Ep. 89: Why It’s Finally Time to Take Horror Seriously

TIFF Long Take

This week on TIFF Long Take, Rob and Geoff sit down with ‘Faculty of Horror’ podcast co-host Alexandra West, to discuss the ever increasing legitimacy of the horror films. Thanks in part to the overwhelming critical praise of films like Jennifer Kent’s 'The Babadook', Robert Egger’s 'The Witch', David Robert Mitchell’s 'It Follows', and Jordan Peele’s 'Get Out', the perception of horror has changed over the last decade, from a beloved, but relatively niche genre, to one that cinephiles feel they should be paying attention to.

West talks about the films and filmmakers that taught her to love horror, the factors that have lead to the genre becoming more prestigious, and how film critics are covering horror now, as opposed to 10 years ago.

She also discusses horror’s unique ability to critique social issues, Jason Blum’s recent comments about the lack of women working in horror, and which gateway films she would recommend to someone who is still on the fence about the genre.