Cult-Classic Film Costumes don’t get Recognized Anymore

 

Cult-Classic Film Costumes don’t get Recognized Anymore

Clare-Estelle Perkins

No one recognized my Halloween costume this year! I spend every year anticipating Halloween and trying to determine what I want to go as. Having a partner who has never truly celebrated Halloween I took the liberties in choosing our couple's costume, as he was relatively impartial. As enthusiastic as I am about Halloween, I love films even more. Blending these two passions (and taking into consideration our college student budget) I settled on going as Leon and Mathilde, the two main characters from Luc Besson's 1994 film, Leon the Professional. 

Now, in my mind, this was a popular film and would be an identifiable costume. I remember having spoken with many people about the film and in costume research it seemed that there have been several others my age to dress up as these characters for Halloween in the past. Putting together the costume was easy, we already had the clothes in our closet except a thrifted black trench coat. 

However, when the day came, my partner and I received so many “What is your costume?” questions. “Can you remind me what movie you guys are from?” asked our good friend Seraya Grace, the host of a Halloween party we attended. By the end of the night, we were recognized only once and tiresomely showed pictures of the iconic characters to help people understand our costumes. 

It made me wonder if our costume was really such a niche. Leon the Professional has, for years, been recognized as a cult-classic film. I was shocked to realize that it has no traction among my generation.