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Horror Films by Subgenre: A Viewer's Guide
More horror movies are produced and released each year than any other film genre. While horror enjoys broad popularity, many hardcore fans voraciously consume films from their favorite subgenres while avoiding others entirely. This says something interesting about the films and their audiences. This primer and reference guide defines and explores 75 alphabetically listed subgenres of horror film, from Abduction to Witchcraft and two Zombie subgenres. Each sizeable entry provides a critical survey of the subgenre, a detailed examination of its characteristic elements and themes, and a discussion of three or four exemplary titles as well as other titles of interest.
- GenresHorror
252 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 9, 2016
Chris and Kathleen Vander Kaay have penned a book which is insightful, hilarious and extremely motivating. It makes me glad I am a horror film fan and has expanded my list of "must see" films significantly. They have sub divided the horror film genre into 75 subgenres - each of which has distinctive and recognizable characteristics. Examples of the subgenres explored include: Creepy Kid Horror; Redneck Horror; Old People Horror (ouch that one hurt); Split Personality Horror; and Terror in Suburbia Horror.
Each subgenre has an overall description; unique characteristics; and 3 examples of films which exemplify the subgenre. They close out each subgenre with other films which also typify the subgenre, but did not make the cut to be described in detail. Each description is about 2 - 3 pages long - and all are very readable.
But the best thing about "Subgenre" is the insight and humor in the writing. The Vander Kaays have a unique ability to "unpack" the subgenre and present it in a way which is concise, yet deep enough to be insightful and challenging. More than once I said "I always realized that, but never articulated it." They have a very quirky and intriguing sense of what the world is like and how we react to that world - as evidenced by our viewing choices.
Their ideas concerning alien horror, abduction horror, demon-possession horror and crime horror are outstanding and the best writing I have seen as a critique of movies. You really have to read them to see what I mean.
I have a number of books in my library which deal with fear, terror, writers and producers of the horror culture. But none of them have thrilled me like "Subgenre" did. Do yourself a favor - buy it - start devouring it. If you love horror, you will not be able to help yourself.
Each subgenre has an overall description; unique characteristics; and 3 examples of films which exemplify the subgenre. They close out each subgenre with other films which also typify the subgenre, but did not make the cut to be described in detail. Each description is about 2 - 3 pages long - and all are very readable.
But the best thing about "Subgenre" is the insight and humor in the writing. The Vander Kaays have a unique ability to "unpack" the subgenre and present it in a way which is concise, yet deep enough to be insightful and challenging. More than once I said "I always realized that, but never articulated it." They have a very quirky and intriguing sense of what the world is like and how we react to that world - as evidenced by our viewing choices.
Their ideas concerning alien horror, abduction horror, demon-possession horror and crime horror are outstanding and the best writing I have seen as a critique of movies. You really have to read them to see what I mean.
I have a number of books in my library which deal with fear, terror, writers and producers of the horror culture. But none of them have thrilled me like "Subgenre" did. Do yourself a favor - buy it - start devouring it. If you love horror, you will not be able to help yourself.
Displaying 1 of 1 review