Assignment Two

When we think of horror, the first thing that comes to our minds are movies that depict
unforgivable violent killers in a bloody scene or maybe an exorcism that goes wrong or an excess
of gore that leaves some audience feeling uncomfortable. Some people may leave their seats at a
movie theater and keep the lights on when they go to sleep. Other may find themselves at in their
same place watching a horror movie because they are enthralled by the scenes that give them a
rush of excitement. Horror by itself does not depict scenes that are visually appealing to an
average audience, but it may incite strong emotional reactions from those who are looking to
experience some sort of adrenaline as noted by Rob Zombie in Ulabys (2007) radio broadcast.
Horror is indeed taboo and unappealing to some, which has made it rather unpopular in
mainstream culture. But the rise of horror/thriller genre shows in TV networks has shined some
light to the genre (Jowett & Abbott, 2013).
The most prominent series to date is American Horror Story, which is now running on its
fifth season. Its nationwide success has caught the attention of critics who are not all too fond of
the nonstop gore and sexually explicit scenes each season has. But because it is a show that has
gone outside of the norms from a drama series that is broadcasted nationwide, it has gained
immense popularity amongst different age groups especially in older teens. I am, for one, a part
of the fan base this show has grown because of its endless plot twists. Despite the excess graphic
scenes, I enjoy the show because of the raw emotions that the characters display which is what
horror is about. American Horror Story is one of many horror series that has become popular and
has served a large fan base who looks for another exhilarating episode that leaves them wanting
more.

Horror films have often received negative reviews by other groups of people because it
may be seen as too extreme for them (Ulaby, 2007). There is no denying that some horror films
depict vile scenes but it is all a part of the entertainment that people want for pleasure. It has
become apparent that horror itself has increased in popularity especially because audiences have
access to more TV series of that particular genre. Because horror is becoming popular in
television series, it has slowly inched its way into mainstream culture and making others
reconsider that it may no longer be taboo.
Literature Review
One chapter from the book TV Horror: Investigating the Dark Side of the Small Screen,
titled, discusses how other TV shows, for example Dexter or the Pushing Diaries balances out
the style of horror and gore with the narrative of the show, by mixing other genres in such as
comedy or fantasy. The excess of horror, especially the gore associated with it, is essentially
moderated by these other genres to keep audiences attracted to the plot of the show. But the style
or elements of these TV series, maintain the aspect of horror and not knowing what is going to
happen next with their visual effects, lights, angles or even the characters themselves. Despite
TV networks limitations regarding its censorship/broadcast rules, the horror genre is essentially
becoming part of that mainstream. And the first episode of the first season of American Horror
Story seemed to initiate this change in mainstream TV. The pilot episode became a topic of
criticism by Holmes in the NPR article, 'American Horror Story': Love It or Hate It, It's A Horror
Show for Sure, as a outrageous excess horror genre which contains no censorship to its scenes.
American Horror Story has indeed tied in several scenes that cross such normally accepted
boundaries just by the first episode alone, which includes sex, daunting music and unusual gorey

visuals no one would expect. This brings in to light that horror is made to shock people, especially
since it is fast paced, and not everyone is supposed to find it appealing.
In an excerpt from the book Horror Film: Creating and Marketing Fear, Simpson
explains how the horror films can achieve the title of an event movie which is when it receives
enough media attention to draw in other audiences of different genres so that it may be
considered mainstream. But often times this occurrence is rare because it is considered to be
another form of body genre which incites a physical response rather than an emotional
response because it is so graphic. Essentially, horror becomes an event movie that ranks as one of
the top movies in the box office only when it is treated as a commercial product that includes
well known actors, which then attracts a greater number of audiences.
Ulaby discusses the basis of extreme horror in her radio broadcast, Extreme Horror: Basic
Escapism or Simply Base? and mentions that it isnt anything new in the entertainment industry,
but rather it has made its way through mainstream media, thanks in part to improving visual
effects that gives people a real experience. Rob Zombie expresses that violence is all part of the
quality that extreme horror brings and that it is escapism (seeking new distractions from reality) to
those living in unpleasant societies. Horror scholar, Mikita Brottman claims that horror is a
reflection of the horrors that are occurring in this world, such as war or social disorder. In
essence extreme horror can be seen as the basis of humanitys dark side that one can be
entertained by.
The question of Why horror is proposed in order to address the difficulty in
distinguishing why people find horror appealing to them and why some find it appalling. Such
problematic issues occur because no data can be reliable as to WHY people prefer the genre of
horror whereas others are not. In order to address this question, the author goes depth with his

abstraction on a three levels analysis that could explain why people find horror so enthralling.
Rather than relying on the psychoanalytic theory that suggests people like horror only because it
offers them an emotional release from their repressed memories, Tudor recognizes that our own
social context directly connects to ones liking of horror because certain elements of the genre
goes outside of the accepted norms of society. The questioned is rephrased in The Philosophy of
Horror and the question, what is the definition and value of horror? is asked, which the author
Nickel defends the answer. He explains that its value is not held in the graphic scenes it depicts,
but rather its impact on entertainment and art. In terms of a philosophical point of view, horror
and the fears associated with it, relates back to the fears in everyday life. Horror, in forms of
literature and film, creates a scenario that a viewer grows anxiety from. Why? Because there is
no denying the possibility of such a familiar situation in real life. The fear from a movie or a
story essentially becomes repressed until some stimulus incites that paranoia once again. It is the
anxiety of a realistic situation from a horror film that is happening in real life which maintains
the viewers attention.
Ulaby introduces the story of the American Horror Story: Asylum in another radio
broadcast and mentions Jessica Lange as the most prominent actor in the show. Ryan Murphy, the
shows producer, expresses his love for horror and that it is a genre that often receives negative
reviews. Horror, to him, is a form of art and a reflection or metaphor to what is happening in a
certain time period. American Horror Story, for example, plays in many themes of science vs.
religion as well as the consequences that came from breaking the norms of society in the mid 20th
century. These elements of the show are portrayed and observed in the first three episodes of
American Horror Story: Asylum where the setting takes place in the 1960s in an insane asylum.
Every possible feature of gruesome horror is included in this season; everything from a dark

eerie setting, unforgivable torture to the patients, a mad doctor, aliens, a victim who is possessed
by the devil the list could go on. Asylum is a fast paced show and it always has the audience
wondering what extremity is bound to happen next. The anticipation, gore and endless surprises
offers people that stimulus needed to evoke a reaction, specifically fear.
Entering the Conversation
There is no denying that horror has made a rise from gothic literature to cinema and now,
its popularity has become increasingly apparent amongst well-known TV networks. Some
popular TV shows such as True Blood, Dexter, and Supernatural, indeed bring in elements of
true dark horror but often mix in other genres and famous actors that make it more mainstream
and therefore attract more viewers (Jowett & Abbot, 2013). But what about shows that retract
these mainstream genres and bring in elements of true horror such as gore and pain inflicting
scenes? Examples of shows that has risen its way to success from the very first season is
American Horror Story and The Walking Dead. These shows have all the aspects that a horror
movie contains, and it brings a perfect balance of horror and a narrative plot rather than an
excess of the horror itself. It is because of these shows that horror has received an increasing
approval rate. Both shows in respect, value and maintain a keen plot that entices viewers to keep
watching. Although characteristics of gore and violence are in both shows, it neither goes
overboard with its bloodshed as vital part of the show. It continues to keep viewers emotionally
connected with the story and disgusted at the same time without displaying excess horror.
What is it about the horror genre that people want? To feel not only excitement, but to
gain an upsurge of emotions not felt in average every day life. They want the actual fear of not
knowing what is going to happen next simply because they expect it not to happen to them in
real life. It is because of these horror films/shows people have something to be excited about. In

several cases, cinema has failed in doing so and has cast a shadow over the genre. Examples of
such movies was, in Eli Roths film, The Green Inferno where the main characters who were
college student activists, went to the Amazon Jungle in an effort to save the green forest from
further devastation. Unfortunately, a plane crash resulted in these college students to be held
hostage by natives of the Peruvian jungle where some of the held hostages were slayed and eaten
by these cannibals of the jungle. Another highly provocative film was The Human Centipede, in
which a mentally unstable surgeon has entrapped three victims in his own home where he put
them under operation and sew the victims mouth on to their behinds to form a three human
centipede. As expected, both movies received mostly negative reviews from mainstream critics.
There is no fear achieved from both of these movies and no plotline that attracts the audiences
attention, only clear repulsion.
In contrast to these films, TV shows that have emerged has brought on a significant
impact to what the horror genre intends to bring to the audience, which is utter fear yet
fascination of the plot. Because of shows like American Horror story and The Walking Dead,
viewers, especially horror fanatics have something to anticipate. Audiences actually have an
ongoing storyline that they look forward to every week when a new episode premieres. But it is
not the plot that the fans have to look forward to, but actual fear of not knowing who what will
occur in a matter of an hour long episode.
In this decade, when a new horror movie premieres at a local theater, people arent
inclined to watch it because the quality of the movie plot is expected to not be what the audience
may envision. These so called horror movies are not often what the audience anticipates it to
be, which is why the genres popularity has diminished in the last couple of decades. Sometimes
the graphic images come in excess and usually the plot loses its value. How much gore a horror

movie contains may be a predicament to how less successful it will be, because not everyone
enjoys an overload of blood shed. The true fear anticipated from the audience occurs less
frequently throughout the movie, and audience members are repeatedly left disappointed. But the
success of these TV horror shows has brought much recognition into the genre.
TV networks were once more conservative in how graphic/explicit scenes could be
(Jowett & Abbott, 2013). Obviously, that is not the case with shows like American Horror Story.
TV networks has become less strict in regulating the censorship of the show. American Horror
Story is a primary example of the more liberalized mainstream media. Being that it is a
psychosexual thriller, it contains very overt sexual scenes, often showing some nudity, and
contains forms of body horror (the act of inflicting physical pain and destruction to a characters
body) that would indeed give it the label of a rated R movie. One gruesome scene from episode
three of Asylum, Sister Mary Eunice--who has been possessed by the devil--enters a cells where
she commands a patient to kneel down and pray with. While the patient was praying with her
rosary in hand, the Sister pulls out a pair of scissor and slits the throat of the patient and kills her
(Veronica, 2015, pp. 10). With its ever increasing fan base, it is apparent that explicit gory
content is now becoming more widely accepted especially in the constantly changing media
setting.
So would it be too soon to make the claim that the horror genre is now a part of the
mainstream media more than ever? Probably not, especially since horror shows has made its
triumph and fame on the small screen. People, especially those under 18 years now have the
freedom to watch these shows whenever they can, despite its TV rating. So now an entire
population of young adolescents are adding into this ever expanding fan base of horror/thriller
seeking people. There wont always be a gray area on an individuals opinion of the specific

genre. Either people will enjoy it or utterly hate it. But why is it only black and white? There are
people who are fans of horror only for the thrill and scare, and those who necessarily avoid it
because they simply dont want to be petrified and continue to go about their days with that same
anxiety. There is never someone who switches between both positions on the matter. I love
horror films for the experience of being scared, but there never will be a time where I will hate it.
Not everyone will label themselves a fan of a horror show/movie. But, it is without doubt that
horror may once again be gaining its positive recognition and finally be taken seriously as a
genre.
Conclusion
Once again, horror is a genre that as often received a negative reputation because of the
excessive graphic scenes that are portrayed. People often take offense to gore and revolting
visualizations, but it is safe to assume that the genre is receiving critical mass media attention,
thanks in part to its success on TV networks. Now that horror can be watched in the homes of
those looking to watch an emotionally provoking TV series, it will better facilitate the popularity
it once had from cinema. Horror has once again made its impact on mainstream culture, and the
majority of this media can be viewed directly from ones own TV network. Such impact on
mainstream includes the manifesting horrific and sexual scenes as part of what is now acceptable
to watch on television as seen on American Horror Story. This show, not only incites fear but
exploits fast paced graphic scenes that enthralls audience members, are one of few horror series
that continues to made that impact on the changing entertainment industry. Also there are actors
that people recognize from other shows or previous seasons that attracts them even more.
Explicit sexual, often nude, and gruesome scenes are no longer censored and has become more

widely accepted. It has become apparent that TV networks are now loosening its grasp to
censorship, which in turn benefits the horror genre because it is explicit.
It is important to mention that horror has once again made its impact on mainstream
media and to credit its impact of the liberalizing regulations of television. Horror has not
received the appreciation it once had when cinema was making its rise. The genre has been seen
as a pointless paradox of the possibilities and fears in real life. Movies have long portrayed
horror as joke, and it is not often that one is able to enjoy a good scare from a horror film. The
value of a plot has been lost and all that continues are the images of blood shed. But horror on
TV may be changing that perception of horror because it is bringing back a major value to the
storyline.
What the audience needs to realize is that horror should no longer be considered taboo
but it should be appreciated as a form of art. And any form of art should incite a reaction from
someone, whether itd be awe, joyfulness, melancholy or fear. Although horror itself can be
gruesome, the whole point of it is to provoke a response that keeps viewers engaged with the
mood it brings. Not with the response to the visuals but to the emotional aspect of the plot. An
audience that is actively engaged with the show/film, are the ones that enjoy the sensation of fear
which is something that audience members may not feel on a daily basis. As long as a particular
scenario doesnt happen to an individual in reality, it is safe to enjoy the thrill.
So the question I propose is will people more likely appreciate the art and thrill that
horror brings as long as there as it continues to value a storyline? Maybe so, but is it possible to
value a plot without losing the elements of true horror? TV shows like American Horror Story
seems to balance out such aspects. But what about the movie industry? If the movie industry

were to balance out such aspects, then maybe horror will once again receive a good reputation
and bring the genre to light more than ever.

References
Garcia, V. (2015). Assignment One: Asylum. Personal Collection of V. Garcia, University of
North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte NC.
Holmes, L. (2011. October 5). 'American Horror Story': Love It or Hate It, It's A Horror Show for
Sure. NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/
Jowett, L., & Abbott, S. (2013). TV Horror: Investigating the Dark Side of the Small Screen.
(pp.131-154) New York, NY: I.B Tauris.
Nickel, P. J., (2010). The Philosophy of Horror. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky.
14-30. Retrieved from https://muse.jhu.edu/books/9780813173702
Simpson, P. L. (2004). Horror Film: Creating and Marketing Fear. University Press of
Mississippi. (pp. 85-97)
Tudor, A. (1997). WHY HORROR? THE PECULIAR PLEASURES OF A POPULAR GENRE.
Cultural Studies. 11(3), 443-463. doi: 10.1080/095023897335691
Ulaby, N. (2007, June 9). Extreme Horror: Basic Escapism or Simply Base? NPR [Audio
podcast] Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/
Ulaby, N. (2012, October 17). Jessica Lange, Back in Black for 'Horror Story'. NPR [Audio
podcast] Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/