Queer for Fear doco spotlights the history of LGBTQ+ horror movies
What is the connection between horror movies and the queer community? A new documentary finds some surprising links.
In the Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror documentary, viewers are able to take a look into the world of horror and its effect on queer audiences, representation and symbolism from the very beginning.
Producer by Hannibal’s Bryan Fuller, as well as Steak House, Queer for Fear is a four-part documentary that looks at the history of the LGBTQ+ community in the horror and thriller genres – regardless of whether it’s literature, such as Mary Shelley, Bram Stroker, Oscar Wilde, or film. Queer for Fear looks to re-examine these stories through a queer lens and see these horror narratives not just as something to be afraid of, but as “tales of survival that resonate thematically with queer audiences everywhere.” (via Nerdist).
In a sneak peek from Shudder, viewers are presented with Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates in Psycho, and how that casting played a significant role in Perkins life, as told by prominent horror aficionados, creators, and his own son, Oz Perkins. The sneak peek can be viewed below.
The clip also highlights how director Alfred Hitchcock knew of Perkin’s being a closeted gay man, and dives deep into how Psycho also contributed to the lavender scare – a mass moral panic about homosexuality that took place in the United States.
If you’re eager to watch a thoughtful analysis of the horror genre throughout the years, then you’re in luck! The Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror documentary is available to watch now on Shudder.
