Daily Debate: Which Piece Of Zelda Lore Has the Most Potential to Become a Horror Movie?
Posted on November 03 2020 by John Piland
The Legend of Zelda franchise features no shortage of ghosts and ghouls. Hiding within every nook and cranny of the lore are creepy baddies and monsters plucked straight from someone’s worst nightmare — I’m looking at you, Dead Hand. As such, it’s only appropriate to ask: Which bit of Zelda lore has the most potential to be turned into a horror movie?
Imagine a young Link trapped all alone at the bottom of the well, endlessly pursued by ReDeads and Dead Hands, or Princess Zelda trapped in a nightmare for years on end. The possibilities are almost boundless. However, one of the stories I think has the most potential to become a horror story isn’t quite as obvious as the undead or a crashing moon. Rather, it involves a creepy clown from a demonic-like world trapping people in paintings for his nefarious desires. That’s right, it’s Yuga from A Link Between Worlds. I mean, what’s a greater symbol of fear than a killer, demonic clown?
Now, the premise of this otherworldly horror? People across the lands of Hyrule start to go missing, one by one. The culprit? A demonic clown who breaks out of walls and traps people in the second dimension and drags them into the unknown. Any moment alone could mean abduction. What happens when the clown takes his victims? Why does he do it? No one knows. No where is safe — any flat, vertical surface is an opportunity for this monster to take its next victim. Houses and villages are a death sentence, yet going out into the wilderness means putting yourself at the mercy of the ferocious beasts waiting for their next meal to come along. What do you do? Where do you go? And what can you do? I believe such a story would captivate fear and hopelessness — all keys to crafting a great horror.
What do you think? What piece of Zelda lore, from the games to the manga and beyond, would make the best horror story? Let us know in the comments below!
John has been a Zelda fan for over 10 years now and is proud to say the series has had a major impact on his life (and wallet). After years of going to Zelda Dungeon for guides or the latest news on the series, John achieved their dream when they joined the writing team in 2019; John can hardly believe how long it’s been. A librarian, he loves meticulously arranging his library of Zelda games and collectibles. After what felt like an eternity of waiting for Tears of the Kingdom, John looks forward to the future of the Zelda franchise with enthusiasm, whether that’s the upcoming movie, a new spin-off/remake, or the next big game.