What Are You REALLY Scared Of When It Comes To Disaster Films?
From Titanic to Sharknado, we look back at some classic disaster films and work out the real fears they capitalised on.
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Sharknado (2013)
Ostensible fear: Shark infested tornadoes. You know the ones.
Actual fear: Alienation.
Sure, the fear of a super-storm picking up the deadliest portion of the ocean and spewing it all over former 90210 cast members is legitimate, but Sharknado touches on a much deeper issue than that. This film actually explores the pitfalls of a digital age devoid of human intimacy; humankind’s dependence on technology, and slavery to the screens in our lives. Just as the ‘ding’ and flash of social media notifications constantly interrupt our lives, so too do airborne sharks chomping down on the unsuspecting flesh of pedestrians. How can you hope to repair your relationship, get to know your estranged daughter or catch that perfect wave, if your life is tethered to that internet cage/you have to run from nature’s vengeful murderers?
Sharknado’s message to the world is that you should take the time to prioritise your loved ones. Take life as it comes, grab a chainsaw, and throw some metaphorical bombs into those metaphorical tornadoes!
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Into The Storm is in cinemas now.
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Sinead Stubbins is a writer from Melbourne who has done stuff for Yen, frankie, Smith Journal and Elle. She tweets about Drake, Gilmore Girls and cheeseburgers at @sineadstubbins