Scan barcode
Reviews
Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film - Updated Edition by Carol J. Clover
mouseabolition's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
lovelyandmorbid's review against another edition
dark
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Very interesting stuff, definitely felt dated but I haven't read much Freudian analysis so I still found it fascinating
katokaitlyn's review
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.75
It’s the first great exploration of horror as a cinematic mode and it is a masterpiece. At times it’s a bit dense but it’s hard to fault Clover as there’s much ground to be covered in very little time!
megnut's review
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
3.5
The ideas explored in this book were really interesting... but the language was heavy on psychoanalysis & academia (I prefer my books to be more accessible).
There's obviously also limitations since it was published in 1992 and is missing more than 2 decades worth of horror cinema (and some of the language is no longer socially acceptable).
But, again, the concepts were interesting to explore and I'll be thinking of them the next time I'm watching or writing a horror.
There's obviously also limitations since it was published in 1992 and is missing more than 2 decades worth of horror cinema (and some of the language is no longer socially acceptable).
But, again, the concepts were interesting to explore and I'll be thinking of them the next time I'm watching or writing a horror.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Rape, and Sexual assault
ecn's review against another edition
3.0
I think looking at this through a Freudian lens should tell you everything you need………… it was definitely written in a ‘92 perspective with ‘92 feminism at the forefront
juleseliasw's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
The politics of who identifies with who when viewing a horror film, and the thorough psychosexual analysis offers a lens I hadn’t watched films through before. Still, the anything that leans extremely heavily on Freud always gives me pause. Extremely dry and repetitive at times (I’ve been picking it up and setting it down for almost 5 years) I’ve learned I’m not a huge fan of footnotes (although I collected some films and books to add to my list throughout) . This is something I will revisit someday to annotate litter with my own opinions and analysis.
This is also such a fascinating text to me in the way that the genre has changed drastically since it was written, even within 5 years. I always say Carol Clover would love Ari Aster’s Hereditary and Ti West’s X!
This is also such a fascinating text to me in the way that the genre has changed drastically since it was written, even within 5 years. I always say Carol Clover would love Ari Aster’s Hereditary and Ti West’s X!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Pregnancy, Ableism, Body horror, and Racism
xsleepyshadows's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm, good but there are a few things standing in the way of getting a better understanding 1) I haven't seen a lot of the movies she discusses, 2) I wasn't born in the 80's so I'm sure there was a more strict toxic masculine culture going on, but there was also the satanic panic going on...so I just don't get that culture around that time period. 3) It's a bit out of date now.
I would love it if the author revisited this now. Otherwise, it is an interesting read and def. put out some new ideas that I haven't thought about.
I would love it if the author revisited this now. Otherwise, it is an interesting read and def. put out some new ideas that I haven't thought about.
petepilgrim's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.75
In the preface to this edition the author talks with some regret how the sketch of the final girl (its this book which coined the term) has become fleshed out in film since the idea took hold. I can definitely see why the author has regrets over the concept becoming too realised as the book goes on
The theories are Freudian (Everything's a hole. Everything's a pole) and the analysis is concerned with narrative tropes of the genre (typically around the late 70s) more so than film theory or going heavily into any one text. My response to these ideas was mixed. At times I felt they waa a misrepresentation of texts to fit an argument, or relying on the concept of genre to invent evidence wholecloth.
But it cannot be argued the influence this has book has had on horror theory, even if the work is quite dated now. Even if some of the lines of argument are difficult to get on board with, the ideas as a whole are fascinating.
It tackles some heavy topics, and requires at least some familiarity with media criticism of some kind (though not necessarily film theory and criticism). Still, a book I would recommend for a more academic perspective on horror.
The theories are Freudian (Everything's a hole. Everything's a pole) and the analysis is concerned with narrative tropes of the genre (typically around the late 70s) more so than film theory or going heavily into any one text. My response to these ideas was mixed. At times I felt they waa a misrepresentation of texts to fit an argument, or relying on the concept of genre to invent evidence wholecloth.
But it cannot be argued the influence this has book has had on horror theory, even if the work is quite dated now. Even if some of the lines of argument are difficult to get on board with, the ideas as a whole are fascinating.
It tackles some heavy topics, and requires at least some familiarity with media criticism of some kind (though not necessarily film theory and criticism). Still, a book I would recommend for a more academic perspective on horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Misogyny, Rape, Violence, and Body horror
literarylizzie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced