White Terror: The Horror Film from Obama to Trump

White respectability hides a deep well of terror, explored in Russell Meeuf's White Terror, which reveals how horror films during the Obama era influenced the Trump presidency and the Make America Great Again movement. The film examines how themes of home invasion, exorcism, possession, and hauntings reflect cultural debates around White masculinity, class, religion, and more, and how the horror film industry capitalizes on this fear to draw voters to candidates like Trump.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2022
Publisher: Indiana University Press

White respectability is a topic that has been explored in many US horror films between 2008 and 2016. These films often revolve around themes of White, patriarchal fear and fragility, with outsiders disrupting the sanctity of the almost always White family, evil forces or transgressive ideas transforming loved ones, and children dying when White women eschew traditional maternal roles. Horror film has a long history of radical, political commentary, and Russell Meeuf reveals how racial resentments represented specifically in horror films produced during the Obama era gave rise to the Trump presidency and the Make America Great Again movement.

White Terror explores how motifs of home invasion, exorcism, possession, and hauntings mirror cultural debates around White masculinity, class, religion, socioeconomics, and more. In the vein of Jordan Peele, White Terror exposes how White mainstream fear affects the horror film industry, which in turn cashes in on that fear and draws voters to candidates like Trump.

One of the key themes of White Terror is the idea of the "other" and the fear of the unknown. Outsiders are often portrayed as dangerous and threatening, and their presence in the White family is seen as a threat to its stability and purity. This fear is often rooted in historical events such as slavery, colonization, and immigration, and it is perpetuated by media and popular culture.

Another theme of White Terror is the idea of evil forces or transgressive ideas transforming loved ones. This can be seen in films such as The Conjuring, where a family is haunted by a demonic presence, and Don't Breathe, where a blind man is terrorized by a group of criminals. These films often use fear to manipulate the audience and to make them feel uncomfortable.

Children dying when White women eschew traditional maternal roles is also a common theme in White Terror. This can be seen in films such as The Shining, where a young boy is possessed by a demonic entity, and The Exorcist, where a young girl is possessed by a demon. These films often use fear to reinforce gender roles and to make women feel powerless.

White Terror also explores the idea of home invasion. This can be seen in films such as The Purge, where a group of criminals break into a house and kill everyone inside, and The Strangers, where a group of strangers terrorize a family in their home. These films often use fear to create a sense of suspense and to make the audience feel vulnerable.

Exorcism is also a common theme in White Terror. This can be seen in films such as The Exorcist, where a young girl is possessed by a demon, and The Conjuring, where a family is haunted by a demonic presence. These films often use fear to create a sense of tension and to make the audience feel scared.

Possession is also a common theme in White Terror. This can be seen in films such as The Exorcist, where a young girl is possessed by a demon, and The Conjuring, where a family is haunted by a demonic presence. These films often use fear to create a sense of tension and to make the audience feel scared.

Hauntings are also a common theme in White Terror. This can be seen in films such as The Conjuring, where a family is haunted by a demonic presence, and The Shining, where a young boy is possessed by a demonic entity. These films often use fear to create a sense of suspense and to make the audience feel scared.

One of the key ways that White Terror affects the horror film industry is by cashing in on fear. Horror films are often marketed to a wide audience, and they are designed to scare the audience. This can be done by using graphic violence, jump scares, and other techniques. However, this can also have negative consequences, such as promoting fear and violence in society.

Another way that White Terror affects the horror film industry is by drawing voters to candidates like Trump. Horror films are often seen as a form of entertainment, but they can also be used to promote political agendas. For example, the Trump campaign used horror films to promote its message of fear and violence.

White Terror also has a negative impact on the mental health of the audience. Horror films can be stressful and anxiety-inducing, and they can have a negative impact on people's mental health. This can be particularly true for people who have experienced trauma or who have mental health disorders.

To address these issues, it is important to promote diversity and inclusion in the horror film industry. This can be done by hiring more diverse actors and filmmakers, by creating more diverse and inclusive storylines, and by promoting awareness of mental health issues.

In conclusion, White respectability is a topic that has been explored in many US horror films between 2008 and 2016. These films often revolve around themes of White, patriarchal fear and fragility, with outsiders disrupting the sanctity of the almost always White family, evil forces or transgressive ideas transforming loved ones, and children dying when White women eschew traditional maternal roles. Horror film has a long history of radical, political commentary, and Russell Meeuf reveals how racial resentments represented specifically in horror films produced during the Obama era gave rise to the Trump presidency and the Make America Great Again movement. White Terror explores how motifs of home invasion, exorcism, possession, and hauntings mirror cultural debates around White masculinity, class, religion, socioeconomics, and more. By promoting diversity and inclusion in the horror film industry, we can help to address these issues and to create a more inclusive and safe society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253060389