The Art of Fear: Woody Bess on the Evolution of Horror | Kinolime Podcast Ep 23

This video features a discussion between host Meara Owen-Griffiths (Creative Executive) and filmmaker/screenwriter Woody Bess as they celebrate Halloween by reviewing the history of the horror genre through a decade-by-decade look at their favorite films and screenplays.1

The conversation includes recommendations and insights for the following decades: 1940s: The host recommends I Walked with a Zombie (1943), citing its influence on folk horror and its unique use of a Caribbean setting to explore colonial themes.2 1950s: Woody Bess suggests Invasion of the Body Snatchers as a "peak red scare" metaphor reflecting 1950s American anxieties. The host counters with House of Wax (1953), highlighting its garish effects and Vincent Price's performance.34 1960s: Woody selects Night of the Living Dead for its massive success as an independent film and its mastery of suspense. The host recommends Peeping Tom (1960) for its revolutionary use of psychological horror and a protagonist as the "bad guy".56 1970s: Both speakers agree on Alien as a pinnacle of sci-fi horror, praising its world-building and Dan O'Bannon's script. The host also gives a nod to the folk horror classic The Wicker Man.78 1980s: Woody champions John Carpenter's The Thing for its practical effects and atmosphere of paranoia. The host suggests A Nightmare on Elm Street for its creative antagonist and its exploration of the vulnerability of sleep.910 1990s: The host chooses Candyman as a quintessential urban legend film that addressed social economics and race relations. Woody selects Event Horizon for its wild, high-concept "balls to the wall" energy.1112 2000s: The host picks Ginger Snaps (2000) for its metaphorical use of lycanthropy to explore female adolescence. Woody selects Saw for its immense influence on the decade's focus on mystery and hyper-violence.1314 2010s: Both speakers highlight It Follows for its constant sense of dread and its clever inversion of horror tropes. They also discuss the impact of Ari Aster's films, Hereditary and Midsommar.1516 2020s: The host nominates We're All Going to the World's Fair (2022) for its "creepypasta" aesthetic. Woody recommends Talk to Me, praising its practical effects and its portrayal of the bad decisions made by teenagers.