Terrors of the Flesh: The Philosophy of Body Horror in Film

The horror and psychological denial of mortality, along with the corruptibility of our flesh, are persistent themes in drama, and body horror films have intensified these themes in increasingly graphic terms. This book explores the relationship between these writers and the various manifestations of body horror in film, including copulation, generation, digestion, mutilation, infection, mutation, disintegration, and extinction.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2020
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

The profound and unsettling exploration of the human condition, encompassing the horror and psychological denial of our mortality, as well as the corruptibility of our flesh, is a persistent theme in the realm of drama. In recent years, body horror films have taken these themes to unprecedented levels of graphic intensity, further amplifying their impact. The aesthetic of body horror finds its roots in the profound and thought-provoking ideas of renowned figures such as the Marquis de Sade, Arthur Schopenhauer, and Friedrich Nietzsche. These philosophers, each in their unique way, demonstrated a deep anxiety about our physical reality and its place in the world.

This book delves into the intricate relationship between these writers and the diverse manifestations of body horror found in film. While David Cronenberg is widely recognized as a master of this genre, it is important to note that body horror encompasses a wide range of variations and interpretations, explored through eight distinct categories: copulation, generation, digestion, mutilation, infection, mutation, disintegration, and extinction.

Through a comprehensive analysis of these categories, this book sheds light on the ways in which body horror serves as a powerful tool for exploring the depths of human nature, challenging societal norms, and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. It explores the ways in which filmmakers have used the grotesque and unsettling imagery of body horror to comment on social, political, and cultural issues, as well as to explore the darker aspects of the human psyche.

In conclusion, body horror films have emerged as a genre that is both captivating and disturbing, offering a unique lens through which to examine the complex and often unsettling aspects of the human condition. By drawing on the rich philosophical and artistic traditions of the past, body horror continues to evolve and push the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of film, providing a thought-provoking and immersive experience for audiences around the world.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 152 x 224 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476682181