The Horror Genre: From Beelzebub to Blair Witch

by Paul Wells

A comprehensive introduction to the history and key themes of the genre. The main issues and debates raised by horror, and the approaches and theories that have been applied to horror texts are all featured. In addressing the evolution of the horror film in social and historical context, Paul Wells explores how it has reflected and commented upon particular historical periods, and asks how it may respond to the new millennium by citing recent innovations in the genre's development, such as the "urban myth" narrative underpinning Candyman and The Blair Witch Project . Over 300 films are treated, all of which are featured in the filmography.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Horror

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2001

Reviews

[KillerK8]

Quick and dirty intro to the themes of horror

[Aljoša Harlamov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sicer čisto zanimiv kronološki pregled filmske grozljivke v drugem delu, toda prvi del je izredno zmeden - avtor prehaja od teme do teme, ničesar res ne definira ali se poglobi v karkoli. Hitro našteva teorije in se groze loteva z različnih perspektiv, ki pa jih niti dobro ne postavi v kontekst.

[Jason Roller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serves as a good intro to horror films and their themes.

[Laney · Rating 5 out of 5]

another cool read to help me as I navigate my thesis. :) I feel like a learned a lot as a sort of intro to the horror genre and feel excited to delve further into my research.

[Matthew Pridham · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this short but informative survey of the genre, Wells takes readers not only through a history of horror up to the turn of the century, but also lays out in skeletal form some of the ways people have interpreted these movies and novels. I say novels, but this is another history that focuses primarily on movies. He brings in psychology and philosophy in order to examine the big themes of the genre, while never getting so in-depth as to make the book feel like hardcore theory. That said, this is a good one to pick up if you are interested in critical and theoretical approaches to the genre, as well as a quick look at some of its predominant themes and situations.

I reviewed this book for my list of informative and entertaining histories of the horror genre. If you’re interested in similar titles, check out some of my favorites:

https://matthewpridham.wordpress.com/...

[D'kotah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent survey for a quick history and appreciation on a genre I've never really explored.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, brief but extensive introduction to the genre that acknowledges its own faults by only being an introduction. A good little book.