Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein might be the earliest example of body horror, a subgenre of horror that focuses on mutation, destruction and transformation of the human form.
These ideas were explored further in classics like The Wolfman and Phantom of the Opera, or intertwined within science fiction in everything from The Fly to Attack of the 50 Foot Woman.
Body horror hit its heyday in the 1980s, where advances in practical effects work helped realise the tactile, sanguineous visions of filmmakers like David Cronenberg (Videodrome), John Carpenter (The Thing), George A Romero (Day of the Dead) and Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator).
Recently, body horror has seen a resurgence in popularity. The Covid-19 pandemic reacquainted everyone with the vulnerabilities and limitations of their corporeal forms. Cosmetic surgery is also becoming increasingly prevalent, as are arguments relating to abortion and gender affirmation.
Couple these themes with a global push to amplify marginalised and under-represented voices, and a growing recognition of horror as a versatile and respected genre, and the result has been a wave of diverse, innovative and even confrontational films.
This week sees the release of horror-infused romcom Together in cinemas. In the film, real-life partners Alison Brie and Dave Franco play a couple whose relationship takes a frightening turn after a bizarre supernatural encounter triggers a more visceral, inextricable connection between them.