Freaks: A Controversy of Human Nature

                I would have to say Freaks is purely a melodrama rather than a horror film. My reason for this is because when it comes to horror movies your monster is hunting a victim for no defined reason. A perfect example of a human monster like this is Michael Myers from Halloween the character is defined as someone who kills for the sake of killing. Sure it is shown initially that he started killing as a child when he saw his older sister having intercourse with her boyfriend; though throughout the film we only saw one other case of him killing under that condition (possible plot hole?). Instead the main plot has Michael stalking and trying to kill the protagonist Laurie Strode for no defined reason.

                Another example of a well defined human monster is the character the Joker from the Batman comics. This is a man that has gone way beyond the bounds of society and has only one motive in life which is to spread violence and chaos for the sake of violence and chaos. There is no clear sane motive so by society’s judgment this kind of particular character would be judged as a monster.

                In contrast with these monsters in this movie the freaks they had a defined motive revenge it doesn't matter if they are physically deformed, this is a very 'human' motive. It is not defined as much as their actions are monstrous but more along the lines of humans animalistic nature. If I could explain a small example think of a suburban area that has two rival gangs; let’s say one of the gang members is nearly killed by the opposing gang, with their sense of unity they will retaliate against said gang with violence. Or let’s take a historical perspective on this such as the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria which allowed Austria-Hungary to declare war against Serbia which led us to World War I. 
             
             It is with these reasons I consider this film more of a pure melodrama film then one that is associated with horror.