Notice: this article includes references to s.a.
It’s been a hell of a year since the US 2024 presidential election. Wait, it’s been a few weeks?!
Since the onset of the genre, Horror has remained inherently political - largely due to its accessibility and its confrontation of societal fears. With the recently elected administration openly sharing plans to oppress marginalized people, there’s no wonder audiences have been seeking the catharsis of Horror. Below you’ll find a list of major Horror releases this year that accurately capture timely political anxieties.
IMMACULATE
THE FIRST OMEN
While these two films had very close release dates, they’re each distinct in tone with star-making performances. Both portray the fear of loss of body autonomy. Living in the US after the overturning of Roe Vs. Wade easily invokes this fear for many.
I SAW THE TV GLOW
Trans bodies have been politicized to no end in recent times. One of the most heart-wrenching pieces of Horror in the past five years gives voice to the experience of recognizing one’s own inescapable identity… and the dread of not embracing it.
LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL
MAXXXINE
HERETIC
These dramatically different features all carry the threat of those who are obsessively dogmatic. Considering Project 2025 and its blatant disregard of the separation of church and state, it's no wonder these themes resonate with audiences.
THE SUBSTANCE
Presidential campaigns from both major parties began with two of the oldest presidential candidates of all time this year. Ageism, capitalism, and the patriarchy are confronted in this brilliant and bold movie.
BLINK TWICE
The United States’ newest President Elect was found liable for sexual abuse in 2023. The failed businessman’s own leaked words seem to further confirm his misogynistic views. Zoe Kravitz’s directorial debut about the corruption of the privileged and wealthy seem to be especially poignant in this regard.
AFRAID
It’s hard to find any digital spaces not yet infiltrated by artificial intelligence. Blumhouse’s Afraid capitalizes on the fear of the unknown being integrated into everyday domestic life.
What political anxieties do you want to see addressed in an upcoming horror film?