Surrealism

Lore & Background

In the collective mythology of these films, surrealism acts as a breach in the fabric of the ordinary world. It is often triggered by extreme emotional states or external forces that defy scientific explanation, forcing protagonists to navigate landscapes where cause and effect are unreliable. Whether it is a high school gymnasium becoming a portal to another dimension or a family dinner turning into a ritualistic slaughter, the surreal element strips away social pretenses to reveal raw, unfiltered truth. This narrative device frequently blurs the line between objective reality and subjective hallucination. Characters often find themselves trapped in loops of time, interacting with versions of themselves, or witnessing events that should be physically impossible yet are treated with matter-of-fact acceptance by their surroundings. The environment itself becomes a character, shifting and warping to reflect the internal turmoil of those who inhabit it, creating a world where the only constant is the instability of existence.

In Their Own Story

The hallway stretched longer than the geometry of the house should allow, the wallpaper peeling back to reveal not plaster, but a pulsating, fleshy membrane that breathed in rhythm with the protagonist's own heartbeat. A clock on the wall ticked backward, its hands spinning wildly until they dissolved into smoke, leaving only the scent of burnt sugar and old rain. In this impossible corridor, the door at the end was no longer wood, but a gaping maw of static, whispering names that had been forgotten years ago, inviting a step forward into a silence so loud it threatened to shatter the mind.

Reader's Guide

A24 utilizes surrealism not just as shock value, but as a structural tool to explore trauma and isolation. In films like *The Witch* or *Midsommar*, the supernatural elements emerge from historical or cultural contexts, making the horror feel inevitable rather than random. The narrative structure often abandons linear progression in favor of cyclical or fragmented storytelling, mirroring the confusion of the characters. Tonal shifts are abrupt and jarring; a scene can transition from pastoral beauty to visceral grotesquerie without warning, forcing the audience to feel the same disorientation as the protagonists. This approach is evident in *Hereditary* and *The Lighthouse*, where the psychological state of the lead characters warps the physical world around them, making it impossible to distinguish between madness and reality. By grounding these fantastical elements in hyper-realistic cinematography and naturalistic acting, the studio creates a unique dissonance. The audience is anchored by the familiarity of the setting before being pulled into the abyss, ensuring that the surreal moments land with maximum emotional impact.

Did You Know?

• Many A24 films use practical effects to create surreal transformations, avoiding CGI to maintain a tangible sense of dread.
• The studio often employs long takes and static camera angles during surreal sequences to heighten the feeling of helplessness.
• Sound design plays a crucial role in establishing surrealism, frequently using silence or distorted ambient noise to unsettle the viewer.
• Surreal elements are often used as metaphors for grief, addiction, or societal pressure rather than traditional monster-hunting plots.