Journey through a hundred years of horror cinema, exploring the changing fears and anxieties of society reflected on the silver screen.
The Birth of the Macabre. Early horror drew from gothic literature, folklore, and cinema, exploring primal fears of the supernatural and the unknown.
Universal Monsters: Archetypes of Terror (1930s-1950s)
The Great Depression and anxieties about science fueled the creation of monster archetypes, reflecting societal unease.
Psychological Horror: The Enemy Within (1960s)
Post-war anxieties and psychoanalysis led to a focus on psychological horror, exploring the darkness within the human mind.
Slasher Films: Violence and Taboo (1970s-1980s)
Changing social mores and anxieties about youth and urban life gave rise to the slasher genre, pushing on-screen violence boundaries.
Body Horror: The Limits of the Flesh (1980s)
Technological advancements and fears of disease and bodily autonomy fueled body horror with a focus on practical effects.
Asian Horror: Cultural Anxieties (1990s-2000s)
Global cultural exchange brought new perspectives, with Asian films exploring anxieties about ghosts, curses, and psychological dread.
Found Footage: The Illusion of Reality (2000s-2010s)
The rise of reality TV and accessible filmmaking blurred fiction and reality, leading to found footage horror's popularity.
Elevated Horror: Art and Anxiety (2010s-Present)
Blends artistic visuals and complex narratives, often tackling deeper themes and contemporary anxieties.
Modern Horror: The Shape of Fear Today
Pandemic-fueled films about isolation, the rise of streaming, and social commentary reflect our ever-changing world and its anxieties.