In a recent interview with the British Film Institute, renowned film director Christopher Nolan revealed his desire to venture into the realm of horror movies. Despite his fascination with the genre’s cinematic potential, Nolan confessed that he has yet to discover a suitable narrative that would effectively translate into a compelling horror film.

“I think horror films are very interesting because they depend on very cinematic devices. It’s really about [provoking] a visceral response to things. So at some point, I’d love to make a horror film. But I think a really good horror film requires a really exceptional idea — and those are few and far between. So I haven’t found the story that lends itself to that. But I think it’s a very interesting genre from a cinematic point of view. It’s also one of the few genres where — the studios make a lot of these films — and they’re films that have a lot of bleakness, a lot of abstraction. They have a lot qualities that Hollywood is generally very resistant to putting into films, but that’s a genre where it’s allowable,” Nolan stated during the interview.

Nolan, acclaimed for his works in genres ranging from science fiction to thriller, expressed his intrigue with horror as a genre that permits exploration of darker themes and unconventional storytelling methods. Despite his notable filmography, including box-office hits like “Inception” and “The Dark Knight” trilogy, Nolan has yet to dabble in the horror genre.

Furthermore, Nolan reflected on his upcoming project, “Oppenheimer,” and how it incorporates elements of horror within its narrative framework.

“Certainly Oppenheimer has elements of horror — which I definitely think is appropriate for the subject matter. The middle of the film is very heavily based on the heist genre, and the third act of the film is the courtroom drama. And the reason I settled on those two genres for those sections is they are mainstream genres in which dialogue and people talking is inherently tense and interesting to an audience. That’s the fun thing with genre — you get to play with a lot of different areas whereas in a different type of film you really wouldn’t be allowed to,” Nolan elaborated.

Nolan’s upcoming biographical drama, “Oppenheimer,” focusing on the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist often referred to as the “father of the atomic bomb,” is anticipated to showcase his versatility as a filmmaker, blending elements from various genres to craft a multifaceted cinematic experience.

As fans eagerly await Nolan’s potential foray into horror, speculation abounds regarding the unique narrative twists and visual spectacles he could bring to the genre known for its ability to elicit fear and suspense. While Nolan’s journey into horror may still be on the horizon, his inclination toward the genre has undoubtedly piqued the interest of both fans and critics alike, eagerly anticipating what spine-chilling tales the master storyteller may have in store.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter