The uncanny

Definition

The uncanny refers to a psychological and aesthetic experience that evokes feelings of discomfort, eeriness, or strangeness, often stemming from the familiar being rendered unfamiliar. This concept connects deeply with themes of fear and alienation, as it challenges our understanding of reality and the ordinary, making us question what we perceive as normal. In film, the uncanny can enhance the narrative by creating tension and unsettling emotions in viewers, often utilized by various movements to explore the darker aspects of human experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The uncanny has its roots in Freudian theory, where it is associated with repressed memories or emotions surfacing in an unsettling way.
2. In cinema, directors like David Lynch and Alfred Hitchcock have effectively used the uncanny to create atmospheres of dread and confusion.
3. The uncanny often appears in genres such as horror and science fiction, where familiar settings or objects are distorted to provoke fear.
4. This concept can be illustrated through doppelgängers or lifelike dolls, where something resembling reality becomes eerie due to slight differences.
5. The uncanny serves to blur the line between reality and fantasy, making audiences question their perception of the world around them.

Review Questions

• How does the uncanny enhance the emotional impact of a film's narrative?
  • The uncanny enhances emotional impact by introducing elements that make viewers feel discomfort and unease. By presenting familiar scenarios that become distorted or bizarre, filmmakers create a sense of alienation that resonates on a psychological level. This dissonance can heighten tension and suspense, leading audiences to engage more deeply with the characters’ fears and struggles.
• Discuss how various film movements have incorporated the uncanny to explore deeper themes in their narratives.
  • Various film movements, like German Expressionism and Surrealism, have utilized the uncanny to delve into themes of identity, madness, and societal fears. For instance, German Expressionist films often present distorted realities that reflect inner turmoil, while Surrealist works challenge conventional perceptions through bizarre imagery. By employing the uncanny, these movements not only entertain but provoke critical thought about human existence and societal norms.
• Evaluate the significance of the uncanny in shaping contemporary horror cinema and its evolution over time.
  • The significance of the uncanny in contemporary horror cinema lies in its ability to tap into deep-seated fears related to identity and reality. As films evolve, directors increasingly play with familiar tropes in unconventional ways, such as blending psychological horror with elements of realism. This shift reflects society's changing anxieties about technology and self-perception, making the uncanny a relevant tool for exploring modern fears while continuing to draw from its historical roots in earlier cinematic traditions.

Related terms

Familiarity: The quality of being well-known or easily recognized, which can be turned unsettling when it is juxtaposed with the unfamiliar.

Alienation: A feeling of estrangement or disconnection from oneself or one’s surroundings, often evoked through uncanny elements in storytelling.

Psychological Horror: A genre that emphasizes the emotional and psychological states of characters to evoke fear, often employing the uncanny to create tension.