10) The Blair Witch Project (1999): The Hanging Stick Men
Like Cloud Atlas, The Blair Witch Project is classically considered to either be a brilliant film, or a distinctly underwhelming one. Famously shot on a shoestring budget, and offering little but the fear of the three actors themselves with which to create tension, many audience members woke up at the end of the 105 minute running time face down in the popcorn. But for those for whom Blair Witch did work, it was for that same reason; for the extremely basic formula of simplicity – and sheer weirdness.
The scene in which the characters stumble across numerous stick figures (actual, literal figures made from sticks), hanging all around them in an otherwise empty forest is the ultimate example of that combination. The figures themselves are simple; there is no blood, gore or other visual stimulant; there is no noise other than the voices of the actors, no movement apart from that of the camera, and of course no soundtrack. The concept of being afraid of some tied up twigs hanging from trees in the middle of a forest looks ludicrous on paper, but within the context of this particular movie, the characters may as well have turned around to find a hundred Freddie Krugers bearing down upon them.
At this simple sight, the tone of the movie changes. There is no longer any doubt for the characters as to the fact that something is happening in this forest, and that it is happening to them. The silent, inexplicable terror invoked by the stick figures is confirmed moments later when Mike cracks and begins screaming desperately for help. “I think it’s safe to say,” says Heather quietly from behind the camera, “that we’re lost.”
