Latino Characters Make Bad Horror Movie Protagonists, Here’s Why We Think So
Latinos have been struggling to get more names in Hollywood. But we think Hollywood's horror movie stereotypes just won't fit the culture most Latinos grew up in.
Diversity in Hollywood has been an issue for a long time, the New York Times even noted that only three percent of lead or co-lead roles land on the hands of Latino actors.
Latinos love horror movies, as said by NPR, and there have been many efforts to change the casting differences. But maybe the horror movies should rethink casting Latinos if they will stick with the horror stereotypes. Hint: It has a lot to do with culture.
Here are some Hollywood horror movie stereotypes that just don't go well with Latino culture:
Staying in a House that Witnessed Murder
Horror movie characters just seem to love looking at random noises at random times in the night. It's what the NBC called the "Qué fue eso? Vámonos de aquí!" (What was that?/Let's go!) factor.
Latino's aren't into it, especially if they know they have to stay in a house where people were killed in. They might not even consider staying there in the first place. They grow up knowing a lot about the duality of good and evil because religion is deeply ingrained in them.
No way they would buy a house, where angry spirits are likely to stay. They'd be out of the house in seconds and the movie will probably be just minutes long.
Babysitting a Child You're Not Related To
Babysitting is a thing for Latinos, but usually, is just one of the many members in their extended family. A UCP of Alabama study finds that, unlike Americans that follow nuclear families, Latinos find the need to assist family with problems or even the small favors.
Latinos have a smaller chance of getting a stalker to walk in the house they're babysitting in just because the baby's mom will be around to check in every hour or so. Family's going to be around all the time.
Keeping Accidental Killings Hidden
Hollywood usually puts teenage characters together in a horror movie and gets them to accidentally kill someone. That's not happening with Latino neighbors and relatives.
"I Know What You Did Last Summer" is going to turn into "I Know What You Did Just Now" because of how nosy some Latino moms can be. A study by Alejandro Paz of University of Chicago even explored the "chismoso" culture of Latinos, but said it is partly because of their need to engage in public matters.
In the end, it's likely that no secrets can stay hidden for an entire year if it were only up to Latinos. So, again, that will be one of the lamest movies ever.
Sleepovers Gone Wrong
Latinos are less likely to have "A Nightmare on Elm Street" moment because their moms would simply let their friends stay over instead. They won't be allowed to go to a house that doesn't have crosses, candles, saint figurines and other religious figures all over it.
As said earlier, Latinos take religion seriously. If they were in "The Sixth Sense," there would be a priest and a curandera. Possibly the entire family praying in the next room. It would've been a very different movie.
Leaving Kids Alone
This is going to sound redundant. But in Latino culture, family is really always going to be around. Whether it's nuclear family or the aunts and uncles, there's a good chance that someone will be left with kids, so they don't throw a big party and end up getting killed by a mass murderer.
Jason won't be getting his 'Friday the 13th' stint because there's a good chance the teens won't be allowed to go camping anyway.
Maybe Latino didn't get their horror movie seat but Charles Ramirez Berg, who studies how Latinos film representation, thinks there isn't much to lose.
Horror movies just need a monster and a victim. Ethnicity plays little narrative function, Berg said.
Latinos may not make for the best horror protagonists but they sure make a good audience, and that's what matters.
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