For my first NEA blog I want to research about the horror genre across all types of media and explore the nature of the appeal of horror:
The Enduring Appeal of Horror in Modern Media
Horror has always had a special hold on audiences, but in today’s media landscape its appeal has evolved into something deeper and more immersive. Modern horror does not just rely on monsters or blood. It explores fear as an emotion, an experience, and even a form of storytelling that connects us to our own humanity.
In games like The Mimic, players are placed directly into unsettling environments where every sound and shadow heightens the tension, creating a deeply personal experience of fear. Five Nights at Freddy’s takes a simple idea of being trapped in a haunted pizzeria and turns it into a psychological test of patience, observation, and courage. These games make players active participants in their own nightmares, which makes the fear feel more real and thrilling.
The Last of Us is a powerful example of how horror can blend with emotion and tragedy. It shows that the real terror often comes not from the infected creatures but from the collapse of morality and the struggle to survive. Both the game and its television adaptation use horror to explore themes of love, loss, and the human cost of survival, reminding us that fear can be both terrifying and deeply moving.
Television has also embraced this layered approach to horror. Many modern shows use suspense, complex characters, and moral ambiguity to build tension. Instead of relying only on jump scares, they focus on psychological and emotional storytelling that reflects real-world anxieties such as isolation, corruption, and the fear of the unknown.
The lasting appeal of horror comes from its paradox. It frightens us, but it also excites and challenges us. Horror allows us to confront the things we fear most and, in doing so, helps us understand a little more about ourselves.
(For more details on this topic click here)
(Here's a video that explains in detail how horror cinema became mainstream)
Short summary of A page in Media Magazine: WAKANDA FOREVER
The pages discuss the cultural impact of Black Panther, highlighting how the film became a huge global success and a milestone for superhero movies. The article explains key ideas such as colonialism and de-colonisation, noting how European powers historically invaded and controlled other nations while claiming moral superiority. It then connects these themes to Black Panther, showing how the film explores post-colonial ideas, Afro-futurism, and positive, diverse representations of African cultures.
I chose Shelter’s “Good As Gold” advert because it powerfully subverts the typical uplifting Christmas storyline. It follows Maddy, a young girl who behaves perfectly in the hope that being “good as gold” will earn her the one thing she wishes for most: a permanent home. The emotional twist comes when Christmas morning arrives and her situation hasn’t changed. This highlights that homelessness is not about personal effort or being deserving, but about structural issues affecting families.
The advert represents a narrative of childhood innocence contrasted with social injustice. By centring a child’s perspective, it exposes the emotional toll of temporary accommodation and makes the viewer confront the reality faced by thousands of families.
It reflects altruism and prosocial behaviour by encouraging empathy, compassion, and social action. The aim of the advert is to move people to support Shelter’s work, whether through donations or raising awareness, showing how collective care can help vulnerable children and families.
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