Recently, there has been a string of similarly themed movies that have hit the box office. Movies like ‘Ready or Not’, ‘Ready or Not Two: Here I Come’, ‘They Will Kill You’, and ‘Weapons’ introduce satanic or demonic themes, a recurring genre throughout film history. 

However, in recent years, we have seen a comparative rise in the popularity of the comedic horror genre. Films typically begin with an unaware character who will soon encounter a series of horrifying events. As the story progresses, the character either figures out the source of the conflicts or has to rise against it. 

However, what differentiates Comedic Horror from regular Horror is a comedic or ironic ending. This typically goes against the demonic point of view, and the film’s antagonists are subjected to an ironic punishment, much to the amusement of the audience. 

So, what has contributed to the increase of the comedic horror genre? Is horror evolving? Is the genre becoming self-aware? How does this reflect society? 

With a large number of these films in the theaters today, it can be assumed that something is inspiring these stories to be told. The horror genre has never been isolated to one form of storytelling; it is constantly evolving. And like all other genres, it is a reflection of society today. 

The increased use of irony in horror films shows the integration of comedy in traditional horror themes. This change could be due to the rise of a new generation that grew up on non-traditional types of comedy, as a means to appeal to the younger audience that constitutes majority of the audience. 

But, this popularity also comes at a time of great political shift, and a more pessimistic period for a large percentage of people in the United States. Seeing large amounts of violence, as well as questionable political figures representing traditional values in the news, may be a part of the inspiration. It likely contributes to the use of irony towards the end of these films: a release people cannot resort to in real life. 

The genre of comedic horror flips traditional expectations by turning the source of fear into the punchline. This leaves audiences unsettled, but rewards viewers with an ending filled with both tension and humor. In contrast to traditional films, modern horror is less about surviving a certain unknown evil, and more about allowing the viewers to see the larger power collapse on its own absurdity. 

If this trend continues, it can provide viewers with inspiration for ways to deal with our demons instead of just fearing them.