This. I would add that you don't need to be a fan (let alone a "real fan"—whatever that means) to appreciate horror cinema or have a totally valid take on a film. I love that the internet allows these expansive fan communities to exist, but it's a bit sad that it is simultaneously creating this pressure to be a fan before you can say anything at all.
Something I really enjoy is just making horror the loosest and widest genre ever. Scooby Doo? Horror. Why not. Gatekeeping is silly and dull.
This. I would add that you don't need to be a fan (let alone a "real fan"—whatever that means) to appreciate horror cinema or have a totally valid take on a film. I love that the internet allows these expansive fan communities to exist, but it's a bit sad that it is simultaneously creating this pressure to be a fan before you can say anything at all.
Exactly this. Horror fandom really doesn’t need to be a competition people can just like different things 😂