New book!

A History of Terror from ‘Nosferatu’ to ‘Nope’

From the silent-film era to the blockbusters of today, Horror Unmasked is a fun-filled, highly illustrated dive into the past influences and present popularity of the horror film genre.

The horror film’s pop-culture importance is undeniable, from its early influences to today’s most significant and exciting developments in the genre. Since 1990, the production of horror films has risen exponentially worldwide, and in 2021, horror films earned an estimated $580 million in ticket sales, not to mention how the genre has expanded into books, fashion, music, and other media throughout the world.

Horror has long been the most popular film genre, and more horror movies have been made than any other kind. We need them. We need to be scared, to test ourselves, laugh inappropriately, scream, and flinch. We need to get through them and come out, blinking, still in one piece. This comprehensive guide features:

• A thorough discussion on monster movies and B-movies (The Thing; It Came from Outer Space; The Blob)
• The destruction of the American censorship system (Blood Feast; The Night of the Living Dead; The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)
• International horror, zombies, horror comedies, and horror in the new millennium (Matango; Suspiria; Ghostbusters)
• A dissection of the critical reception of modern horror (Neon Demon; Pan’s Labyrinth; Funny Games)
• Stunning movie posters and film stills, plus fan-made tributes to some of the most lauded horror franchises in the world (Aliens; the Evil Dead; The Hills Have Eyes; Scream)

A perfect reference and informational book for horror fans and those interested in its cultural influence worldwide, Horror Unmasked provides a general introduction to the genre, serves as a guidebook to its film highlights, and celebrates its practitioners, trends, and stories.

Brad Weismann

Brad Weismann’s new book is Horror Unmasked: A History of Terror from ‘Nosferatu’ to ‘Nope’. His book Lost in the Dark: A World History of Horror Film, was published in the spring of 2021. He is an award-winning writer and editor who returned to the place he grew up, in the shadow of the Colorado Rockies, after 15 years of performing standup, improvisational, and sketch comedy on stage, radio, and television. He contributed to the critical collection 100 Years of Soviet Cinema, and he was chosen by the Library of Congress to contribute explanatory essays to its National Recording Registry.

• Praise for Horror Unmasked: A History of Terror from ‘Nosferatu’ to Nope’
  “Chronicling as well as celebrating the long-lasting power and popularity of horror cinema since its inception to the present day and future of the genre, Horror Unmasked is a gorgeously printed 232-paged hardcover treasure trove for both classic and underrated horror gems alike. Filled to the brim with investigation into nearly every prominent player, subgenre and film entry in the genre’s history, it is incredibly impressive for its wideContinue reading “Praise for Horror Unmasked: A History of Terror from ‘Nosferatu’ to Nope’”
• Horror at the drive-in
  Halloween Ends Dir: David Gordon Green Scr: Paul Brad Logan, Chris Bernier, Danny McBride, David Gordon Green Phot: Michael Simmonds Ed: Timothy Alverson Premiere: Oct. 14, 2022 111 min. Smile Dir: Parker Finn Scr: Parker Finn Phot: Charlie Sarroff Ed: Elliot Greenberg Premiere: Sept. 20, 2022 115 min. Who doesn’t love the drive-in? What say? You’ve haven’t been lately? Well, you don’t know what you’re missing. WeContinue reading “Horror at the drive-in”
• The Black Phone
  The Black Phone Dir: Scott Derrickson Scr: Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill Phot: Brett Jutkiewicz Ed: Frederic Thoraval Premiere: June 24, 2022 103 min. There’s a lot going on in “The Black Phone.” It’s a serial-killer story. It’s a ghost story. It’s a psychic-child story. It’s even a coming-of-age story. All these stories chug alongside each other, straining credulity in an uneven film that stands out primarilyContinue reading “The Black Phone”
• Festivalizing
  When your book is finished, the job of writing it is done. There is much more work to be done afterwards. The last time I checked in with you, it was right after my book launch in August. That sold-out event was a great boost to my sales and my ego. However, the writer can’t just sit back and hope the book sells. The post-writing life ofContinue reading “Festivalizing”
• The Big Show
  Well, I finally had a book launch. Why did it take so long? Better still, what is a book launch? After the miracle of being published comes the hard and necessary work of selling your book. My book slipped unobtrusively onto Amazon and like entities in April, my official publication date the 17th. Still, there had been no public ceremony around its landing on the market. Naturally,Continue reading “The Big Show”