Alfonso Cuarón, the visionary director behind cinematic masterpieces such as Gravity and Children of Men, has set his sights on a new and thrilling genre: horror. Cuarón recently revealed during a masterclass at the Locarno Film Festival, where he received a lifetime achievement award, that he's long been fascinated by horror films. In fact, he's been “flirting” with a horror script he penned himself.
Unlike his good friend Guillermo del Toro, known for his fantastical creatures and dark fairy tales, Cuarón's approach to horror is deeply rooted in reality. He cites Roman Polanski's The Tenant and Rosemary's Baby as significant influences, hinting at a more psychological and grounded exploration of fear. This wouldn't be his first time venturing close to horror; his dystopian thriller Children of Men carried a tension and bleakness that bordered on the terrifying.
Cuarón's interest in horror comes at a time when other renowned filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and the Coen Brothers have also expressed a desire to explore the genre. This wave of interest from top-tier directors could signal a new golden age for horror, one that blends masterful storytelling with the ability to deeply unsettle audiences.
Fans won't have to wait too long to see what Cuarón has been working on. His upcoming project, Disclaimer, an Apple TV+ series starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline, premieres on October 11th. Additionally, rumors suggest he's begun filming Billy Please Call Home, based on a script he wrote over two decades ago. As we eagerly await these releases, the possibility of a Cuarón-directed horror film looms tantalizingly on the horizon.
