Horror is queer. And Shudder’s latest documentary series Queer for Fear wants to make sure everyone knows it. Because, well, it’s true. And it’s about time we looked at the distinct queerness of horror as a genre. Not to mention, it’s time we acknowledged the queerness of horror’s many icons. In anticipation of the documentary’s late September release, Queer for Fear has released its first trailer. And it gives us a delicious taste of what’s to come.
The description of the trailer shares more about what we can expect from Queer for Fear. It notes:
From executive producer Bryan Fuller (Hannibal), Queer for Fear is a four-part documentary series about the history of the LGBTQ+ community in the horror and thriller genres. From its literary origins with queer authors Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and Oscar Wilde to the pansy craze of the 1920s that influenced Universal Monsters and Hitchcock; from the “lavender scare” alien invasion films of the mid-20th century to the AIDS obsessed bloodletting of 80s vampire films; through genre-bending horrors from a new generation of queer creators; Queer for Fear re-examines genre stories through a queer lens, seeing them not as violent, murderous narratives, but as tales of survival that resonate thematically with queer audiences everywhere.
We love how the Queer for Fear trailer gets right to the point. In case you thought maybe you hadn’t partaken in any queer horror… This series is here to remind you that you definitely have. Werewolves, queer. Dracula, queer. It’s all queer in horror-land, folks. And we can’t wait to see more than sneak peeks , clips, and trailers for Queer for Fear. We have a feeling this docuseries will offer nuanced, hard-hitting takes. Ones that will help horror fans and fans of queer media alike reconceptualize their view on the genre.
According to a release:
Queer for Fear features interviews with series consultant Renée “Nay” Bever(“Attack of the Queerwolf” Podcast co-host), Mark Gatiss (Co-Creator, Writer & Actor, Sherlock and Dracula on BBC), Kimberly Peirce (Writer and Director, Boys Don’t Cry, Carrie (2013), Lea DeLaria (Actor, The Rocky Horror Picture Show(2000), Orange is the New Black), Jennifer Tilly (Actor, Child’s Play franchise), Karyn Kusama (Director, Jennifer’s Body, Yellowjackets), Leslye Headland (Creator, Russian Doll), Oz Perkins (Writer & Director, Gretel & Hansel), and more.
That’s quite an impressive lineup. And we know it will be amazing in action. We hope to hear from Bryan Fuller, too, of course. Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror releases on Shudder on September 30. New episodes will stream weekly. So make sure to tune in soon. And a very happy queer ghoul autumn to all!
