The Bite #108

The Horrific Catharsis Of RESIDENT EVIL 3, The May Queen And MORE!

May 05, 2020

In this Issue:

Horror History: The Horrific Catharsis Of Resident Evil 3
Image of the Week: Skol
Tiny Bites – This Week’s Best Horror Headlines
Things We Love: Beware The Smiling DM
Hey, That’s Us! – Shudder in the News

HORROR HISTORY

The Horrific Catharsis Of Resident Evil 3

Let’s be honest, life kinda sucks right now. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a grinding halt and we’re all stuck in our homes, albeit for the greater good. As a result, reports show that video game usage has increased dramatically since stay-at-home orders have been implemented nationwide. A means of catharsis and escapism, video games provide the perfect opportunity for active participation through an interactive experience, unlike watching movies, a far more passive activity. With horror games specifically, this allows players to face the very fears that haunt them in real life.

Enter Resident Evil 3, Capcom’s latest release and a remake of the 1999 game of the same name.

Appropriately, Resident Evil 3 is a perfect allegory for what we’re collectively experiencing right now, around the world. A deadly, highly contagious virus runs rampant as the citizens of Raccoon City are told to stay indoors and avoid the infected at all costs. As S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine, it is your job to make your way through the city while attempting to practice safe social-distancing. If only zombies maintained that recommended six-foot gap.

As if the threat of a virus and hordes of zombies, hunters, infected dogs, and more weren’t enough, Jill’s journey is repeatedly interrupted by Nemesis, a terrifying B.O.W. (bio-organic weapon) that mutates throughout the game, each new iteration more deadly and terrifying than the last. Still, with perseverance — and a healthy amount of green herbs — players are able to best everything the game throws at them, emerging victorious, though not unscathed, in a world plagued by the T-virus.

Resident Evil 3 mirrors our world today. We are all living under the threat of a virus that endangers millions around the world. Everyone is susceptible. Nowhere is without risk. So why put ourselves into the very situation that is causing so much fear and anxiety?

Because we can win.

Because we can escape to something better.

Because facing what actively scares us makes us feel like we’re doing something other than sitting around and waiting like Dario Rosso in his shipping container.

Video games embolden us. They allow us to become the characters whose strength, resilience, and bravery we admire while facing challenges that feel overwhelming but don’t put us, or our loved ones, in harm’s way. In the era of COVID-19, Resident Evil 3 not only gives us permission to kick a virus’ ass, it actively encourages it.

As the OG 1996 Resident Evil said, “Overcome your fears and survive.” All we have to do is push ‘Start’ and “Enter the Survival Horror”.

*Jonathan Barkan is the VP of Acquisitions and Distribution of Feature Films for The Horror Collective, a genre distribution label. He has written for sites such as Bloody-Disgusting, Dread Central, Atom Tickets, Rotten Tomatoes, and more. His Swedish Vallhund, Dante, keeps him on his toes.

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Skol

Artist Tula Lotay paid tribute to Dani, our glorious May Queen, in this stunning illustration. May we all enter the Spring with this level of ferocity.

We know self-quarantine can be boring, but there’s no need to sit there listening to Billy’s heavy breathing. New members can try Shudder free for 30 days when they sign up online with promo code: SHUTIN

TINY BITES

LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, BIRTH.MOVIES.DEATH. AND MORE

This fascinating article looks at Contagion’s surge in popularity since COVID-19 became a part of our lives, and how this fear of infection is deeply rooted in the history of horror from Dracula to zombies and beyond.

Meanwhile, The Atlantic writes about another film’s rise in popularity and its horrific depiction of the all too relatable monotony people are currently living with — Groundhog Day.

Some exciting news as Birth.Movies.Death. changes ownership and joins the Cinestate family alongside Fangoria.

Use this guide to horror’s literary subgenres to help you choose the next book on your must-read horror list.

Bloody Disgusting continues their comprehensive breakdown of the golden age of Slashers with part 2 that covers titles from 1981-1984.

We got an amazing trailer for Misha Green’s Lovecraft County last week, and /Film has all the details about the Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams-produced series, while Vox explores Lovecraft’s racist legacy.

Inspired by the trailer for Nia DaCosta’s Candyman, filmmaker Bobby Huntley II decided to make a short trailer of his own for a film called Corona Man.

Witches aren’t letting COVID-19 keep them from their coven as they turn to practicing and educating via Zoom.

Some tiktok-ers are using the platform to show off their horror skills with these chilling and innovative shorts.

Vogue wrote about four films coming out this year by female filmmakers that tackle the male gaze including Amulet and Promising Young Woman.

More and more people are looking to horror as a source of comfort during quarantine, and Collider takes a personal look at why that may be.

Polygon suggests that these horror sequels are better than their predecessors, including titles like Bride Of Frankenstein, Ouija: Origin Of Evil, and [R.E.C.]².

THINGS WE LOVE

Beware The Smiling DM

Mondo is lousy with incredible puzzles to keep you busy at home, including this classic Dungeons & Dragons option. So prep your most horrific campaign and settle down with this 1000-piece beast.