Nineties Nostalgia and Scary Tales of Urban Legends Worth Reworking for a Frightful Rewatch
In 1998, the horror film "Urban Legend" graced the screens, weaving together a chilling tale inspired by popular urban legends and folk tales. Now, producer Gary Dauberman is breathing new life into this classic[1].
The movie, set on a New England university campus, uses urban legends as both thematic material and narrative devices to generate suspense and terror. It draws from common folklore and urban myths such as the "hook-man" legend, the "hanging man" legend, and other sinister tales involving accidents, death, and supernatural twists[2][3].
"Urban Legend" features a killer who stages murders that mimic these well-known urban legends, creating a whodunit slasher plot that solidified the formula of using urban legends as horror inspiration[2]. The film's success led to sequels and continued interest in the genre.
The movie's cast includes Alicia Witt, Robert Englund, Jared Leto, Danielle Harris, Michael Rosenbaum, Joshua Jackson, Rebecca Gayheart, Tara Reid, and Brad Dourif, among others[1]. Characters in the film use libraries and school newspaper archives to find clues, while pay phones ring at interrupting moments[1].
While "Urban Legend" is deeply silly at times, often winking at the audience, it manages to deliver a reasonably satisfying mystery that fits together in a cohesive manner[4]. The reveal of the killer is not entirely obvious, adding to the suspense.
Interestingly, "Urban Legend" is set in a pre-smartphone, early-days-of-the-internet era. This setting, combined with its use of urban legends as a foundation, overtly draws on folktales that inspired the earliest slasher films[2].
As we look forward, a potential remake of "Urban Legend" set in contemporary times might incorporate viral urban legends as its basis, further reinventing this classic slasher film for a new generation[5]. "Urban Legend" streams on Shudder starting August 1, offering horror fans the chance to revisit or discover this intriguing film.
Notably, "Urban Legend" is often compared to other slasher movies such as "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Final Destination" series, as well as the groundbreaking "Scream" which arrived in 1996, revitalizing the slasher genre[6]. Meanwhile, "Black Christmas" is credited for introducing the "killer on a college campus" concept in slasher movies.
In conclusion, "Urban Legend" is a testament to the enduring power of urban legends in horror films. Whether you're a fan of the original or eager to see a new interpretation, this film is worth a watch.
- Gizmodo, in an article, discussed the potential remake of the classic 1998 horror film "Urban Legend," proposing that it could be set in contemporary times and use viral urban legends as its basis.
- The entertainment website io9 praises "Urban Legend" for its successful use of urban legends as both thematic material and narrative devices, creating a suspenseful and terrifying movie set on a New England university campus.
- As more and more people are connected in the future through technology, it's possible that we will see more horror films inspired by the current urban legends and folktales that circulate online, following the example set by "Urban Legend."
