Why Theory Contemporary Horror
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Oct 14, 2024 The hosts explore the evolution of contemporary horror, discussing iconic films from 'Night of the Living Dead' to 'It Follows.' They analyze themes of monstrosity, societal reflections, and casting choices that highlight racial tensions. The character of Jack Torrance in 'The Shining' is examined alongside its unique cinematic techniques. They delve into the effective horror of unseen monsters in 'Blair Witch Project' and 'Paranormal Activity,' while also linking horror narratives to cultural critiques like ageism and feminism in media.
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Zombies as Subjects Without Drive
- Night of the Living Dead presents zombies as subjects without drive, lacking the singularity indexed by our death drive.
- This film marks a shift in horror, using zombies for social commentary, not just as animated corpses.
The Mega Minute Game
- Ryan introduces a "mega minute" segment, rolling dice to determine a topic from the past decade.
- This adds a playful, yet potentially annoying, element to the podcast.
Stephen King's Horror
- Stephen King's horror succeeds by twisting implicitly understood fears into literal horrors.
- He makes relatable anxieties explicit, amplifying their impact.