This 4-week course will look at the history of the horror genre. We will learn how horror filmmakers have crafted stories to entertain and terrify audiences for over 100 years, explore how the genre explores stories we couldn’t tell in any other way, and why, despite its peaks and troughs, horror never dies.

“I'm going to give the people what they want. Sensation. Horror. Shock.” – Vincent Price, House of Wax (1953).

From the moment Frankenstein’s monster lurched to life, nothing can stop us going to the movies to watch something truly terrifying. Horror films occupy a unique space in the world of Cinema. Popular with audiences and frequently reviled by critics, the Horror genre offers a place for moviegoers to explore their worst nightmares, all from the safety of their seats.

This 4-week course explores the history of one of the oldest genres in film, from its silent origins to Hollywood domination. We will look at how, over the last century, filmmakers have used horror to not just shock and terrify, but to tell stories about the nature of humanity. We will learn how the masters of Horror reflected societies’ fears, and why audiences the world over just love to be scared!

FURTHER INFORMATION

Price: £55/ £50 conc / £45 Members

Tutor: Dr. Hannah Straw

Booking Information:

This 4 week course will run at Phoenix on Thursdays, 7pm – 8.30pm, from 12 March – 2 April 2026.

You must be 18 or over to attend.

Course Breakdown:

Week 1: It’s Alive! – In week one we will explore the origins of the horror genre, from German Expressionism to the atomic age.

Week 2: The Masters of Horror – We explore the next wave of horror filmmaking beginning in the 1960s from William Castle to Hammer and folk horror.

Week 3: Enter The Chainsaws – We look at the most prolific period of Horror-movie making in cinema history: The late 1970s and the 80s, including horror franchises and the rise of Stephen King.

Week 4: The Killer Never Dies – we will look at the decline of the Horror movie post 1990 and its re-emergence as a dynamic force in filmmaking over the last decade from schlocky remakes to A24 and the rise of 'elevated horror'.

Cancellation Policy:

We do not offer refunds for cancellations of bookings, except in exceptional circumstances. In the event that an advertised course is withdrawn, we will endeavour to give 7 days’ notice and a full refund will be made.

View our Learner Agreement.

ABOUT THE TUTOR

Dr Hannah Straw is a historian specialising in early modern society and culture. She also researches the history of horror cinema, most recently looking at the

Terrifier franchise.

Her research looks at libertinism, scandal, and celebrity, and she is particularly interested in how morality has been understood throughout history. She has many interests in the fields of film and media, ranging from horror cinema to costume and set design, and LGBTQ+ representation on screen.