Horror has been a part of popular culture for centuries, with its roots in folklore, literature, and film. From classic horror films to modern television series and video games, horror has become an integral part of modern entertainment. This article will explore the impact of horror on popular culture, both past and present.
What is
The definition of horror is somewhat subjective and can vary from person to person. Generally, horror is a genre of fiction that evokes fear, dread, and terror in its audience. Horror is often characterized by its use of suspense, atmosphere, and the supernatural.
History of Horror
The history of horror can be traced back to ancient folklore and mythology. Tales of ghosts, demons, and monsters have been around since the dawn of storytelling, and these stories have evolved over time to become the horror stories we know today. The modern horror genre has its roots in 19th century gothic literature, such as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Early Films
The earliest horror films can be traced back to the silent era, with films such as Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. These films used expressionist cinematography and special effects to create a sense of dread and terror in the audience. As film technology improved, so did the production value of horror films, leading to the golden age of horror in the 1930s and 1940s.
Remakes and Special Effects
As film technology advanced, so did the production value of horror films. Special effects and remakes became more commonplace in horror films, allowing filmmakers to create more elaborate and terrifying scenes. Notable horror remakes include The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Thing, and The Haunting.
Cult Classics
The 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of cult classics such as The Evil Dead, The Exorcist, and Halloween. These films had a huge impact on popular culture, and their themes and imagery can still be seen in modern horror films.
Subgenres
The horror genre has spawned numerous subgenres such as slasher, supernatural, and body horror. These subgenres have become popular in their own right, with films such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Shining, and The Fly becoming iconic horror films.
Early Television
Horror has been a part of television since its inception, with shows such as The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits being some of the earliest horror shows on television. These shows used suspense and atmosphere to create a sense of dread in the viewer.
Anthology Series
Anthology series, such as Tales from the Darkside and The Ray Bradbury Theater, became popular in the 1980s and 1990s. These shows featured a variety of horror stories, from classic tales to original stories.
Modern Series
Modern television series such as The Walking Dead and American Horror Story have become immensely popular, with their popularity leading to a resurgence of interest in the horror genre. These shows use contemporary storytelling techniques to tell stories of terror and suspense.
Early Music
Horror has been a part of music since the beginning of recorded music. Classical composers such as Franz Liszt and Modest Mussorgsky wrote compositions evoking feelings of terror and dread. Later, metal and punk bands such as Black Sabbath and The Misfits wrote songs inspired by horror films and literature.
Modern Music
In modern music, horror has become a more prominent influence. Artists such as Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and Slipknot have used horror imagery and themes in their music. Horror-inspired music has become increasingly popular, with the genre becoming more mainstream in recent years.
Early Literature
Horror literature has been around since the 19th century, with authors such as Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker writing classic horror stories. Later, authors such as Stephen King and Anne Rice wrote novels that pushed the boundaries of horror and became bestsellers.
Modern Literature
In recent years, horror literature has become more diverse, with authors exploring a variety of themes and subgenres. Authors such as Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, and Joe Hill have written horror novels that have become bestsellers and have been adapted into films and television series.
Early Video Games
The earliest horror-themed video games date back to the 1980s, with classic games such as Alone in the Dark and Resident Evil being some of the first horror games. These games used a variety of techniques, such as limited resources and jump scares, to create a sense of dread and horror in the player.
Modern Video Games
In modern video games, horror has become a more prominent genre, with games such as the Silent Hill and Dead Space series becoming popular. These games use advanced graphics and gameplay mechanics to create a more immersive horror experience for players.
Early Art
Horror-themed art has been around for centuries, with artists such as Francisco Goya and Edvard Munch creating artworks that evoke feelings of terror and dread. Later, artists such as H.R. Giger and Frank Frazetta created artwork inspired by horror films and literature.
Modern Art
In recent years, modern artists have embraced horror in their work. Artists such as Ashley Wood and Mondo have created artwork inspired by classic horror films and modern horror video games.
What is
Cosplay is a form of performance art in which participants dress up as characters from films, TV shows, books, and video games. It has become increasingly popular in recent years, and horror characters have become increasingly popular in cosplay.
Early Cosplay
The earliest horror cosplay can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s, with fans dressing up as characters from classic horror films such as Halloween and The Evil Dead.
Modern Cosplay
In modern cosplay, horror characters have become increasingly popular, with fans dressing up as characters from modern horror films and video games such as The Conjuring and Dead by Daylight.
Early Pop Culture
Horror has been a part of popular culture since its inception, with classic films such as Frankenstein and Dracula becoming iconic films. Later, films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Exorcist became cult classics and had a huge impact on popular culture.
Modern Pop Culture
In recent years, horror has become even more pervasive in popular culture, with films such as Get Out and IT becoming box office sensations. Horror-themed television series such as The Walking Dead and American Horror Story have also become hugely popular, and horror video games such as Resident Evil and Outlast have become bestsellers.
Early Impact
The earliest horror films and literature had a profound impact on society, with films such as Frankenstein and Dracula becoming iconic films and books becoming bestsellers. Later, films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Exorcist had a huge impact on popular culture and sparked the modern horror genre.
Modern Impact
Modern horror films and television series have had a huge impact on society, with films such as Get Out and IT becoming box office sensations and television series such as The Walking Dead and American Horror Story becoming hugely popular. Horror video games have also become popular in recent years, with games such as Resident Evil and Outlast becoming bestsellers.
Summary of Findings
This article has explored the impact of horror on popular culture, both past and present. Horror has been a part of popular culture for centuries, and its influence can be seen in film, television, music, literature, video games, art, and cosplay. Horror has had a profound effect on society, both in the past and in the present.
Future of Horror
The future of horror looks bright, with filmmakers, authors, and game developers continuing to explore the genre. As new technologies emerge, horror will continue to evolve and become more immersive and terrifying than ever before.
References
1. History of Horror: A Brief Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/history-of-horror
2. Horror Genres. (2020, January 8). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_film_genres
3. Horror TV Shows. (2020, January 28). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_horror_television_programs
4. Early Horror Music. (2020, January 8). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_music#Early_horror_music
5. Horror Literature. (2020, January 8). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_literature
6. Early Horror Video Games. (2020, January 8). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_video_game#Early_horror_video_games
7. What is Cosplay? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.reeds.com/blog/what-is-cosplay/
8. Pop Culture Horror. (2020, January 8). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_in_popular_culture
