Horror Films

In this article, about what Ridley Scott's classic film "Alien" says about society's relationship with young women, two figures sit against a dark background. A young woman with olive skin and dark hair gazes absent-mindedly in the distance. A xenomorph hovers over her shoulder, baring its teeth in a snarl, as its sharp, knife-like tail looms over her shoulder. Green light of a rather pallor variant shines over their skin, like the light of an emergency alarm.

What 1979’s ‘Alien’ says About Humanity’s Relationship with Sexuality

Hamad Naroze, Hunter College

Exploring what Ridley Scott's "Alien" tells us about humanity’s "protective" relationship over women.…

February 8, 2024

For an article about "Practical Magic" and "The Craft," a woman stares to her left as a mug floats before her face. The TV behind her shows two people looking longingly at each other.

“Practical Magic” & “The Craft”—Fall Films That Embrace Sisterhood

Emma Troise, Manhattan College

Through self-discovery and spells, these films are perfect for cozying up with this fall.…

November 2, 2023

A graphic of Beau with an scared face expression.

How to Watch ‘Beau is Afraid’

Joshua Laine, Emmanuel College

Ari Aster’s newest film is a wild ride; it may help to know what you’re getting into.…

October 12, 2023

In an article on horror movies is an illustration of Ghostface holding a bloody knife against a man's neck. However, the man has an unbothered expression and Ghostface is confused at this lack of fear, a question mark beside his face.

Why Are Recent Horror Movies So Cheesy?

Sarah Deavers, University of Virginia

From “Fresh” to “Scream VI,” a string of rather cliche horror films have hit the screens, causing viewers to wonder why the classic genre has taken such a turn.…

May 31, 2023

A screenshot from bodies bodies bodies shows three main characters staring with fear

‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ Zooms In on the Absurd Gen Z Experience

Alina Edwards, Wellesley College

A24’s new film is both an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery and a biting yet necessary satire of Generation Z culture.…

September 2, 2022

‘Nope’ Is a Fitting Title, For Those Wondering If They Should See It

Kirk Chamberlain, Marist College

Peele's most recent film lives up to its name but not to expectations.…

August 26, 2022

In an article about Smile, an illustration of a character

‘Smile’ Is a Unique, Refreshing Horror Film Coming to Theaters Soon

Morgan Thomas, Wayne State University

Everything you need to know about the cast, plot, trailer and director of the psychological thriller before its September debut.…

August 24, 2022

Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope’ Is Really Two Films in One

Kylie Clifton, Loyola Marymount University

The movie is a refreshing take on the familiar, but it retreads problematic mistakes of its genre and feels like two separate films.…

August 8, 2022

A drawing of a horror film by Peele shows a horse floating in mid-air.

‘NOPE’ Will Let Jordan Peele Build on the Themes He’s Known For — With Perhaps a Few Surprises

Vanessa Rivera, James Madison University

The horror movie could further solidify his reputation as a filmmaker.…

July 18, 2022

‘Crimes of the Future’ Is a Distinctly Queer Film

Maria Merlo, Eastern Michigan University

Cronenberg’s newest movie imagines a future where we say goodbye to vibrators, and hello to bone-saws.…

July 1, 2022

In an article about 'men' a drawing shows women from horror films.

‘Men,’ Like Other ‘Elevated’ Horror, Depicts Women’s Trauma Through Male Eyes

Alina Edwards, Wellesley College

Though directors often use women as protagonists in thriller films, their male perspective turns characters into puppets — and Alex Garland's film is no exception.…

June 18, 2022

Horror character in scary clown mask peeking around the corner of a building at night

Horror Films Have Proven To Be Horrifyingly Bad in Recent Years

Janey Schmidt, Columbia College Chicago

The genre that provides thrills and chills has recently come up relatively short on delivering what its audience expects.…

March 11, 2022

Horror movie characters sit in a movie theater, watching a girl and knife

The Horror Movies of the ’80s Affected the Genre for Decades

Trinity Crompton, Molloy College

Despite their reputation for cheesiness, these films changed the horror game, and our present idea of a scary movie is a result of these classics.…

November 10, 2021

‘Jennifer’s Body’ Is Finally Getting the Recognition It Deserves

Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University

For Gen Z, it’s hard to imagine a time when the comedy-horror film wasn’t a cultural phenomenon, but it’s taken a long time for it to get to where it is today.…

November 9, 2021

‘Halloween’ Remains a Timeless Movie, Even Four Decades On

Rory Conlon, De Anza College

The 1978 low-budget horror film transcends its limitations through technical mastery, keen storytelling and an unforgettable villain.…

October 23, 2021

The ‘Suspiria’ Remake Deserves as Much Hype as ‘Midsommar’ and ‘Hereditary’

Tori Barney, Columbia College Chicago

Although the supernatural horror film possesses many similarities to beloved classics within the genre, it has somehow failed to receive parallel recognition.…

October 17, 2021

A woman from the film Malignant worriedly walks up stairs while holding her back.

‘Malignant’ Presents a Confusing New Parody of Horror

Ian Linn, Oberlin College

James Wan’s newest horror picture is satisfying and entertaining, but viewers hoping for a crowd-pleaser with supernatural scares may be disappointed.…

October 1, 2021

A still from fantasy series, 'Xena: Warrior Princess.'

Muscular Women and High Stakes: Why Lesbians Love Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror

L.R. Staples, Sarah Lawrence College

While some genres continue to rely on outdated tropes like female submission, others provide a beacon of hope for queer female audiences as they portray women as strong, independent leads.…

September 8, 2021

The Evolution of the Horror Genre and Why Some of Its Protégés Fail

Jenna Nelson, Scripps College

Jordan Peele's 'Get Out' prompted other films to attempt the same powerful social commentary, with a few resulting duds.…

August 17, 2021

For an article about elevated horror, an illustration depicts iconography from different psychological thrillers: a woman from Midsommar, the hovering Babadook, and the devil goat from The Witch.

Does Elevated Horror Really Exist?

Kelsi Karpinski, Michigan State University

Or are they just thrillers? Either way, the success of these films is undeniable.…

August 14, 2021

Remembering How ‘The House That Jack Built’ Rattled the Cannes Film Festival

Kelsie Westmoreland, Washington and Lee University

Is writer-director Lars von Trier too connected with the main character of his controversial 2018 horror film?…

July 16, 2021

An illustration of relationships in horror romance films.

Horror Romance Films Illuminate the Light and Dark of Humanity

Karen Lu, Yale University

While it has always been said that there's a fine line between fear and desire, this dynamic is truly exemplified in these works.…

July 4, 2021

R. L. Stine’s ‘Fear Street’ Films Will Offer Nostalgia to an Older Audience

Alexandra Cortez, Trinity University

If you loved the 'Goosebumps' series when you were younger, you have reason to be excited for the new, violent editions of Stine's work.…

June 28, 2021

An illustration based on the film The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It featuring the bloody antagonist with a clawed hand gripping his shoulder. (Illustration by Alicia Paauwe, Oakland University)

‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ Stumbles Through New Territory

Kelsi Karpinski, Michigan State University

The latest installment to the iconic horror franchise attempts to distinguish itself from its predecessors — but may fail to hit the mark.…

June 26, 2021

In an article about A Quiet Place II, A group of three people backlit with red and running from a monster.

‘A Quiet Place Part II’ Makes Noise in Movie Theaters

Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University

A rare sequel that is just as engaging as its predecessor, this film demands to be seen in theaters, where moviegoers can be fully immersed in its thrills and frights.…

June 10, 2021