Horror Media

By: Joshua Espinosa

Staff Writer

Horror has always been a large part of our history as humans. We as people have lived life based on our flight or fight response, and in order to achieve that rush of adrenaline we get from fear we watch or read works of horror. Everybody knows all the classic horror films such as Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, etc. However, what about the works of horror very few know about, the kind that make you fear not just a bump in the night, but instead the parts of life that could never seem scary.

To start off, I would like to mention a novelist by the name of Junji Ito. He takes the very life we know and love and turns it into a macabre and twisted amalgamation. Take, for example, his most famous book “Uzumaki.” The story takes place in an average town, following an average everyday girl. One day her father begins to become obsessed with spirals. Soon the obsession takes a turn for the worst as this shape begins to appear everywhere, on trees, in the sky, and even on people, driving everybody to the brink of insanity. There is more to the story, but if visual horror and suspense fascinate you, I would highly suggest picking up this book and other works by Ito.

For those who don’t have the time to read or watch a movie, I have a TV show that allows you to take in the suspense one bite-size candy at a time. This work goes by the name The Haunting of Hill House. The story follows a family that used to live in the Hill house and return to it once more to face the demons of their past in order to move on with their lives. However, the house has its own plans, being an evil entity driving the family to insanity turning everyone against each other. Due to the supernatural powers the house possesses it is its own living entity and able to trick the family by luring them into its stomach so it may feast.

Fear is the driving force that has lead us as humans to where we are today. The reason we love horror is because of that rush given to us by a sense of danger while still having safety in the comfort of our homes (just watch Paranormal Activity). Without fear, life wouldn’t be the exciting ride it is; always wondering what that ominous noise, coming from the other room, was or if that shadow just moved. For those who live for that rush like I do, I hope these works of horror leave you with the fear you desire. Last but not least, always make sure to check over your shoulder because you never know what might be lurking behind you… even as you read this right now.