Piranha (1995) Vs. The Devil Bat: (1940)-Horror and Suspense

 

Hailey Spencer  

Film Appreciation 

FILM 115-IN1

Professor Trevor 

October 27th, 2025 

    Although I'm not a massive fan of the horror film genre, I found it incredibly interesting to compare a horror film produced before the 1970s to one made after. The two films I chose are Piranha, which was released in 1995, and The Devil Bat, released in 1940. Although these films were released during different eras, there is one element they have in common as both of these movies prey upon phobias and society's beliefs and associations with certain animals. Piranhas and bats are often associated with death, evil, and bloodlust, especially vampire bats. However, despite both films possessing plots about creatures killing people, there are some noticeable differences between them and the techniques implemented to build tension, create a disturbing atmosphere, and frighten the audience. 

    One difference between these films is the pacing. In The Devil Bat, the pacing is slow and deliberate, while the pacing in Piranha is quicker and more energetic. The Devil Bat's pacing is slower to very methodically build suspense. The film centers around a mystery as a reporter and his photographer attempt to investigate strange deaths that have been occurring. The suspense comes from the audience knowing who the killer is while the characters are completely clueless and attempt to figure out who is responsible. In Piranha, the suspense comes from a race against time, as the audience knows the piranhas are coming, but the resort owner chooses to ignore the warnings. 

    Additionally, there's a difference as to how horror is implemented in these films. The Devil Bat utilizes indirect psychological horror and relies heavily on a paranoid, ominous atmosphere. Unlike Piranha, which relies heavily on bloody, graphic violence, the death scenes in The Devil Bat rely almost entirely on the audience's imagination and don't display a bloody aftermath. Piranha, however, is much more explicit and largely focuses on gore and brutal on-screen violence. The genetically modified piranhas in that film are the primary horror element, while the real horror in The Devil Bat is the mad scientist Dr. Paul Carruthers as he decides who to make his next target. 

    Lastly, there is the use of special effects for the titular murderous creatures present in both films. Since The Devil Bat is a classic low-budget thriller produced in the 1940s, the effects are not only laughably bad but extremely outdated. They range from close-up shots of real bats to the use of an incredibly fake-looking giant bat prop during the attack scenes. The visuals are very unconvincing, and the killer bat more resembles a flying rug than a terrifying threat. However, Piranha, despite being a low-budget television film, managed to have somewhat more convincing effects. It uses a combination of recycled footage from the 1978 version of this film and foam latex puppets. Despite budget constraints, the effects in this film are more sophisticated than those used in The Devil Bat. The fast-paced editing utilized during the attack scenes also helps to build suspense, especially since the piranhas are largely unseen. 

    Overall, The Devil Bat and Piranha are two vastly different horror films with contrasting techniques designed to terrify the audience. While one is a classic low-budget B-movie about a vengeful mad scientist and his murderous creation with slower pacing, an eerie atmosphere, and a style like that of a murder mystery, the other is a quickly-paced, frightening, suspense-driven race to stop a group of genetically engineered piranhas before they reach a summer resort and children's camp. The noticeable lack of gore in The Devil Bat versus the explicit use of violent bloody sequences in Piranha is also notable, as it contrasts what people deemed acceptable to show on screen at the time. These differences not only demonstrate how horror films have changed over time, but also how filmmakers of different eras tap into what fears are most widespread at the time.