One day, I realized I was depressed due to everything happening in 2020-2021. Also, I realized that I had an eating disorder. I realized that I restricted my diet, was addicted to working out, and I would binge and purge. When I came to these realizations, I decided to seek help. Slowly, I found myself feeling better and thinking more clearly. When Scream 5 was in theaters, I went to see the movie! As I sat down and ate my popcorn, I didn’t realize I was about to embark on the most cathartic experience of my life.
My entire life, I have been captivated by all things horror and as long as I can remember, I loved Jamie Lee Curtis. Legend tells that even as an infant, I love Jamie Lee Curtis and anything macabre and Halloween. I always wondered why I loved horror.
As I watched Scream 5, I realized horror movies are about survival and overcoming trauma. What are the Halloween movies about? Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is an every day high school student. One Halloween night, her life changes forever. She is attacked by a violent man who is trying to kill her. She is traumatized, but she survives. She grows up and moves on with her life, but out of nowhere, Michael Myers comes back stronger than ever. Every time, he almost kills her, but she is able to survive.
I feel Michael Myers is a metaphor for trauma, eating disorders, memories of physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and addiction. Just like Laurie Strode and Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), I have my own versions of a slasher that comes for me when I least expect it. It’s my eating disorder and if Laurie Strode can survive Michael Myers, I can conquer my eating disorder. Yes, I’ll have long periods time when I won’t have problems, but every now and then, I’ll have to fight back and If I can do it, so can you.
No matter if your “Michael Myers” is addiction, memories of physical abuse, an abusive parent or spouse, memories of the cruelty of man or anything else you could deal with, don’t give up. Keep fighting. You’re not a victim, you’re a fighter and you’re stronger than you think.
This has turned into an essay, so in short, I love horror movies because they are stories about kids who survive all the horrors of the world. These movies remind me of how strong I am and I know you can be.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 🙂
P.S. I cried a few times as I wrote this.
These Halloween issues are dedicated to Jamie Lee Curtis and my therapist.
