In the Star Wars universe, there are terrors aplenty.
There’s a dark side of the Force, festering in the swamps of Dagobah. The fascist reign of the Empire took over the galaxy mostly unchallenged. Being torn asunder by Rancors and Wampas. That disgusting, goopy green milk that Luke Skywalker drank in The Last Jedi. The fact that Shadows of the Empire for the Nintendo 64 hasn’t been ported or remastered to modern gaming consoles with improved controls.
Horror in Star Wars isn’t anything new. Amid the grandiose musical score, clashing lightsabers, yelling Wookies, and sounds of blasters lay potential for scares in a galaxy far, far away.
Moreover, the franchise lends itself to various subgenres within horror with a litany of opportunities. This writer aims to spotlight each of these sections and how Disney and Lucasfilm can utilize them for any potential experimentation in the series. After all, a horror Star Wars project is reportedly in the works.
Slasher horror
When one thinks of slasher flicks, the likes of Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Art the Clown all come to mind. An unstoppable force, taking the lives of victims in comical or horrifying ways, tends to attract audiences that live for the absurd violence. Typically, horror fans can be seen sharing their favorite kills for this reason.
While the aforementioned wampas and rancors can provide that fright in a Star Wars horror flick, a more human approach may satiate that violence. Perhaps it’s a former Jedi in exile who’s gone mad, making them and their power all the more deadly. Or, say, an undead stormtrooper tracking down any former clones and humans in forgotten pockets of a planet. They’d need a better aim to save their lives. Shoot, even a rebel may fill that role.
Alternatively, a threat outside of the galaxy may encroach upon this interstellar territory. Part of the appeal of Ridley Scott’s 1979 film Alien is the threat of an extraterrestrial so foreign that they nearly seemed invulnerable. An alien being so unrecognizable and impervious to the Star Wars canon’s ability to supercede them can bring the sci-fi element to the slasher genre to give an ethereal feel. This would be ideal for Damien Leone or John Carpenter.
Body horror
Speaking of Carpenter, his 1982 masterpiece The Thing twisted researchers in Antarctica to an unsettling visage. A similar threat for Star Wars who uses that to terrorize an Imperial Star Destroyer or some bandits driving a Millennium Falcon-esque ship, can scratch that itch.
With the right practical effects, this could be a cheesy flick reminiscent of 1980s horror. Stretching and contorting, opening up body parts not meant to be opened until the result is nigh unrecognizable.
If this is unfeasible, then maybe something along the lines of an uncanny valley would suffice. Some sort of being that could morph into a convincing human, perhaps through the Force, yet something seems… off. A vagueness that isn’t configured and realized until it’s too late and spreads.
Psychological horror
The galaxy of the Star Wars universe could understandably leave many of its residents traumatized after the tyranny of the Empire and the subsequent First Order. Order 66 wiped out the Jedi Order, which rendered this portion of Force users endangered.
As the universe recovers from the evil of such cruel leadership, various inhabitants are prone to different threats. Within, the resurfacing ghosts of the past can resurface to haunt them. Reliving the deaths of rebels and Jedi can add to that fear. In a sort of Jacob’s Ladder situation, their path to move on could be riddled with holes that can’t heal. Or akin to The Shining, the darkest festering feelings of displaced individuals can bring about violence.
Notably seen in the Dagobah swamp in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, this bog fostered a use of the Force that haunted Luke Skywalker with psychological visions that plagued him under the tutelage of Master Yoda. It was a small moment, yet key to advancing his character arc.
Since this subgenre can be triggering for some, it’s reasonable to assume Disney and Lucasfilm would likely steer clear. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be outright impossible to navigate this territory tastefully. In the socioeconomic politics of Star Wars, I’m curious how someone would live in such a setting, post-fascism.
Cosmic horror
As alluded to in the slasher horror section, the unknown and incomprehensible strikes dread in the hearts of horror fans. Mostly known through the works of H.P. Lovecraft and Junji Ito, cosmic horror is responsible for eldritch abominations, concepts beyond human understanding, and manifestations of the seemingly impossible.
Just as the Dagobah swamp did to Luke, other entities and phenomena may exhibit dread in innumerable facets to unsuspecting galactic inhabitants. Only, it doesn’t need to originate in the same way as Yoda’s foggy, mysterious marsh. For instance, an overwhelming burst of the Force can assault whoever has any tether to it or influence Force-sensitive people with false images.
I doubt Lucasfilm would take Star Wars in a direction with an eldritch being similar to Cthulu or Nyarlathotep, and I definitely wouldn’t feel comfortable with outright installing these monsters into Star Wars canon, so I think elaborating on the Force being an antagonist could make for a chilling feature film or Disney+ series.
Experimentation in Star Wars
It’s no secret that Star Wars has had a rocky relationship with fans lately. The sequel trilogy from The Force Awakens to The Rise of Skywalker has left sour tastes in fans’ mouths. Personally, I enjoyed the films. I’ve even enjoyed what I’ve seen of The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Andor.
As The Mandalorian introduced western tropes to the series and Andor elaborated on the spy/political aspects, taking risks in Star Wars can prove fruitful. Since the narrative has shifted somewhat from the Skywalker family, audiences have been able to build a rapport with new characters. It certainly doesn’t hurt that new themes and fresh takes have bolstered the perception of what Star Wars is.
Horror is a concept capable of adding depth to this galaxy. It’s unpredictable and far less explored than it should be. Pop in some good scares, some juicy dread, and fans will be screaming like TIE Fighters soaring to some isolated rebel base.