Horror Movies and Women's Rights: A Longstanding Connection
Since the 1970s, horror movies and women's rights have been closely intertwined, with many films examining social and political issues through a spooky lens.
The idea that horror has undergone an "elevation" in recent years, with films like Get Out, Hereditary, and The Babadook tackling complex issues, is a common argument. However, film critics argue that horror has always been political.
Eleanor Johnson, a Columbia professor, explores this connection in her new book, Scream With Me: Horror Films & the Rise of American Feminism, 1968–1980. Johnson was teaching a class on horror history in 2022 when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, coincidentally, just after delivering a lecture on Rosemary's Baby.
The book highlights the longstanding relationship between horror movies and women's rights, with films often serving as a commentary on social and political issues.
Author's summary: Horror movies reflect women's rights issues since the 1970s.