The horror film

Here, Stephen Prince has collected essays reviewing the history of the horror film and the psychological reasons for its persistent appeal, as well as discussions of the developmental responses of children and young adult viewers to the genre.

The book focuses on recent post-modern examples such as "The Blair Witch Project".

Controversially, the book also includes a discussion of Holocaust films in relation to horror.

Part One features essays on the silent and classical Hollywood eras.

Part Two focuses on the post World War II era and examines the historical, aesthetic and psychological characteristics of contemporary horror films.

In contrast to horror during the classical Hollywood period, contemporary horror features more graphic and prolonged visualizations of disturbing and horrific imagery, as well as other distinguishing characteristics.

Prince's introduction provides an overview of the genre, contextualizing the readings that will follow.