Travis Cook
It’s just one of those days. Cut my life into pieces. In the end, it doesn’t really matter… or does it? In this ongoing series, we take a look at the decadent, the depraved, and the downright visionary horror films of the late 90s through early 00s that fall under the umbrella of what we’ve termed ‘nu-metal horror cinema’. Wake up, grab a little make-up, get down with the sickness, and let the bodies hit the floor. *deep breath* Are you READY?!?!?!
Urban Legend is a divergence from the prior installments in this series. No longer are we examining horrific superheroes. Instead, we’re seeing the first occurrence of the horror movie staple unpacked and rebranded with nu-metal influence—the teenage slasher flick.
We’ve not quite hit peak nu-metal yet, and vis a vis, nu-metal horror cinema has not yet fully defined itself. Nu-metal music was just starting to achieve mainstream success in 1998. Meanwhile, horror movies were following in lockstep with the latest trends of the time. The biggest influence on Urban Legend is clearly Wes Craven’s Scream, with its sharp, well-written Kevin Williamson screenplay manifesting in any number of teen slasher knock-offs, such as I Know What You Did Last Summer.
So, what makes Urban Legend nu-metal, and why does it matter?
Dirtbag Aesthetic
The character Damon (Joshua Jackson) is, for lack of a better word, expendable in the literal sense. Like most of the cast, Damon is a college student. He’s a frat boy; a prankster without a feel for when and when not to play a joke. His notions of consent are clearly wanting. It is no surprise when he falls victim to the killer. If anything, it’s something of a relief when he’s killed—we the viewers are no longer subjected to dealing with wretchedly unfunny ‘pranks’.
Having said that, Damon is an important character because of what he is and what he represents. Damon’s whole vibe is that of an entitled white male, likely in over his head at this pseudo-Ivy League school. He’s a frat boy looking to have a good time, and who does not take anything particularly seriously. With his bleached hair, baggy clothes, and attitude born of a bulletproof sense of self, he’s the poster child for the nu-metal generation. Throw a backward baseball cap and soul patch on him and you’ve got Fred Durst.
Having a principal character who shares the popular aesthetic of the time is nothing new in any movie. It’s not a particularly bold statement by the film’s director Jamie Blanks, nor is it in reaction to anything particularly vivid in pop culture. However, it is a sign of the broader acceptance of nu-metal as a cultural signifier. Its adoption by a major motion picture shows that the filmmakers were pulling from the culture of youths and teenagers in the broadest possible sense. Putting Damon in the film and having him appear and act as he does is an intentional choice. Blanks is speaking to an audience, saying that you’ll recognize this character and will know what to expect from him.
This is a step forward from the graverobbing hoodlums in Spawn—this is a main character with agency, who affects the plot of the film, and who might (ostensibly) be missed by other characters.
Might.
Sound (and Look) of the Beast
There are a few other signifiers at work in the film. While her character is more industrial gothic than nu-metal, Tosh, played by Danielle Harris of Halloween 4 and 5 fame, is first introduced having sex while “Spookshow Baby” by Rob Zombie plays in the background. (This is the first and only time that this has happened in the course of human history.) All black attire combo’d with loud metal music as character identity is far from original, but it’s effective. If anything, the licensing of Zombie’s work shows that nu-metal music is also starting to permeate film culture. A slasher movie playing what the kids are listening to will sell more tickets to those kids than one without.
Urban Legend is a fairly rote whodunnit knockoff of Scream. In spite of that, there is something to be said for its remarkable casting. Alicia Witt gives a credible performance as Natalie, the film’s Final Girl, and Jared Leto is already showcasing a creepy edge that will come to annoy countless filmgoers in years to come. From the main cast, other standouts include Joshua Jackson (One Tree Hill), Natasha Gregson Wagner (Lost Highway), and Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville).
One other way in which nu-metal horror films show their “bonafides” is by casting a reputable older actor. If one can be gotten from a prestige horror franchise, all the better to show that you’ve done your homework. Urban Legend double dips in this regard, deploying both Robert Englund and Brad Dourif to maximum effect. (Freddy vs. Chucky?) Such stunt-casting, while not the most subtle of gestures, is another way to show that your film means business. Furthermore, both Englund and Dourif are excellent character actors with dozens of credits to their names beyond their iconic horror characters. Urban Legend benefits greatly from their presence.
A Touch of Crimson
One last thing should be noted with regard to the film’s marketing. The movie’s poster is nothing particularly illuminating nor inspiring, highlighting the cast with a generically evil-looking eye in the center. It tells nothing about the movie to come, beyond the tagline. However, there is a strong use of red tones in the character’s faces. As we’ll see in future movies to come, red becomes more and more prominent in nu-metal horror advertising. (Look up any list of nu-metal movies on Letterboxd and you’ll see right away what I mean)
As nu-metal horror movies go, Urban Legend is scratching the surface of what will come later. That said, it’s a signpost along the way and signifies that mainstream culture is coming around on the nu-metal idea. This film is setting a course that others will follow and will follow in droves.
