HORROR IN THE YEAR 2026

Eventually all sub-genres of horror go mainstream. Zombies are part of modern language and regularly appear on small and large screens. There is even Zombie media aimed at children. Vampires are abundant in teen fiction and many of the actors playing them are heartthrobs. Frankenstein’s Monster’s latest big screen iteration is a rather tall and handsome chap with an eye for the ladies. Cannibals are now suburban couples with domestic problems and killer Aliens have a heart of gold.

Mad science has become a reality and can be seen in up market shopping malls and at the Golden Globes and the Met Gala, not to mention Trump’s cabinet.

Body Horror has gone from being possibly the most controversial horror sub-genre to receiving critical acclaim.

The old style Universal /Gothic Horror characters have also been making a comeback in recent years. We’ve already seen new versions of The Invisible Man, Nosferatu, Dracula, Frankenstein, Renfield, with The Bride and Werwulf to follow. 

The franchise Horror model rumbles on with Halloween, Scream, Predator, Final Destination, Alien and a number of other long running properties.

The horrors of the real world numb us to a great deal of content that we are exposed to. The world of fictional horror is perhaps the most imaginative of the arts and allows for expansive ideas and stories which can take us away from the grind of negative news.

Why is Horror in such a healthy state right now? It could be that in these unstable, dangerous, anxiety provoking and downright strange times, fictional horror is a light relief.

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: DOWN IN THE TUBE STATION AT MIDNIGHT

Yes the London Underground, that Bastion of London life. People going about their daily routine in an orderly Fashion. Everything remarkably civilised and jolly good mannered all round; except it's not. It's a place of horror, Dystopian nightmare, murder, danger and thorough unpleasantness, particularly on Halloween. MIND THE GAP!

‘The last thing that I saw

As I lay there on the floor

Was "Jesus Saves" painted by an atheist nutter

And a British Rail poster read "Have an Awayday - a cheap holiday -

Do it today!"

I glanced back on my life

And thought about my wife

'cause they took the keys and she'll think it's me

And I’m down in the tube station at Midnight’- Paul Weller 

Underground. Death Line. An American Werewolf in London. Creep. 28 Weeks Later. Quatermass and the pit. Lifeforce. Daleks invasion Earth. Reign of fire. V for Vendetta. 28 Days later.Thunderbirds: Operation Crash Dive

Automatonophobia, and other side effects of Dead of Night

You want trauma? I’ve got trauma; 1945’s Dead of Night. Known for its segment starring Michael Redgrave as an unhinged ventriloquist this portmanteau of terror was, it’s fair to say, my childhood nemesis.

 http://youtu.be/0mOIy5U8eaE

dissected

It’s got the lot: a Ventriloquist dummy (never a scarier artifact in the light entertainment business) Premonitions of death, a Psychiatrist, Victorian ghosts, Haunting, a sinister undertaker, a supernatural mirror, murder, horror at a children’s party, fatal accidents and a twist at the ending.

The children’s party is a harsh reminder of the dangers of wandering off as a child; even in the comparative safety of a sedate Christmas party. The Dorian Gray-esque segment is creepy in the extreme in it's portrayal of vanity, and the Grim Reaper taps on an unsuspecting chaps shoulder to chilling effect.There is some light relief in a story about death and golf, but this is just false hope that things may lighten up.

http://youtu.be/86v2N-GffQM

truly horrifying prison sequence

The Ventriloquist story is, in itself, a clear example of  the evil that lurks inside these pint sized plaster  and paint artificial humans.

The film was responsible for many a sleepless night and is a major factor in my aversion to all things Ventriloquy. I also would be averse to any type of wandering in other people's houses, and think twice before getting on the local bus.

Dead of Night was absolutely bowel opening in it’s eerie and terrifying atmosphere and content. A childhood memory revived by a recent viewing. and guess what? Its still scary!

http://youtu.be/vxYrjz9jQlc

The awful truth