The Paradox of Horror

On this module we will investigate ‘the paradox of horror’ - why audiences of horror cinema find films which are designed to shock, disgust and frighten so entertaining, enjoyable and appealing. In addressing this question, a range of theoretical approaches will be examined, including genre theory, psychoanalytic criticism, spectatorship, philosophy, social-psychology and ideology. We will consider horror both as a genre and as a product of social, historical and industrial forces, relating generic shifts to shifts in production and cultural context. We will explore the attractions of a range of horror films (including the slasher film, vampire cinema, and Body Horror) for different audiences, including teens, women, and ‘gore hounds’. Finally, we will address the political and cultural functions of horror, examining issues of censorship and the regulation of media industries. To this end, we will address issues arising from the debates surrounding the horror genre, specifically what roles horror films play in society and in individuals lives, and whether they are merely harmless entertainment or are likely to ‘deprave and corrupt’.