The Disrespect of the Horror Genre

Some of my favorite Oscar nominations are acting performances from the few horror movies that get nominated. In Oscar history, Best Picture has not happened often but when it does, it’s something that the academy didn’t get wrong. When it comes to the Academy Awards, no genre is more disrespected than the horror genre. Only 6 horror movies have ever been nominated for best picture. This number is astonishing when compared to the over 500 movies that have been nominated in the Academy’s dreadful history.

As of 2023, Silence of the Lambs is the only horror film that has won best picture. This is astonishing, seeing as the horror genre is what helped build Hollywood into what it is today. By creating stories that were taboo resulting in making audiences uncomfortable, the horror genre changed the film industry as a whole. If you look at the old Hollywood horror films you can find the first interpretations of universally known monsters like mummies, vampires, werewolves, and zombies (aka Frankenstein). Some of Hollywood's first well-known directors were horror directors like Alfred Hitchcock. The first summer blockbuster in box office history was Spielberg’s 1975 film Jaws

This genre has given us some of pop culture's best-known fictional icons. Some are so iconic that you don’t need to have seen the movies to know who they are. For example, Michael Myers is referred to as the bogeyman. Ghost Face is the killer who makes you anxious every time you hear the phone ring. Chuckie the doll is the doll that every kid loves and he is “your friend to the end.”

Now to give some praise for horror performances:

In more recent years Daniel Kaluuya got nominated for Get Out in 2018. His performance in that movie solidifies his start quality and this makes the film an instant horror classic.

Going back to old Hollywood, Janet Leigh’s performance in Psycho was nominated in 1961 and is considered an iconic moment in horror cinema, with the famous shower sequence.

Sigourney Weaver in Aliens is probably the best sci-fi horror movie to date and way better than any film that tries to achieve this film's impact on horror cinema. Sadly, if Aliens was released now her name wouldn’t even be in the Oscar conversation. But at the very least she got a nomination( even though she deserved that win!)

Of course, I have to mention the Oscar-winning performance by Kathy Bates in Misery. Surprisingly, it was her first film and she won an Oscar. That’s a horror icon for sure.

Lupita Nyong’o made Us one of my greatest films of all time. Her playing two versions of herself is such a mind f*ck and so complex that she played it a little too well. It is so disrespectful that she wasn’t in conversation for award season.

Hereditary brought to the world one of the most iconic female rage scenes in horror cinema. Toni Collette really put everything into this role where she othered the whole movie. Her monologue is something pop culture still references and even when taken out of context it is still impactful, as well as being able to resonate with parents.

Lastly, she’s a star! Mia Goth in Pearl is a role that I will always remember her for. Pearl is one of 3 films in Ti West’s X franchise and will probably be my favorite out of 3. It is an interesting character study and her monologue is one of my favorites ever not in horror but in cinema so far. Her role in Pearl is to be studied by actors who wish to achieve this level of insanity. The last shot of the film is what makes it true horror perfection and shows how dedicated Mia Goth is to her craft.

The horror genre deserves a lot more than what it is given. After all these years this genre is still looked down upon by not only the Oscars but other prestigious places for film to be praised.

I’d like to not thank the Academy and ask them to do better.

Written by Daniel Rojas

Top 5 Final Girls that have Slayed the Horror Genre

The “final girl” has become a popular trope in horror films and television shows recently over the years, despite this genre being around for several decades. The character is given the title when she is the last girl in a horror/slasher who defeats the villain and/or monster against all odds. There have been many characters over time who fit this final girl trope, gaining the most popularity in the ‘80s and ‘90s with movies like “Scream”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, and “Halloween.” While some of these characters were portrayed to be the smartest and most “pure”, there are some final girls who don't quite fit the stereotype exactly, but at the end of the day, they have completely earned their spot as a final girl.

This list consists of my take on the top five most influential and badass final girls in horror over the decades.

#5. Maggie Bess from “Thirteen Ghosts”

In this 2001 remake of the 1960 classic horror/thriller “Thirteen Ghosts”, a family inherits a mansion from their estranged uncle, which to their surprise, is home to many powerful and evil entities. Our final girl, Maggie Bess (portrayed by Rah Digga) is tangled into this nightmare due to being the family’s nanny. Not only was Maggie a hilarious character and was not afraid to get her hands dirty despite being the comic relief throughout the film, she also did anything to protect her boss and the kids. It’s up to Maggie to save the ones she cares for most and she risks her life in order to do so. At the end of the film, Maggie dramatically talks aloud to herself, “This is it for me. I am on the first fuckin’ plane back to Newark. Uh-uh. I am sorry, family, Kathy, Bobby, uncle, ghosts. I am sick of this nanny shit. I’ve had it. This was not in the job description. I quit!” Proving to everyone that she didn’t lose her humor despite everything. Without Maggie Bess, the family would’ve never gotten out of that nightmare, making her well deserving of the final girl title.

#4. Julie James from “I Know What You Did Last Summer”

If you’re a fan of slasher films, then you are bound to be familiar with this late 90’s classic. After four friends commit a hit-and-run one summer and dispose of the body, swearing to take the secret to their grave, Julie James (portrayed by Jennifer Love Hewitt) receives a jarring letter one year later stating that someone knows exactly what happened that night. Julie fits the sweet, innocent, unassuming character who always proves themselves eventually, and considering she was targeted first with the letter, it’s up to her and her friends to find out exactly what is going on. As they become closer to solving the mystery, Julie’s friends start to get brutally murdered one by one. At the end of the film, only Julie is left to goface-to-facee with the killer, outsmarting them in any way she can. Despite the film’s cliffhanger, Julie James remains the final girl.

#3. Sam & Tara Carpenter from “Scream 5” and “Scream 6”

Sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter (portrayed by Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega) go hand in hand during the most recent “Scream” franchise films, protecting each other to defeat Ghostface from terrorizing citizens once again. Usually, the final girl stands alone at the end of the film, but the sisters' strong relationship makes it hard for them to be apart, they are always looking out for each other. Throughout the films, they do whatever it takes together to outsmart Ghostface’s new tactics and game with some help from Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who many fans would agree to be one of the original final girls who gained the title at the end of the first “Scream” film. Both sisters prove time and time again that they would do anything to protect their city and each other, displaying skills of extreme physical and emotional strength, and always ending up on top despite the immense trauma both girls had to endure.

#2. Seong-kyeong from “Train to Busan”

Seong-kyeong (portrayed by Jung Yu-mi) is an undersung final girl in horror but is one of the most kickass survivors in the genre over the years. In this 2016 zombie horror film, passengers on a train get trapped during a virus outbreak. Seong-kyeong is the first to notice an infected person attacking another passenger, quickly asking her husband for help before realizing it wasn’t just a violent man, instead, it was something out of nightmares. Seong-kyeong was ready to do anything to protect herself and her unborn baby. Throughout the film she wasn’t afraid to take risks and team up with other passengers, the more protection for her and her unborn child, the better. Unfortunately, most of the people she is partnered with throughout the chaos end up getting infected or sacrificing themselves in order to protect Seong-kyeong, who is now not alone. Not only does she survive due to the sacrifices made by the others, but a young girl Su-an (Kim Su-an) is left in her care. This only fuels Seong-kyeong more as she is more determined than ever to survive, not only for her future child but now for Su-an as well. By the end of the film, all of the sacrifices paid off and Seong-kyeong is rescued by soldiers and safe from the virus outbreak.

#1. Buffy Summers from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (TV series)

Buffy Summers (portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar) was one of the first strong female leads in TV during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The plot of the show, based on the 1992 film of the same name, consists of a 16-year-old girl who is a born vampire slayer, or the “Chosen One”, who is gifted with the strength and agility to defeat vampires, demons, and evil of all kinds. Throughout the years, Buffy survives many apocalypses and one of the reasons why she continues to be on top every single time is because she is the one and only slayer to ever have relationships. Being a slayer is supposed to be a lonesome and deadly line of work, but her friendships and connections to the “real world” are what keeps her going. Buffy has reasons to live and would do anything to save her loved ones, including sacrificing herself to do so.

Some may argue that she doesn’t fit the “final girl” archetype considering being resurrected twice throughout the series, but regardless, she bounced back and Buffy is still the “Chosen One” and defeats each evil head on by herself countless times. Unlike most slasher films throughout the years, the stereotypical blonde girl was now the one kicking ass, instead of being the first victim. By the end of the series, Buffy has to face the biggest evil of them all, and after seven years of saving the world, doing it one last time was no big deal for her. Not only was Buffy Summers literally slaying monsters, but she slayed while doing it. Buffy has been an influential female lead in the horror genre for over 20 years now, and considering the show's strong audience, even today, that is not going to change any time soon; which is why she’s crowned the number one final girl in this ranking.

The horror genre consists of many “final girls” and these five listed above each had their own individual characteristics that helped them survive and reign superior at the end of their stories. If you haven’t had the chance to see these characters in action, definitely check them out this October!

Written by Liv Voreas

The Top Television Episodes You Need to Watch for Halloween

With the cool weather, bulk candy lining the drug store shelves, and Spirit Halloweens popping up on every other block, signals that autumn has arrived. Halloween is just around the corner, but we don’t always have time to get into the holiday spirit with an entire movie. When I want to get excited about parties or reminisce about trick or treating, I love to turn to a good (or hilariously bad) T.V. episode. So whether you’re hosting a watch-party or recovering from the end of Halloweekend, here are eight of my favorite shows/episodes to tune into for the Halloween season.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

A beloved classic, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is the ideal way to relax while soaking in the Halloween spirit. It’s not technically an episode of TV, but its 25-minute runtime qualifies it for this list. It’s a charming portrayal of Halloween as an adolescent and a melodramatic tale of a canine pilot rolled into one. While many shows aim to be terrifying through ghosts and monsters, no attack is more bone-chilling than receiving a rock while trick or treating. Between Linus’ hopefulness that the great pumpkin will reveal himself and Schroeder’s piano expertise, this special makes for a comforting and nostalgic watch.

Brooklyn 99, Halloween

Many sitcoms have made Halloween episodes over the years yet the holiday tends to feel like an afterthought in generally lackluster episodes. From Friends to New Girl, no one praises or remembers these underwhelming episodes, which is why the whip-smart and fast-paced Halloween episodes of Brooklyn 99 are so impressive. In their season one episode, Jake Peralta argues that he can steal Captain Holt’s Medal of Valor. The precinct is littered with incredibly stubborn characters and the challenge escalates to absurd heights with a satisfying conclusion. You can’t go wrong with the first installment but the succeeding episodes are consistently entertaining as well. So if you’re looking for less trick-or-treating and more cunning schemes, this is the show for you.

American Horror Story, Any Episode

While the show’s first season has a two-part episode on the holiday, any episode of American Horror Story deserves a spot on this list. I highlight the series’ fourth season, Freak Show, above for its bright color palate and gruesome murders. This season and the previous three have provided devoted fans and casual viewers with endless costume inspiration. So, if you get a last-minute party invite with nothing to wear, tune into any episode for a plethora of ideas.

Gravity Falls, Summerween

Any episode of Gravity Falls is an excellent way to settle into the October spirit, but “Summerween” is one of my favorite Halloween episodes on this list. For a cartoon that takes place over the course of a summer break, the foggy Pacific Northwest setting provides a gloomy and autumnal backdrop. Many monsters emerge from the forest, including the lanky child-eating Summerween Trickster. The episode is potentially oversaturated with morals (what is this, a kid's show?) but has plenty of laughs and a surprisingly malevolent villain.

A.N.T. Farm, MutANT Farm

If one Disney show isn’t enough, let us revisit this infamous episode of A.N.T. Farm. Less of a traditional T.V. episode and more of a jaw-dropping spectacle in poor writing and atrocious visual effects, this Halloween special transports audiences out of a gifted school and into a monstrous one. If you think children’s shows look lousy today, revisit this episode, which you might’ve adored as a child, and see if it holds up. It is not only a devastating blow to television as a medium, it’s also the perfect episode to throw on if you want to laugh at (and not with) a T.V. show. The only redeeming factor is its concluding song, “Calling All the Monsters,” which I admit is still a guilty pleasure of mine.

Freaks and Geeks, Tricks and Treats

If you’re looking for an earnestly relatable show, this episode can make you laugh and cry in 45 minutes. I gush about Freaks and Geeks whenever I get a chance, and the episode “Tricks and Treats” deserves it. Most Halloween episodes revolve around children or adults, but the most torturous Halloween comes in between when you’re finally too old to go trick or treating. Judd Apatow’s breakout project, Freaks and Geeks, is shockingly delicate. The characters are written with unparalleled authenticity and played by actors who’d just begun their careers (Seth Rogen is only 18!). It’s also potentially the only coming-of-age show where the parents are as engaging as the children (Becky Ann Baker as Jean Weir is devastating to watch). If October’s crisp weather gives you a chill, revel in your melancholy through this touching episode.

Glee, Rocky Horror Glee Show

If you’re looking for the opposite of authenticity in your binge, look no further than this campy and outrageous episode of Glee. Rocky Horror Picture Show is iconic for its salacious debauchery and strong sexual overtones. Naturally, it is the perfect musical for a group of underage high schoolers to perform. As a firm believer that some Glee covers are better than the originals, their rendition of Rocky Horror is mostly a nightmarish replica. However, it’s still a fun hell of a time! In a season filled with bone-chilling scary movies and shows, the most terrifying sight in this episode is a shirtless Matthew Morison (which is pretty frightening). This breezy and silly episode is perfect for a group watch, and following it with MutANT Farm makes for the perfect hate-watch double feature.

Scooby-Doo, Where are You?, A Gaggle of Galloping Ghosts

It would be a travesty not to include the iconic Mystery Gang on this list. A first-season staple of the original 60’s series, “A Gaggle of Galloping Ghosts” features the most recognizable and replicated Halloween costumes ever, from Dracula to the gang themselves. Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, Fred, and Scooby search through the seemingly haunted Franken Castle, and charmingly spooky hijinks occur (exactly like you hope they do). If you’re in search of the ultimate Halloween classic or a visually interesting cartoon to throw on as background noise at a party, look no further.

T.V. episodes about Halloween can be sweet, scary, and downright horrifying. You might be looking for a laugh or an outlet for self-reflection, so I hope there’s something on this list to scratch that itch. These episodes are chock-full of costume inspiration and guaranteed to get you in the spooky spirit.

Written by Mary Leer