Monsters, Demons and Psychopaths: Psychiatry and Horror Film

by Fernando Espi Forcen

Descriptions of monsters, vampires, demonic possessions, and psychopaths in horror films have been inspired by psychiatric knowledge about mental illness, leading to several stereotyped models of horror that have prevailed through decades. Some scholars have proposed that horror films can be a teaching tool for psychopathology, but for the most part the genre has been underutilized as a learning tool. This book explores the idea of relating horror films to psychiatric ideas as a way of engaging people in learning.

Genres: Horror, Nonfiction, Film, Psychology

228 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2016

Reviews

[Marvin Arevalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Dean Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delicious book. Each chapter is better than the last. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, with a smile on my face throughout the entire read.
If you enjoy Horror film and love reading about them, then this is definitely for you.
Fans of such magazines like "Rue Morgue" are bound to be fans of this work. I would love to see more from this author.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful read! Nonfiction always takes me longer than fiction because there isn't a linear narrative, but I really enjoyed this book. I especially loved the chapters on vampires, aliens/paranoid horror, and demonic possession. Super interesting!

[Matt Sautman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The audience of this book is largely one who is new to studying psychology. While horror studies scholars may derive some use from this book, better time may be spent skimming as opposed to reading cover-to-cover. New scholars will likely find this book far more transformative.

[Tânia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love monsters and horror films and want to learn more about the psychology behind it, this book is definitely for you. I quite enjoyed learning more about some of my favourite monster films (as well as had a chance to find some nice quotes for my thesis).

[Jay Rothermel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful and fun tour of the horror genre's varied depictions of psychotherapists.