From ‘Hableme’ to ‘Los Locas Adams’: Why Is Horror Cinema Obsessed With Severed Hands? – Film News
Hands, which are generally considered symbols of skill, strength, and connection, play an interesting role in many films, adding layers of meaning to the plot and deepening the emotional and narrative aspects.
Horror cinema, with its rich history, has explored a wide range of exciting themes playing with humanity’s darkest fears. One of the oft-repeated and disturbing themes that has caught the attention of filmmakers and audiences alike is the obsession with mutilated hands. since silent cinema orlac’s hand from Robert Wien to contemporary proposals such as talk By brothers Michael and Danny Filippou, this sinister motif has managed to become a powerful and disturbing symbol that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries.
Severed hands and their powerful symbolism in horror cinema
In many films of this genre, the severed hand becomes a visual metaphor for loss of control and human impotence. Illustrations of a severed hand, whether as a result of an accident, dismemberment or act of violence, create feelings of insecurity and helplessness One that touches the deepest emotional chords of the audience. in silent german film orlac’s hand, the loss and replacement of the protagonist’s hands following a train accident creates an obvious tension. As a pianist, for Orlak the hands are symbols of skill and personal achievement, and their absence profoundly alters his identity.
The reason this is particularly effective is because hands are a symbol of action and power, and seeing them reduced to impotence can evoke an intense reaction in the audience. Furthermore, the image of severed hands may be related to themes of guilt, punishment, temptation, and destruction, as devil’s hand, William J. In Hole Jr.’s film, the arms of several women are tattooed as a pact with the devil, alluding to the conflict between personal free will and destiny and the influence of evil in the characters’ lives.
On the other hand, five-fingered beast Get your hands on the realm of supernatural dread. A dead musician’s hand comes alive and becomes a dangerous entity. here, lHands become a symbol of secret power and dark forces that escape human control, instilling fear of the unknown and uncontrollable. In horror cinema, characters who have committed immoral or violent acts may suffer the amputation of their hands as a sort of symbolic punishment for their actions. This visual representation of the crime and consequence can evoke a sense of poetic justice and satisfaction for the viewer, while also evoking a sense of uneasiness and unease.
Another explanation of the obsession with severed hands in horror cinema is related to the idea of ​​dehumanization. Amputation of hands can be seen as an extreme way of stripping a person of their humanity and ability to interact with the world. This can lead to the creation of monstrous or inhuman characters that create repulsion and fear in the audience.
A special case, but no less mysterious, occurs los locos adams, Barry Sonnenfeld in both the film and the series marlinaStarring Jenna Ortega, hands become instruments of dark humor and idiosyncrasies. The walking hand known as the Thing (fingers) serves as a recurring comic relief and represents the eccentricity of the family., Although these hands are comical, these hands also highlight the theme of individuality, symbolizing the uniqueness and distinctive character of each member.
The severed hands can be interpreted as visual representations of the fears and anxieties of society at each historical moment. In a time when technology and industrialization have created a sense of disconnection with our bodies and nature, the image of severed hands can express our fear of losing our humanity and our connection. that surrounds us, and these concerns are recaptured in Hublem, a film that you can already see at Cinemax Forum, Cinemax Cibeles, Cinepolis Texcoco, Cinepolis Plaza Las Flores and many more.
