Horror Film and Psychoanalysis: Freud's Worst Nightmare

Cambridge Studies in Film

by Steven Jay Schneider (Editor)

This volume finds the proper place of psychoanalytic thought in critical analysis of cinema through a series of essays that debate its legitimacy, utility, and validity as applied to the horror genre. It distinguishes itself from previous work in this area through the self-consciousness with which psychoanalytic concepts are employed and the theorization that coexists with interpretations of particular horror films and subgenres.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Horror, Psychology, Philosophy

318 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Steven Jay Schneider is a film critic, scholar, and producer with M.A. degrees in Philosophy from Harvard University and in Cinema Studies from New York University. He is the author and editor of numerous books on world cinema, most notably in the horror genre. They include Eurohorror, The Cinema of Wes Craven: An Auteur on Elm Street, Designing Fear: An Aesthetics of Cinematic Horror, Killing in Style: Artistic Murder in the Movies, Understanding Film Genres, and Traditions in World Cinema. He is also a consultant for film, television, and home video/DVD production companies, a curator for world horror film programs, and a staff member in development for Paramount Pictures. Among his recent titles are 501 Movie Stars and 501 Movie Directors, both available in North America from Barron's. Two additional titles from Barron's are scheduled for publication in Spring 09. They are 101 Horror Movies You Must See Before You Die and 101 Sci-Fi Movies You Must See Before You Die.

Reviews

[~]

This is probably the best edited volume I’ve ever read. Schneider clearly put a lot of effort into editing the book and facilitating meaningful dialog among the contributors. It’s also one of the best examples I’ve seen where authors with fundamentally opposed perspectives engage with one another seriously and where the book isn't designed to suggest a clear ‘winner’ in the debates. Schneider’s chapters, especially the intro, are among the best contributions. (It’s no surprise that he dropped his PhD to become a producer; it’s a loss for readers but he knew he was smart enough to succeed in the field). The book’s relevance also extends far beyond its titular subject matter. It provides a wealth of insight into the philosophy of science and theory that left me with a lot to think over and that I imagine would be interesting even for many readers with no particular interest in psychoanalysis or horror film.

[BT]

The chapters are just dudes arguing with papers they've read over the legitimacy of Freudian theory when applied to horror films. I don't need an argument for it — I'm curious about the actual practice itself.

[Alex]

I'm not sure a 60% success ratio in a collection of essays is the best batting average. But the good ones are damn good.

[luz livida]

Uncanny; Fear is to desire what was depressed; The male genital but grown on the old female body; Feminism in horror films