It Came From the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror

Horror films have opened up new possibilities for survival and power for the LGBTQ+ community, but their history of heterosexual male gaze, queer-coded villains, and homophobia is difficult to overlook. This collection of essays explores a variety of queer experiences, from first kisses to transition and parenthood, and takes the cultural impact and reciprocal relationship to the LGBTQ+ community seriously.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Saraband

Horror films have had a complex relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. On the one hand, they have provided a source of empowerment and representation for those who have been marginalized. Haunted houses, forbidden desires, and the monstrous can resonate with those who have experienced discrimination and marginalization. However, the genre's history of heterosexual male gaze, queer-coded villains, and sometimes blatant homophobia is also difficult to ignore. This tension creates a complex relationship between horror films and the LGBTQ+ community.

There are as many queer readings of horror films as there are queer people. Edited by Joe Vallese and with contributions from writers such as Kirsty Logan and Carmen Maria Machado, the essays in "It Came from the Closet" bring the particulars of the writers' own experiences, whether related to gender, sexuality, or both, to their unique interpretations of horror films from "Jaws" to "Jennifer's Body."

Exploring a multitude of queer experiences, from first kisses and coming out to transition and parenthood, this collection is diverse and accessible. It leans into the fun of horror while also taking its cultural impact and reciprocal relationship to the LGBTQ+ community seriously.

While horror films have provided a source of empowerment and representation for the LGBTQ+ community, they have also been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and promoting violence against marginalized groups. For example, many horror films have featured queer-coded villains who are portrayed as dangerous and threatening, which can reinforce negative perceptions of LGBTQ+ individuals and contribute to discrimination and violence.

However, there are also examples of horror films that challenge these stereotypes and promote positive representation of LGBTQ+ individuals. For instance, "The Babadook" is a horror film that explores the relationship between a mother and her son, who is haunted by a monster that represents his suppressed homosexuality. The film challenges the idea that monsters are always evil and promotes the idea that LGBTQ+ individuals can be both monstrous and vulnerable.

Overall, the relationship between horror films and the LGBTQ+ community is complex and multifaceted. While horror films have provided a source of empowerment and representation for some, they have also perpetuated harmful stereotypes and promoted violence against marginalized groups. It is important for filmmakers and audiences to critically examine the genre and work towards creating more inclusive and positive representations of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Weight: 240g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913393823