The 1990s Teen Horror Cycle - by Alexandra West (Paperback)

About the Book

"Many critics and fans refer to the 1990s as the decade that horror forgot. Yet horror went mainstream in the '90s by speaking to the anxieties of American youth during one of the country's most prosperous eras. This in-depth study examines the youth subculture, history and politics of the era"--

Book Synopsis

Many critics and fans refer to the 1990s as the decade that horror forgot, with few notable entries in the genre. Yet horror went mainstream in the '90s by speaking to the anxieties of American youth during one of the country's most prosperous eras.

No longer were films made on low budgets and dependent on devotees for success. Horror found its way onto magazine covers, fashion ads and CD soundtrack covers. "Girl power" feminism and a growing distaste for consumerism defined an audience that both embraced and rejected the commercial appeal of these films.

This in-depth study examines the youth subculture and politics of the era, focusing on such films as Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), Scream (1996), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), Idle Hands (1999) and Cherry Falls (2000).

Review Quotes

"A fun and readily accessible look at the philosophical themes (and commercial considerations) that tie these movies together... West's writing is lucid and appealing... Hews to a conversational style that brings these films and their intellectual considerations to life with flair, on a subgenre all too often ignored in horror... West is a solid writer with fascinating things to say."--The AV Club.

About the Author

Alexandra West has written about genre films for The Toronto Star, Rue Morgue Magazine and Offscreen Film Journal. In 2012, she co-founded the Faculty of Horror podcast, exploring the films' analytical side. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.