My Horror Favourites

I was looking for films to watch the other day, and I came to the realisation that my taste in horror has changed drastically in just a couple of years. There are some aspects that remain the same (I'm looking at you stop motion), but not only have my preferences changed, but my writing has also developed in terms of subject matter. I thought that it would be interesting to post my current favourites as this year comes to an end, and perhaps we can revisit it at a later date to see if and how they change. Most of the media that I consume is somewhat predictable, which is in part why it is so interesting to me. To be able to look at my writing and draw connections between the work that inspires me is so wonderous.

Before I begin, I would like to thank the hit show Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids for making me the fucked up person that I am today. R.I.P.

Writers/ Literature

My taste in writers has changed a lot over time but there have been a few constants. The first of course, is Shirley Jackson. I've been obsessed with her and her writing for as long as I can remember, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle was the first novel that made me feel that creeping sense of unease and discomfort. As I started to develop a love for body horror, I also began to explore writers who specialised in that area and fortunately for me, I discovered Junji Ito. His work is fantastic and twisted and his illustrations are disgustingly beautiful. The Enigma of Amigara Fault will always haunt me, and one day (when I am financially able) I aim to have a whole bookshelf dedicated to him and his works. Another pillar of body horror, particularly to a short story writer such as myself, is Eric LaRocca. He is an author I recommend again and again, and his short story collections have been inspiring on so many levels. Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke was a huge inspiration for my masters dissertation, and I'm a lot closer to having a dedicated LaRocca shelf. He makes me sick. A new discovery this year, through the audiobook format, is Eliza Clark. Boy Parts was the perfect blend of everyday and unsettling, and whilst I would say (arguably) that it is a lot less disturbing than some of my other favourites, but I loved it so much. It was ironically cosy, and the best audiobook I have ever listened to. Also, honourable mention to James Herbert. I adored The Rats and it may be my favourite horror book of all time. I love little freaks.

A little sidenote for essays/ nonfiction. If you are a horror fan/ writer I HIGHLY recommend reading any essay by Barbara Creed. Her work has completely flipped how I see the genre, and The Monstrous-Feminine is an absolute classic.

Movies

My taste in horror films is the same as it always has been. Stop Motion horror, in my opinion, tops everything else. By stop motion horror, what I mean isn't necessarily horror films created with stop motion (although they are always excellent) but I also mean the uncanny presence of stop motion in other films. Films from the sixties, for example, like Jason and the Argonauts where the live action cast fight off against stop motion skeletons that are animated at a lower framerate. Films like that tend to creep me out more often than intentional horror; the presence of something that is out of place and uncanny is hard to shake off. My go to favourites are pretty common and are always rewatchable whatever mood I'm in. The House by Enda Walsh, Coraline by Henry Selick, Mad God by Phil Tippett. All classics that make me who I am and have a heavy involvement in my writing. I also love films that are stop motion in essence. Rabbits by David Lynch, for example, fits into this category perfectly. Live action actors wearing rabbit heads doing mundane things. Creepy, uncanny (and also an inspiration for my script Lobotomy). You can find the film on YouTube (it's 40 mins but it's a great background film), I highly recommend it. Oh and also anything body horror related. The Saw Series, although poorly acted and written, is a classic that I return to time and time again.

Games

I love watching almost all horror games (except for shooters, they tend to bore me and aren't as scary), but there are two that I always come back to. The first is Little Nightmares, reminiscent of Coraline it's a cosy horror game where the character design is so uncanny and unsettling. The second game, perhaps a bit out of left field, but I adore Outlast. You play as a reporter trapped in an asylum, and I love the lack of violence (from the player at least) forcing them to rely on hiding and (forgive me) outlasting enemies is such a cool and interesting format. Both of these games are replayable no matter my mood, or how many times I've played them.

Art

As far as art goes, I am a huge fan of uncanny puppets. In some ways, despite my admiration for them, even the Muppets can make me feel uneasy. The worst of them all though (so far) is Hartley Hare. Watch clips of him on YouTube, you'll see what I mean. Terrifying. Older puppets with beady eyes and shifty mannerisms freak me the fuck out and I love them. On the other hand, I also love old pulp covers of horror books. Whilst it doesn't scare me, the art is always spectacular and I aim to decorate my writing space with posters and postcards of pulp classics like The Rats.

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope this has been interesting and insightful! I hope your reading and writing is thriving.

All the best,

Talia