In recent years, a friend and I have noticed the emergence of a subgenre of horror media: the horror game show. And honestly, it is one of my favorite things to talk about (I’m really fun at parties, I promise). So I’m here to spell it out: the setup, the narrative, and why we watch fictional characters fight for their lives…while solving puzzles.
This will also contain or allude to spoilers for: Hunger Games (2012), Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), Escape Room (2019), Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021), Squid Game (2020), “White Bear” episode from Black Mirror (2013).
The Set Up
The time and setting of the media rarely make a difference. Some will take place current day in a moral dystopia (i.e. Escape Room or Squid Game) while others take place in a dystopian future (Hunger Games and “White Bear”). Regardless, the situation has the following:
A Power Structure: the group of power exerts themselves on a (usually poorer) powerless group. The group of power then selects individuals to play in a game where the stakes are life and death. The lives of the latter group only have worth in their entertainment value.
A Game Master: a game master is employed on behalf of this group to create the game. They are usually known to the audience but do not necessarily play an active role in the game (Squid Game, being the exception here).
The Spectators: What makes this genre distinct from general horror is the ability for others to watch the events play out. The event is broadcasted to an audience beyond the creator/game master for entertainment value.
A Winner: Because the events are broadcasted, the spectators want a winner. The chance of survival must exist. This also allows the media to pursue the inevitable “all-stars” installment.
This follows the characteristics of contemporary horror on many levels; however, the most important characteristic of the horror game show genre is the entertainment derived from life or death stakes. Think of the Capital’s fanfare over the Hunger Games, the masked spectators of the Squid Game or the general public of “White Bear.”
Now that the game has been established (and a few rounds have been played), our narrative can begin.
The Narrative
Among the powerless group, an unknown hero will emerge, win the game, and challenge the system. The classic underdog! Let me map out some of them:
Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games franchise) outwits the game and finds a way for two winners (herself and her “star-crossed lover” Peeta Mellark). Originally from a poorer district with a lone victor, she soon becomes a controversial favorite of the games. She then becomes the face of the Rebellion against the Capital in the following installments: Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014), and Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015).
Zoey Davis (Escape Room franchise) is an inquisitive college student who notices the higher powers (Minos Corporation) while finding her escape in deadly escape room. Like Katniss, she finds a way to have a co-winner. She then finds herself in the games again in Escape Room: Tournament of Champions with ambitions to uncover the doings of Minos Corporation.
Seong Gi-hun (Squid Game), a divorced man, struggles financially to support his daughter placing him in debt. Then is given the opportunity to win a large sum of money. The prize increases with every elimination. Players are eliminated by losing the games they play or by their fellow players during downtime. A second season is confirmed with a finale hinting at Seong’s return to the game to take it down.
Most works in this genre share a common narrative structure.
An unassuming, yet clever protagonist is selected to enter the games.
They manage to outwit not only the games but start to question/challenge the higher power. They usually have the mentality of “I won’t play your game.”
The protagonist supports other contestants and bring them to higher levels, creating a sympathetic hero. Without the protagonist, it could be argued they would not survive.
The protagonist wins the game. And is allowed to escape the game…for now (again, until the inevitable All-Stars sequel).
Most of these stories have nearly identical narrative structures: person enters the game, they are presented with games they must win, and they win. It is ultimately a simple premise. The nature of the games changes and becomes the interesting part.
The Appeal
The horror game show genre is appealing because of the same reason the games exist in their respective universes: seeing a human fight for their life will always be entertaining. As the Escape Room puts it,
“From the beginning of civilization we've known there was something captivating about watching human beings fight for their lives. That's why we watch gladiator games, public executions, rubber-necking on the freeway. But now the world's gone soft.”
We innately are drawn to the fragility of life. However, the emergence of this genre has only happened over the past few years. The Saw franchise was the catalyst for deadly games.
In his “Game horror as a reflection of America,” Reece Goodall concludes “the game horror trend demonstrates that the idea of a fair and equal USA, in which all men are created equal, is highly at odds with the present reality.”
And while the horror game show subgenre extends this idea to highlight that Americans in power use the struggles of “lesser” people as entertainment.
Regardless, these are just captivating movies that I would argue, will never get old. By changing the games and the reason for creation, audiences will remain captivated and the subgenre remains fresh.
So I beg of you, watch Escape Room and Escape Room: Tournament of Champions so we get a third one.
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