Immersive Terror: Exploring Horror in Virtual Reality Movies, Unlocking a Fresh Method to Experience Intense Fear
In the world of entertainment, Hollywood is exploring new frontiers, with virtual reality (VR) horror movies taking centre stage. While still in its infancy, the genre is showing signs of significant growth, as industry figures delve into the unique storytelling possibilities VR offers for horror.
A notable development in this area is the production of the first known live-action VR TV series, "The Faceless Lady," produced by Eli Roth - a renowned horror director known for pushing boundaries in the genre. This series debuts exclusively on Meta Horizon Worlds in stereoscopic 3D, offering viewers an immersive experience that transports them into the story world, blending traditional horror narratives with interactive VR environments. The storyline, inspired by 17th-century Irish folklore, places viewers in the middle of a survival game, demonstrating how VR horror can engage audiences differently from conventional films.
The industry's response to VR horror is cautious but promising, combining traditional cinematic elements with VR technology to create new immersive experiences. Major VR horror movies, such as Until Dawn (2025), are still rooted in traditional viewing formats, but the success and experimentation of projects like Roth’s VR series indicate growing interest in expanding horror storytelling into VR platforms.
Looking ahead, the potential of VR horror movies in Hollywood is substantial due to VR’s unique capability for placing viewers inside the horror narrative, increasing presence, tension, and emotional engagement beyond what standard films can achieve. The industry seems poised to continue experimenting with VR as a medium, especially for horror, which benefits greatly from immersive environments and direct audience involvement.
While large-scale VR horror cinema is not yet mainstream, the development of live-action VR series and interactive horror projects suggests that VR horror could become a significant niche or even mainstream subgenre in the near future. Chad Eikhoff, a director and founder of TRICK 3D, believes VR is a significant storytelling device but doesn't expect it to replace filmmaking or gaming.
VR horror is gaining significant attention in Hollywood due to its immersive and terrifying potential. HoneyVR, a VR outfit, considers virtual reality horror as the scariest entertainment medium ever conceived. Despite the challenges in selling VR as a solo experience to a movie-loving public and overcoming the technical and storytelling hurdles in VR filmmaking, the revenue from VR products (both hardware and software) is expected to exceed $5 billion by 2018, according to Statista.
With Oculus collaborating with several big-name companies including Samsung, HTC, Sony, and Google to bring VR to the masses, and a Google Cardboard VR headset, priced at $15, allowing users to experience VR movies with a smartphone and an app, it's clear that virtual reality is the next big thing in Hollywood. Movies may become a significant part of VR, as indicated by the fact that about 80% of Samsung Gear VR users are using it for video consumption.
In summary, Hollywood's engagement with VR horror is nascent but indicative of a future where virtual reality could redefine how horror stories are told and experienced. With its immersive strengths aligning well with horror and direct audience involvement, VR horror could shift horror storytelling towards more interactive and visceral experiences.
Gadget enthusiasts should take note of the emergence of cutting-edge technologies in the realm of entertainment, as the production of live-action VR TV series like "The Faceless Lady" exemplifies the fusion of innovation and tradition. Similarly, technology aficionados following movies-and-tv trends will find gadgets such as VR headsets increasingly popular, with Oculus partnering with major companies to make VR more accessible.
