Terrors of the Flesh: The Philosophy of Body Horror in Film

by David Huckvale

The horror and psychological denial of our mortality, along with the corruptibility of our flesh, are persistent themes in drama. Body horror films have intensified these themes in increasingly graphic terms. The aesthetic of body horror has its origins in the ideas of the Marquis de Sade and the existential philosophies of Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche, all of whom demonstrated that we have just cause to be anxious about our physical reality and its existence in the world.

This book examines the relationship between these writers and the various manifestations of body horror in film. The most characteristic examples of this genre are those directed by David Cronenberg, but body horror as a whole includes many variations on the theme by other figures, whose work is charted here through eight copulation, generation, digestion, mutilation, infection, mutation, disintegration and extinction.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horror

196 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2020

Reviews

[Holger Haase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Body Horror is mainly associated with the early films of David Cronenberg focusing very much on splattery depictions of decay of the human form. These and other similar productions are one focus of this wonderful tome, however, the author also extends the traditional definition for this fairly modern horror subgenre by going back to a range of more classic productions, even as far back as silent cinema. Hell, even Tom and Jerry get referenced!

This is an academic tome that liberally quotes the likes of Nietzsche, Schopenhauer and Wagner to illustrate various points regarding the human condition. It is, however, not a dry read but a very entertaining excursion into a much maligned form of cinema and choke full of thoughtful analysis.

Methinks this will not be the only book by David Huckvale that I will enjoy reading.

[Leo H · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit disappointing - lots of spelling and grammatical errors (used 'formally' when it should have been 'formerly', etc), several factual errors (Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man referred to as DC superheroes - both are fairly famous Marvel characters, Das Cabinet Des Dr Caligari given a release year of 1919 when it's actually 1920, etc) as well as a whole heap of glib and trite 'We Live In A Society'-type observations/conclusions ('We think mad people are the mad people, but what if it's sane people who are the mad people?!?! ') had me rolling my eyes quite often.

Some interesting and insightful stuff, and it's given me one or two avenues to investigate for further research, but a disappointment overall. I nearly paid £35 for this on Amazon, very very glad I found a second-hand copy on eBay for £10 instead.

[Trauermaerchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this for a general overview. I don't think this is the best book to pick if you want an intense, in-depth analysis of body horror but it offers up a couple of different aspects to analyse and connect.

For an academic book this is also quite accessibly written so I think this would be a great read for a large chunk of horror fans.

[Miguel Lupián · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encantó su propuesta de abordar el subgénero a través de ocho grandes temas: Copulación, Generación, Digestión, Mutilación, Infección, Mutación y Desintegración/Extinción (más Consuelo, que me hizo recordar a Ligotti).