Chapter 6: Stephen King’s Horror Films and Child Abuse and Neglect: Lessons to Be Learned for Understanding, Assistance, and Prevention

While there are many legitimate criticisms of violent media, some assert that viewing violence may provide a safe place for people to explore emotions and reflect on critical issues (Jones, 2003). Horror films are one genre of violent media that, while sometimes gratuitous and lacking critical messaging, often addresses important social issues. Writing for CNN, Brandon Tensley (2019) argued the recent spate of “political horror” movies has made “horror films emerge as [the] best political commentary of our times.” Producer Sean McKittrick (Antebellum, Get Out and Us), says horror is an ideal conduit for politically charged stories. “Most of our fears have some sort of social context to them. All these fears we have—racism and ignorance and hate and this polarization of politics—it’s all based in and fueled by fear. So what better way to explore social problems than through genre film?” (Riley & Jackson, 2020).