director James Wan manipulates the audience and develops slow scares. It then contextualizes The Conjuring with Wan’s previous work and considers his collaborators. After a brief production history, the chapter considers the use of humor to offset and thus heighten the horror. Lastly, the first chapter considers the importance of seeing in the film – film is a visual medium and The Conjuring plays around with the idea of what you can and cannot see and which is scarier.