[Editorial] Editor’s Note: Puberty, But Make it Horror

Monstrous Musings

Someone once told me that they were first introduced to horror when they watched Tobe Hooper’s classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, at the age of four. You read that correctly, the age of four.

Whether it was true or not, it seemed completely abstract and equally shocking to me that they would have had access to such a film at that age, and even remembering the experience. But since then, many horror fans I have spoken to have told a similar tale, in which their horror journey began at a somewhat very young age. 

My personal journey started a lot later–my parents were very liberal, and not strict at all but they never allowed me to watch horror films until I was a teenager. That’s not to say my love for all things spooky wasn’t already apparent, and encouraged, quite the opposite. My Dad and I always watched The X-Files, my favourite books were ‘real’ ghost story tales collected from road trips, and I was obsessed to my core with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yet I wasn’t introduced to my first proper horror film until I was around 13 years old, which in comparison to most other horror fans is quite late in terms of developing a relationship with the genre. I didn’t have any older siblings, nor close cousins that could introduce me to horror, so I had to wait until my parents finally gave the approval.

That first horror film was Sam Raimi’s 1981 The Evil Dead which scared the shit out of me, and was my awakening to what it means to feel truly scared by a film. There is something incredibly powerful about the first horror film you see, and the one that really makes you feel something you’ve never felt before. Which is why this month at Ghouls Magazine we’re covering ‘Coming-of-age’ horror. That can be interpreted in any way you choose–whether with Julia Ducournau’s Raw which explores the primal, sexual awakening,  in realising your strengths through Brian De Palma’s Carrie, or with a film that defines your own personal coming-of-age horror journey. 

Of course, Lee Cronin’s entry into the Evil Dead franchise is being released on 21st April, therefore for me it seemed fitting for us to look at those coming-of-age films that really define that terminology. And if you’re not overwhelmed with excitement for Evil Dead Rise, then you’re doing something wrong… 

What’s happening at Ghouls?

Are you surprised to hear that once again we have SO MUCH going on? We’re all pretty damn excited about this year as every month is a banger so far. 

In March we were looking at the theme of ‘Good For Her’ because not only was International Women’s Day on 8th March, but also it was officially Women In Horror Month (although it’s pretty much always that for us). Ariel Powers-Schaub, Liz Bishop and Amber T got together to share some of their more unusual ‘Good For Her’ horror film recommendations on the latest episode of the podcast! Then I got to meet up with the wonderful Freudian Cinephile Mary Wild, where we each brought our top 3 femme fatales in the Psychotic Women in Horror podcast episode, which is available just for members. 

We had to slightly reschedule our Death Proof night at True Romance pizza due to snow, BOO, but we postponed and had a fun night with pizza and cocktails. If you’re around we’ll be back on Thursday 20th April with THE EVIL DEAD. Now you understand all my preamble at the top there… It’s going to be a busy one so keep your eyes out for some more details on this. What is exciting though is that we will be hosting a quiz night too!

There are lots of other events coming up soon, so if you’re keen to be the first to know about them, then bookmark our Ghouls Magazine Events page. What we do have coming up in May is a virtual panel discussion hosted by Assistant Editor, Rebecca McCallum on Working Class Representation in Horror. This is happening on 2nd May at 6pm BST and will be livestreamed across YouTube and Facebook. Guests include Kat Hughes, Mal Jutley, Caitlyn Downs,  Mx Bel Morrigan and Michael Fausti. 

Also in May, our very own Senior Contributor, Liz Bishop will be joining our good friends Mike Muncer and Becky Darke over at The Evolution of Horror, for a live panel Q&A about Ken Russell’s film The Lair of the White Worm. This is happening on Thursday 18th May at The Mockingbird Cinema in Birmingham. So make sure you grab your tickets!

Speaking of The Mockingbird Cinema, we have something planned… We can’t release the full details yet but let’s just say you should keep Saturday 17th June blocked out your calendar–you’ll also need your PJs and a strong shot of coffee. More details coming soon.

What’s in it for you? Well hopefully by now you’ve cottoned on to all the amazing content we bring you on a monthly basis, but if not, then here’s what you’ll get this April:

• [Podcast episode] I’ll be chatting with some of the Ghouls about what horror film defined their coming-of-age journey

• [Podcast episode] Ariel Powers-Schaub is joined by Sarah Miles, Kat Hughes and Alix Turner to discuss what they’re been watching recently

• [Podcast bonus ep] Rebecca has roped me into watching something I have never seen and we’ll be discussing Picnic At Hanging Rock

• [Article] List QUEEN Kim Morrison is back with a listicle of Coming-Of-Age horror films

• [Article] Ariel Powers-Schaub will be taking a detailed look at the character of Shiloh in Repo! The Genetic Opera

• [Article] Short list QUEEN Melissa Cox is looking at some coming-of-age short horror film suggestions 

We love hearing from you, so if you have any suggestions please shoot them our way: editor@ghoulsmagazine.com

Thank you again to all our members for constantly supporting us, it means the world! Big shoutout to our newest members: Zoe Allard, Jill Hollingsworth and Laurence Boag-Matthews.

As I write this, I am about to head off to a little press event for episode 2 of cannibal coming-of-age horror show, Yellowjackets. I’ve even dug out an old yellow leather jacket to wear… So if I am looking hungrier than usual next time you see me, just know I’ve finally discovered I have a taste for human meat. Oh, and make sure you watch the show–it’s awesome so far!

Love & guts,

Zoë xx

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