Horror 101, Monday

[chosehumanity]

"Horror," Mitchell told the class, "Is about fear. I know that's patently obvious, but sometimes people forget and make it all about what cool new prosthetics they can put on a rubber mask." Mitchell's eyes: rolling a bit. "So today we're taking it back to the source. To fear. All those small, everyday fears that can cripple us, make us leap at shadows, make our lives run another course just to avoid them. The best horror films and books are based on these fears, on these innate terrors that make us shiver and turn all the lights on in the house, cram ourselves up in tiny spaces or big ones. Those kind of fears. Phobias."

He unfurled from the couch. "I've got a little homework assignment for you all this week," he said, distributing a list.

Acrophobia
Aichmophobia
Anthophobia
Astraphobia
Chiroptophobia
Coulrophobia
Emetophobia
Entomophobia
Ergasiophobia
Erotophobia
Gerascophobia
Haptephobia
Necrophobia
Nosophobia
Triskaidekaphobia
Trypanophobia

"On this list, you'll find a number of phobias. I want you all to pick one and work out what it is. Then find me a film or a book or a series that has something to do with it. It doesn't have to be literal or anything. As long as you can explain it to me, I'm happy."

He sat back down. "That's your belated midterm," he decided. "As a start, we'll be watching The Way Down. If nothing else, it helps stir our claustrophobia, the fear of enclosed spaces, and our nyctophobia, our fear of the dark. Anything could be going on in the darkness, the caves..."

He smiled. "Get to work!"

[[ up and at them! ]]

Comments

Re: Pick a Phobia

[furnaceface]

Jono's choice? Aichmophobia. He was fairly certain that any one of a number of his horrid slasher films should cover that particular choice nicely.