Hi all!
Welcome to horror month! It’s the spookiest time of year and I have a lot planned for October. Today I’m going to share what to expect on my blog during Halloween season, how I first got into horror, why I love it so much and a quick guide to this underrated genre. We have a lot to cover, so let’s get into it!
ALSO: This month, we are reading ‘The Carrow Haunt‘ by Darcy Coates. Click here to learn more.
What To Expect During Horror Month
At the beginning of every week, I will be posting my top 10 favourite horror games, films, television shows and books. On Thursday’s, there will be some extra fun posts. I won’t reveal every detail, but you can expect a ranking post, a creepy tag and a full review of The Haunting of Bly Manor. I hope you’re excited, because I sure am!
How Did I Get Into Horror?
How does one even become a horror fiend? For me, it all started when I was a teenager. My best friend would come over almost every week, sharing the latest scary film in her collection. We watched The Shining, The Exorcist, House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects, A Clockwork Orange, Saw (multiple times), Secret Window and so much more. At the time, I would act horrified; like she was trying to traumatise me (she did a little, let’s be honest) but I was secretly thrilled. I wanted more. I started searching for jump-scares on YouTube and people playing through some of the most terrifying games. When I was particularly anxious, I would stream horror films on my laptop in my room. That was where I discovered the original IT and fell in love. I kept my passion to myself, because I didn’t want to appear ‘unladylike’ (ugh) or get judged. Now, as an adult, I don’t care about ‘appearances’ anymore. I love horror! There, I said it!
Why Do I Love Horror?
Let’s face it, horror doesn’t have the best reputation. It is typically misunderstood as a tacky genre, that lacks depth or substance. I’m here to tell you that that couldn’t be further from the truth. Horror is surprisingly deep, powerful and compelling. I can accept that it isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but if you have avoided horror purely because of the misrepresentation, I would recommend making up your own mind. Why do I love it? 1.) It actually calms me down. I know this sounds crazy, but studies have shown that some people with anxiety, find horror soothing. It is a fear they can control. This definitely rings true for me. I like that I can choose to feel scared, rather than having fear thrust upon me unexpectedly. 2.) It’s like they say in The Nightmare Before Christmas: “life’s no fun without a good scare.” I enjoy the thrill and anticipation of an impending jump-scene or gruesome display. It’s exhilarating & 3.) Horror isn’t a one-way street. There are many different kinds of genres within horror, that can appeal to varying audiences.
A Quick Guide To Horror
If you’re new to horror, it’s best to figure out what type you’re partial to. Here is a list of scary categories, with a few corresponding examples:
Paranormal: (The Haunting of Hill House) – possession (The Exorcist), demonic activity, ghosts, spirits, poltergeists, witches, occult, curses and the supernatural.
Slasher: (Scream) – crime, redneck (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), cults, home invasion (Hush) and targeting.
Monster: (Dawn of the Dead) – zombies, vampires, werewolves, aliens, classic (Frankenstein), mythological, creatures (Godzilla) and animals (Jaws).
Psychological: (Psycho) – madness, paranoia, phobia, mental illness and distorted reality.
Gore: (Saw) – torture, splatter, cannibalism (The Silence of the Lambs) and extreme.
Survival: (Gerald’s Game) – the elements/nature, apocalyptic, virus (The Happening) and hostage situations.
Body Horror: (The Fly) – mutation, mutilation, disease and unnatural movement.
There’s so much to choose from! I like all the above, but my favourite is paranormal. I’m a sucker for a good haunted house story. What about you?
Thanks so much for reading.
Peace & Love xoxo
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