Terror and Everyday Life: Singular Moments in the History of the Horror Film

by Jonathan Lake Crane

How does the horror in film relate to the horror we experience in everyday life? This is one of the questions addressed in this examination of the genre of horror film. The author argues that horror films today have broken with the tradition of the genre to embrace far more violent imagery, images that are in keeping with the escalating violence in society. By examining the horror film, its history and its current trends, the author hopes to further our understanding of the meaning of the genre in today′s culture and our fascination with violence.

Genres: Film

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 1994

Reviews

[spitesmite · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book. probably the best book on modern horror movies that i have read recently. covers a lot of ground and doesn't dabble too much in the mechanical/academic aspects of film theory. "goes for the throat," so to speak. places more emphasis on the "why" of horror and less on the "how" and "what." is also very readable: Jonathan Crane has a very clear, very personal style of writing. if you only read one book on horror movies, this would be a great choice.