Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror by Joe Vallese

34 reviews

joensign's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Violence

Moderate: Body horror and Miscarriage

jayisreading's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

The affinity that a number of queer people have with the monstrous is one that is explored in depth in this essay collection. I was invested in what each contributor had to say about their thoughts on their queer identity in relation to a horror film of their choice, which ranged from classic slashers to non-US horror films. Furthermore, this is an incredibly diverse collection of essays, not only in terms of how queerness is defined, but many of these authors also consider their race and/or disability. The contributors’ respective reflections really revealed the complexities of how the monster has been defined by culture and society, some taking a more academic tone when discussing this, while others had a more conversational tone.

Like any edited collection, I found some essays stronger than others. Overall, though, I’d say that it’s rather difficult to call any of them weak. Well worth picking up if you’re interested in horror (and a number of these essays don’t shy away from it, fair warning) and queerness. Relatedly, I recommend picking up Queer Little Nightmares: An Anthology of Monstrous Fiction and Poetry edited by David Ly and Daniel Zomparelli, if you’re looking for more queer monstrosity.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Biphobia, Death, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Pregnancy

Minor: Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Deportation, and Pandemic/Epidemic

megnut's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

These essays make me want to reread and watch these films to connect what the writers said about each one and ask myself what I see. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Homophobia, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Transphobia, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, Lesbophobia, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

zionsadv's review against another edition

4.0

Got some good movie recs & got to see a lot of films in a different light. This was cool

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Minor: Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Transphobia

aus10england's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Body horror

amaranth_wytch's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Biphobia, Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Sexual assault

moreadsnrambles's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, and Sexual harassment

livlamentloathe's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

I considered giving this one 5 stars, but there were a few essays that didn’t fit right within this anthology and so points off for being imperfect. But this was transcendent! 

I love horror and it hasn’t been until recently that I realized horror is inherently gay just by being horror. I love seeing the cross-section of identities and films and sexualities. I was a bit surprised Godzilla’s essay didn’t bring up their ambiguous gender, and that Nightmare on Elm Street: Freddy’s Revenge was not mentioned once, but I have a bunch of new horror movies to add to my list now!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Violence

An exploration of dark themes and the way LGBTQ+ culture is intertwined with the horror genre.

zany25's review against another edition

informative reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Sexual harassment