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I have commented many times about what I define as genuine horror cinema, and it basically comes down to stories that explore and challenge aspects of the human condition that are deemed too frightening to ever want to contemplate. One of the reasons the horror genre is ripe for these kinds of stories is that, in most cases, the internal conflict can be easily embodied by an external force or character. For example, the shape-shifting monster from John Carpenter's classic The Thing is the perfect embodiment of paranoia and nonconsensual infiltration of one's thoughts and body. Going further back, Geroge A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead uses zombies to comment on the dangers that can accumulate from a lack of unity and needless perpetual racism. A more recent example is Netflix's The Ritual, which utilizes a monster-worshiping cult to force the protagonist to face his personal demons and seek self-forgiveness. Good horror stories utilize external forces to bring out internal conflicts that require courage, self-reflection, and re-evaluation to be resolved.
In all of these cases, the conflict has arisen from a monster or some other unearthly entity, but what if the monster was something inanimate? What if the monster that brings out those terrifying human aspects is something as simple as sheets of cotton and linen? That is the question raised by Sam Raimi's underrated 1998 classic thriller, A Simple Plan. The story of three people struggling to justify their questionable actions, forcing them to contemplate the true nature of evil and what it may take to survive their self-imposed ordeal. It may not be recognized as a "horror" movie, but make no mistake, it is a genuine horror story in every possible way and not just because of its director (more on him later).
Set in the outskirts of Minnesota during winter, the story follows two brothers and their mutual friend who stumble upon a crashed plane buried under the snow. Curious, the three men investigate the plane and find a large duffle bag filled with millions of dollars in cash. At first, the three men believe they can keep the money since the lost plane would suggest no one is looking for it or has yet to find it. However, one of them suggests that since they don't know where it actually came from, it's their responsibility to hand it over to the authorities because nothing involving that much money all at once could be good-natured or legit. As a compromise, the three men agree to sit on the money and the location of the crashed plane until they can determine the nature of their find and their safety. As the truth slowly unravels itself, brought on by their own investigation and hints of greed, they soon find themselves in a series of unintended evil acts, forcing them to question their choices and convictions. Everyone will be changed by this event, but who knows if it'll be for the better?
This film is a prime example of what I like to describe as elegant simplicity. It's a simple story about ordinary people trapped in a tangled web of seemingly necessary evil actions for what they believe to be a greater goal, only to realize too late that nothing good can arise from their current choices. It's a film that is fearless in tackling the horrors of the human condition, which isn't surprising given its director, Sam Raimi, who is no stranger to horror cinema.
Sam Raimi is something of a legend in the world of horror cinema. He made a name for himself as an eccentric artist with a penchant for the silly and over-the-top. This is understandable when your debut includes totally out-of-there classics like The Evil Dead and Darkman: films that embrace an air of insanity that can best be attributed to a creative mind akin to a broken fire hydrant. Even so, this mindset didn't seem to settle well with most studio heads, who felt that such a crazy filmmaker couldn't create anything outside of his comfort zone. So, to prove them wrong, Sam Raimi made a few simple films that maintained his creative identity but were much more toned down. A Simple Plan was the first film in this toned-down style that would prove himself as a capable and versatile artist.
I described this film as underrated because it's one of his greatest films that isn't talked about nearly as much as it should. Not just because of how well it fits in the spirit of Halloween horror but also because of how well done and memorable it is. I say this because (and I swear this is totally true) I saw this movie in theaters when it was initially released in 1998 and haven't yet had the opportunity to rewatch it since. Not because it wasn't good but because everything about it was so well executed and so memorable that, to this day, I still remember nearly every vital scene. The story, performances, and overall presentation were so visceral they have lived in my memory for well over twenty years.
This is an excellent film for most occasions, and it is especially great for the Halloween season. Sure, it may not be as campy or as surreal as most other Halloween classics, but for a simple and genuine story that explores the horrors of the human condition, this is a top-notch choice. Be sure to add this one to your list of potential choices for your scary movies to view tonight.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
Happy Halloween!
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