This presentation will provide a brief overview of the horror movie genre from Georges Méliès’ Le Manoir du Diable in 1896 to contemporary movies, such as Late Night with the Devil and Longlegs.

We will consider the psychology of fear and try to understand what “horror” means. We’ll also explore specific horror movies in the context of historical, cultural, social, economic, and political events. The presentation will touch upon important issues that the horror genre has tackled, including racism, grief, sexuality, technology, othering, environmentalism, mental health, war, and consumerism. We’ll review some of horror’s subgenres, including giallo/slasher, ecohorror, body horror, psychological horror, folk horror, found footage, extreme horror, and exploitation movies. Finally, we’ll examine some of horror’s cinematic sins, including its treatment of women, and the trope of conveying villainy or monstrosity through physical differences or disabilities.

Students will receive a QR code to access a list of the movies and themes discussed during this event.

Presenter: Neva Bryan