Program
Why Horror?
Can we talk about themes in horror from a sociological perspective? Yes. Ask any horror fan. There is one characteristic in almost every killer in a horror film: motivation. A motivation so strong it drives them to torture, haunting, or abuse.
For decades horror films have been a reflection of society's impact on the individual or the family in the place and time in which they live.
In the 21st century, not only do we see their motivation, we are taking a more critical look. Some filmmakers turn the genre on its head to reveal that the monster is the society we have let ourselves create.
And... sometimes it is still just a cold-blooded killer, otherworldly enigma, or bad-ass monster.
2022
Meeting Dates & Themes
July 5: Zombies
Zombies are everywhere now and they have always acted as metaphors for the ails of society. We'll discuss why zombie media are so popular.
August 2: Scream Queens
This classic horror character is steeped in stereotypes about women, but in modern horror that character has evolved into a sign of empowerment. We’ll discuss that evolution.
September 6: Religion
Religious participation in the U.S. continues to decline, yet filmmakers return to this type of existential horror yearly. We’ll discuss the connection between religious imagery and horror and the ways in which it is shifting.
October 4: Eerie Horror Fest
Join us for our annual celebration of horror!
November 1: Horror Classics
We owe it all to the classics. This month, we’ll discuss some of the foundational works of horror and what they meant then and now.
December 6: The Holidays
What could be more horrifying than holiday dinner with our weird and bigoted relatives? A monster. A haunting. A trap. This month we’ll discuss the ways in which films present the dread that many people feel about The Holidays.
January 3: Family
Family themed horror often follows the adage, “You only hurt the ones you love.” This month we’ll talk about the ways that family has changed and how it’s reflected in horror.
February 7: A Murder & A Date
Roses are red/Violets are blue... We are going to talk about how love and relationships become the subject of horror stories.
March 7: Body Horror
This one is not for the faint of heart. Body horror showcases grotesque violations of the body. It can be very disturbing and is perhaps the most visceral offering of the genre. We’ll discuss the nightmares come to screen.
April 4: The American Dream
Is it a dream, or a nightmare? In this month’s discussion, we’ll examine The American Dream and examine how horror addresses it.
May 2: Race Horror
This month we take a look at the horror of race in American life on film and the new film and television shows that strive to dissect the lives of diverse people.
June 6: New Classics in Horror
We'll finish up the year by discussing the “new” classics in horror and what defines them.
