100 American Horror Films

A well-plotted survey of 100 American horror films, from the silent era to contemporary productions, exploring the genre's history, cultural significance, and textual features. The selected films represent the broadest historical range, including major and minor studios, different types of horror, and monsters.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A comprehensive and meticulously researched survey, "100 American Horror Films" by Barry Keith Grant delves into the rich tapestry of one of American cinema's most enduring, diverse, and beloved genres. Spanning from the silent era's "The Avenging Conscience" by D.W. Griffith in 1915 to contemporary masterpieces like Jordan Peele's "Get Out" in 2017, this comprehensive anthology offers a comprehensive overview of the horror genre's evolution. Grant's introduction provides a historical context, situates the films within the broader landscape of American culture, and explores the intricate connections between horror and American society.

Within each entry, Grant delves into the defining elements that make a particular film a horror masterpiece, emphasizing its significance in the genre's history and its relevance within the specific context of American culture and history. He also examines the film's textual features, shedding light on its production processes and offering insightful critical analysis and interpretation.

The selection of 100 films for inclusion in this anthology represents the broadest historical range, encompassing films from both major and minor studios across every decade of American film-making. The genre is explored in its various subgenres, including psychological thrillers, monster terror, gothic horror, home invasion, torture porn, and parody, as well as the diverse array of horror monsters that have terrified audiences over the years, such as werewolves, vampires, zombies, mummies, mutants, ghosts, and serial killers.

"100 American Horror Films" is a testament to the enduring power of horror as a genre and its ability to captivate, disturb, and provoke thought. It serves as a valuable resource for film enthusiasts, scholars, and anyone interested in exploring the dark corners of human imagination and the cultural significance of horror in American society.

Weight: 680g
ISBN-13: 9781839021459