Everyone loves a good sitcom. Conversely, everyone loves to hate a bad sitcom (looking at you Big Bang Theory). Let's take a moment however, to think about what if some of those sitcoms were never actually sitcoms, but horror films instead. Yep, that's right, this is what it has come to.
To be fair I genuinely think some of these shows could work really well in the horror genre, but some of them are just here because I thought it would be amusing to imagine them as such. So buckle up boys and ghouls, because these sitcoms are about to get spooky..
That's So Raven
This Disney channel classic is a good one to start with as it already had some supernatural elements in the first place. As you will remember, the show followed the wacky exploits of Raven Baxter who possessed psychic abilities that allowed her to see into the future. As a horror film, That's so Raven could be something along the lines of Stephen King's The Dead Zone, with Raven's visions predicting crimes and murders around San Francisco, forcing her to attempt to stop them. I mean come on, a character called Raven with the power of foresight, which she uses to stop bad things from happening, it's a no-brainer really. It could also leave plenty of room for Edgar Allan Poe references too, maybe it could be called Nevermore instead.
The Big Bang Theory
Some would argue that this show is scary enough as it is, lasting 11 seasons so far and becoming progressively worse over time. The show follows the simple premise of budding actress Penny moving into a new apartment where she befriends a group of middle-aged nerds. If it were a horror film however, it would most likely play out like a Rosemary's Baby-type scenario. Penny would befriend Sheldon and co. only to discover that the seemingly innocent quartet of geeks are actually part of a satanic cult that wish to use her for their own means. Sheldon would of course be the leader of said cult, while Leonard would be the reluctant member who ultimately attempts to aid our heroine. Also, maybe, just maybe, the demon worshiped by the cult could be named Bazinga. Juts imagine how terrifying it would be as Penny tries to hide in her apartment while Sheldon repeatedly knocks on her door, calling her name as he does so. Knock, knock, knock.. Penny.. knock, knock, knock..Penny.. that could be the tagline.
The Office
David Brent was always something of a creep, remember that time he conducted a job interview and spent the whole time trying to chat up the poor woman? In this horror version of The Office, possibly entitled The Boss From Hell, David Brent would be a stalker/serial-killer type who preys upon young women working at Wernham Hogg. Just imagine him chasing one of his victims through the winding halls of Wernham Hogg while gleefully singing along to Des'ree's Crazy Maze as he once did before, now that would be something really scary. This British psychological slasher would then spawn an American remake several years later, with Steve Carell taking on Gervais' role from the original. It too would gain something of a cult following among contemporary audiences, with some cinemagoers even preferring it to the original. However, there would be those who remained loyal to the original even despite the remakes success.
The Inbetweeners
This cult British sitcom that followed four teenage boys navigating their way through their final school years could easily work as a slasher film. Each character is essentially a stereotype much like the kinds we've seen in countless slashers over the years. Jay is the cocky one who dies a lot later on than he should have, Neil is the funny one who nobody wants to die, Simon probably dies first before he can have sex with Carly, while Will is the logical one who most likely makes it to the end. Naturally the killer would have to be Mr. Gilbert, with his hulking frame and imposing persona, he could easily stand among slasher greats such as Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. After years of dealing with unruly school children, Gilbert would finally be pushed over the edge after having 'bus wanker' shouted at him, leading him into a murderous frenzy. Jesus, after thinking about this one I have now realised how much Greg Davies needs to become a horror film villain, that's something I'd definitely watch.
Malcolm in the Middle
The horror genre has a thing for wild and dangerous children, and no sitcom kids were as wild and dangerous as Malcolm and his brothers. I think Malcolm in the Middle would be a film very much in the vein of Village of the Damned, with the children possessing supernatural abilities and causing straight up havoc in their small town. Reese and Dewey would be the more unhinged and homicidal ones, while Malcolm would be their hyper-intelligent leader much like David from Village of the Damned. Their parents would have to fight for their own survival, with Lois constantly having to protect poor Hal throughout. Meanwhile, Francis could be a Dick Halloran-type character who spends the film racing to the rescue, only to be killed off in the final act. Let's face it, Lois would be a fantastic horror movie heroine with her hard-as-nails attitude and all round resourcefulness, while Hal would act as the perfect comic relief. The film could even end in Funny Games style, with Malcolm breaking the fourth wall as he so often did. If one thing is clear however, you're not the boss of them now.. could be the perfect tagline.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
In The Fresh Prince, Will always felt a bit different compared to Uncle Phil and the family, due to their upper-class lifestyle. As a horror film, The Fresh Prince could expand on what was really going on with the Banks family, acting as a sort of spiritual successor to Get Out in a way. What if Carlton and co. actually suffered the same fate as Lakeith Stanfield's character in Get Out, with old, white people walking around in their bodies after a grizzly brain surgery? It would make sense, the way Carlton talks sounds exactly like the way in which the victims of the Coagula speak in Get Out, so who's to say that it's not actually some old white man bopping around in his head? It would certainly explain the Carlton dance. Of course, Will would survive in the end and escape from Bel-Air once and for all, with the help of his friend Jazzy Jeff, but the horror at that house in Bel-Air would continue to haunt him for the rest of his life. I mean, once we could keep the theme song at some stage then it could definitely work.
Peep Show
With its POV format, Peep Show could actually work really well as a found-footage horror film. If you've seen Adam Wingard's Blair Witch then you'll most likely agree. In this iteration, Mark and Jez decide to start wearing body cams in order to catch the supernatural phenomena happening at Apollo House on video. The paranormal activity would start with small things like plates flying or iPad's being thrown out windows, before moving onto bigger stuff like snakes in the salad spinner or no turkey on Christmas. The increasing supernatural events combined with the natural tension between Jez and Mark would eventually lead both of them to insanity, to the point where they even attempt to kill each other. Mark and Jez have certainly lashed out plenty of times before, but never quite in this manner. This could be the type of film to breathe new life into the found-footage subgenre, and once Super Hans, Johnson, and co. made appearances, then it would definitely be something to remember.
That 70's Show
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Black Christmas, many of the best slasher films hailed from the 70's. That 70's Show could act as a throwback to those type of slasher flicks, in the way that Stranger Things pays homage to 80's pop culture. Picture it as a sort of Dazed and Confused meets Texas Chainsaw type film, with this group of stoned teenagers being hacked to pieces one by one by an unseen killer. The film could have a grainy, retro aesthetic much like Planet Terror, so that it actually looks like it could have been made in the 70's. As well as that, it could throw in numerous pop-culture references and act as a sort of tongue-in-cheek approach to the slasher genre. With throwbacks to the 80's becoming increasingly popular in the media, who's to say that 70's throwbacks couldn't work just as easy? One thing's for certain however, Red Forman would definitely make it to the sequel.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Fans of It's Always Sunny will know that Dennis Reynolds already has the makings of a serial killer, with his charming yet manipulative demeanor often compared to that of American Psycho's Patrick Bateman. As a horror film, It's Always Sunny would follow Dennis' life from his own perspective, tending bar by day, killing people by night, while constantly blurring the lines between what's real and what's inside his head. Glenn Howerton could easily fit into the role of a serial killer, while the rest of the gang could act as supporting characters with whom he interacts throughout the film, going about their own bizarre lives at the same time. Seeing Dennis go full Patrick Bateman on strangers and his colleagues is something that any fan of It's Always Sunny would kill to see. Mix that with some trashy vibes akin to early John Waters films and you've got yourself a horror film that is both strange and unique, just like It's Always Sunny itself.
Father Ted
With its isolated location and religious satire, Father Ted could easily work as a possession-style film in the vein of The Exorcist. Set in the secluded Craggy Island Parochial House, it would follow Ted and his inexperienced colleague Father Dougal, as they attempt to exorcise a demon from Father Jack. Father Jack's violent nature and consistent spewing of profanity are very similar to those of a possessed person, and who knows, demonic possession could even act as a metaphor for Jack's drinking problem. As well as that, the critiques the show made of organised religion could easily be translated to the horror genre, making for a very subversive and potentially controversial horror film. Of course, Mrs. Doyle would break the tension every so often by asking if anyone wants a bit of tea, but overall I think that Father Ted could work as a deadly serious psychological horror about demonic possession, alcoholism, and the struggle with ones faith. Of course, 'My Lovely Horse' would still have to feature at some point, but in the context of horror the song could take on an eerie new meaning instead.
So what sitcoms do you think could work as horror films? I'm sure there's plenty of others out there so let me know if you come up with some!
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