From Shane Conto

I was never a fan of horror movies when I was younger. First off, I am a big baby when it comes to being scared. There were films like The Mummy that were terrifying to me as a kid (despite probability not being that scary). Signs traumatized me as a 12-year-old seeing that for the first time (but I do love that film so much now). Secondly, I never understood the idea of wanting to be afraid. Sure, there is a rush of emotions that you get while this occurs but that was never something I wanted (which is still the case for me today). But when I finally opened myself up to this whole genre of film, it blew me away. There are so many horror films and television shows that just hit so deeply. But more importantly, we are in a time where horror might be in its prime. So here are some reasons why it is a perfect time for you to take the dive too. 

What is a major driving factor of horror’s success today is that there are plenty of studios who are investing in this genre. Not only that, there is great variety in the content being released. You have A24 which is the central hub for all things arthouse horror. You get to see incredibly talented and bold directors get to fully realize their visions without restraint. What occurs most of the time are projects full of haunting and unnerving cinematic experiences that you will not soon forget. Ari Aster, Robert Eggers, and more get to use this as their playground to produce some of the most well-made films in the genre. These are not your run-of-the-mill horror films and they challenge you on a deeply artistic level. 

Are you looking for more fun and thrilling experiences that feel nostalgic to the time when slashers ruled the world? Blumhouse has your fix. This studio focuses on capturing a pulpy type of horror that leans on slashers and more accessible supernatural horror stories. You can tell they love the 1980s and use that nostalgia well to create some fun new additions to this beloved genre. They might not have the critical consistency of A24 but you will certainly have more fun watching their films (for the most part). They also put out a lot of content so you won’t be waiting for long when their new films roll around. 

Are there any specific talents who are making the world of horror that much more enticing? James Wan. He is so significant due to his work on franchises and expanding them. The horror genre has been built on the back of big franchises from Halloween to A Nightmare on Elm Street to The Exorcist and so many more. Who has filled in that role today? Wan. Saw. The Conjuring. Insidious. His work with Warner Bros. and now his company Atomic Monster has led to an influx in culturally significant series of horror films. Paranormal Activity, Scream, and A Quiet Place all keep things going too. This is a great time to dive headlong into a horror franchise and get lost in their mythology and growing narratives. 

What has made accessing a wide range of horror properties so much easier? Streaming. There is one central hub for horror fans like there has never been before, Shudder. This is the single largest platform for horror fans to fulfill their horror itch. There are plenty of engaging and interesting documentaries made for those horror lovers out there and they give newcomers a fun way to dive into this genre. The most impressive aspect of Shudder is the vast amount of content and the impressive breadth of variety. There are Shudder Originals which do range in quality but there are some top notch horror efforts to enjoy. There is a nice variety of original content, international cinema, big name classics, and under-the-radar gems. You can start off with the classics to build out your experience. You can zest things up with those international offerings. You can refine your tastes with the indie gems sprinkled throughout. The easiest way to tackle this beloved and frightening genre is to go straight to this enormous source. 

Why is it the perfect time for horror? It has never been easier to venture into this classic genre. There is a century of classics to tackle. There is a large volume of new horror content coming your way everyday. There is never a month that goes by without at least a horror flick or two in the cinemas. There are so many entries in the horror genre that are work tackling…even if you are a big baby like myself. 

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