Monster Movie

Supernatural, Season 4, Episode 5

American supernatural drama ‘Supernatural’ follows the story of two brothers hunting down paranormal creatures. In this particular episode, the codes an conventions fall back to the early-mid 1900’s, when movies were still in black and white, and the codes and conventions were still being experimented with. Sam and Dean must track down a ‘Shape shifter’ that poses as our good old fashioned villains, like werewolf, mummy and Dracula.Nowadays we can expect what to see with set, costume and make-up etc, but I thought it was interesting for such a modern, popular show to go back in time and still recognise what movie features used to be like yet still keeping up with modern appearances.

Welcome to PennsylvaniaIt’s a typical spot for the supernatural to happen. We are used to places like ‘Transylvania’ for Dracula. This episode is still modernized.

Damsel in DistressThere’s a typical blonde love interest, that I again modernized as she ends up saving the day.

WerewolfThe first creature we see from the old movies is a werewolf. It’s old because it’s standing up, and the costume isn’t as convincing.

MummyThere‘s a mummy. Like the 30’s movie ‘The Mummy’.This episode has simple Halloween monsters, and no over complication of their characteristics.

The Movies‘The movies’ are a theme as we are constantly reminded that the creatures are just from movies. In this particular scene there’s classic scary organ music being played by a silhouette of a skinny man, something that would’ve been quite creepy then.

FairytalesDean is dressed as Hansel from fairytale ‘Hansel and Gretel’. You could argue that Sam is Gretel, and is clever enough not to get himself caught by the monster.

SetIt’s a typical black and white castle with potions, candles and a painting of a vampiric looking woman. There’s just enough light shining through, to allow us to see all these features.

DraculaThe shape shifter is changing into all the classic monsters. His favourite being Dracula.