Many movie enthusiasts are surely aware that the most popular horror films aren’t just the product of the creators' wild imagination. The inspiration for many filmmakers came from stories based on real events. What’s even more terrifying is the fact that some situations depicted on screen were presented in a much milder form than what actually happened in real life.
Real Murderers Who Actually Existed. These Crimes Will Freeze Your Blood
The film "The Silence of the Lambs," directed by Jonathan Demme, is a classic of the genre. This 1991 psychological thriller tells the story of an investigation into an exceptionally cruel serial killer, Buffalo Bill. The psychopathic character is a compilation of three of the most notorious murderers in history. Bill lured his victims using tricks similar to those employed by Ted Bundy, imprisoned them in a basement like Gary Heidnik did, and skinned them like Ed Gein.
Stephen King is the undisputed master of horror. The writer created the short story "A Good Marriage," which was adapted into a film in 2014 by director Peter Askin. The tale of the film’s main character, Dennis Rader, is inspired by the double life of the so-called BTK killer. The thriller also focuses on the psychological struggles of his wife, who, after more than 25 years of marriage, must come to terms with the cruel truth and admit that her warm and caring husband is, in fact, a ruthless serial killer.
These Stories Are Based on True Events. Shocking Fates
"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" is one of the most terrifying productions. The unsettling aspect of the film is that the story of the title character is based on the life of Anneliese Michel. The girl's troubles began when she was just 16 years old. Specialists were unable to verify the source of the teenager's deteriorating health, so her deeply religious family sought help from a priest. Anneliese was subjected to multiple exorcism rituals over several years, as the priest claimed she was possessed by an evil spirit. Ultimately, the girl died from malnutrition and dehydration, and the priest, along with her family, faced trial.
In 2002, the world was shaken by the story of Laci Peterson, who disappeared unexpectedly on Christmas Eve. Although her husband reported the incident to the police, he showed little interest in the investigation. Investigators began to suspect him, especially since Laci was eight months pregnant. It was soon established that the man had a motive to get rid of his wife, and he quickly became the prime suspect in the case. The shocking story became a tempting subject for filmmakers, who used this plot in the movie "Gone Girl." While the story in the thriller is based on the framework of the crime committed against Laci Peterson, in the film, it’s the titular missing woman who tries to frame her unfaithful husband for murder.
