Antrum and the Uncanny: A Dive into Semantic Priming

 

The 2018 horror film "Antrum" thrives on a unique, unsettling atmosphere. It weaves a narrative of a lost film, supposedly cursed, that unleashes misfortune upon those who view it. But what truly makes "Antrum" so effective is its use of a psychological phenomenon called semantic priming.

What is Semantic Priming?

Semantic priming is a subconscious mental process where exposure to a word or concept influences how you respond to related words later. Imagine reading the word bed, followed by the word sleep. The first word primes your brain to respond faster to the second word because they are semantically linked.

Antrum and the Power of Suggestion

Antrum utilizes semantic priming throughout the film. From the beginning, viewers are bombarded with disturbing imagery and unsettling rumors surrounding the lost film. Words like death, curse, and madness are interwoven into the narrative, priming the audience to associate the movie with negativity.

As the characters delve deeper into the mystery of Antrum, the film bombards them and the audience with increasingly disturbing imagery. This constant priming creates a sense of unease and dread, even if the imagery itself isn't inherently scary. Our brains, primed by the continual barrage of negativity, begin to fill in the gaps and create their horror.

The Uncanny Valley and Semantic Priming

The film's use of a fictional, decades-old film adds another layer of unease. The grainy quality and distorted visuals within the uncanny valley create a psychological effect where things that appear almost human elicit feelings of discomfort. This uncanny effect, combined with the semantic priming caused by the film's narrative, creates a powerful sense of wrongness and dread.

The Power of Perception

"Antrum" is a fascinating example of how filmmakers can manipulate our subconscious to create a sense of horror. Using semantic priming and the uncanny valley, the film primes the audience to perceive the fictional film as inherently evil, even though the content may be ambiguous. It's a testament to the power of suggestion and how our brains can be tricked into creating their horror.

So, the next time you watch a horror film, notice the subtle cues and how they might influence your perception. You might be surprised at how much your mind is being primed for fear.