It Came from the Closet

Queer Reflections on Horror

De: Joe Vallese - editor, various authors

Narrado por: Graham Halstead, Aven Shore, Aida Reluzco, Mark Sanderlin, Tori Barron, Krystal Hammond, Daniel Henning, Ron Butler, Hope Newhouse, Lindsey Dorcus, André Santana, Joel Froomkin, Mike Cooper, Em Grosland

Through the lens of horror—from Halloween to Hereditary—queer and trans writers consider the films that deepened, amplified, and illuminated their own experiences.

Horror movies hold a complicated space in the hearts of the queer community: historically misogynist, and often homo- and transphobic, the genre has also been inadvertently feminist and open to subversive readings. Common tropes—such as the circumspect and resilient “final girl,” body possession, costumed villains, secret identities, and things that lurk in the closet—spark moments of eerie familiarity and affective connection. Still, viewers often remain tasked with reading themselves into beloved films, seeking out characters and set pieces that speak to, mirror, and parallel the unique ways queerness encounters the world.

It Came from the Closet features twenty-five original essays by writers speaking to this relationship, through connections both empowering and oppressive. From Carmen Maria Machado on Jennifer’s Body, Jude Ellison S. Doyle on In My Skin, Addie Tsai on Dead Ringers, and many more, these conversations convey the rich reciprocity between queerness and horror.

Full cast: Daniel Henning, André Santana, Tori Barron, Ron Butler, Emmett Grosland, Lindsey Dorcus, Joel Froomkin, Aven Shore, Mike Cooper, Mark Sanderlin, Krystal Hammond, Graham Halstead, Aida Reluzco, Hope Newhouse, Vikas Adam.

©2022 Compilation and introduction © 2022 by Joe Vallese. Individual copyright retained by the respective contributors (P)2022 by Blackstone Publishing

A Peek into Parallel Perspectives

An enlightening compilation! As an ally, I enjoyed this review of horror classics from a new perspective. I have been reintroduced to the genre aware of parallels that in my own experience have been previously overlooked. Definitely a captivatingly interesting read!

Essential Reading for Queer Horror Fans

Fascinating read containing several essays from different writers exploring and analyzing horror classics through a queer lens. As an anthology, I found some essays more interesting than others, but with this many perspectives there is something for every reader.

Interesting subject matter, hard to listen to

the essays are very good, but whoever cast the readers did so very badly distracting mistakes.

essential queer stories

was pleasantly surprised by so many of these distinctive personal essays with smart analysis. Learned quite a bit and obviously I must revisit Sleepaway Camp!

if you're a horror fan listen/read This

the stories will resonate more with a queer audience, however anybody who's in love with horrible will enjoy each and every single point of view!!

This is not a book about queer horror

This is a book about people who like horror who are queer. It’s mostly people just talking about their own coming out stories and how those loosely (very loosely) tie to popular horror movies.

This is not worth your money. Just Google some queer horror essays or YouTube videos and save a credit.