[Editorial] 8 Coming of Age Horror Shorts

Being a teenager can be a horror show in itself. Growing up and having to face the horrors of the adult world, finding your own identity in an uncertain world - all while going through the unsettling bodily metamorphosis of puberty.

So, it’s no surprise that the horror genre often focuses on this age group, with bloody proms, slashers at summer camps and poltergeist-plagued teens making frequent appearances. These coming-of-age horror shorts explore a variety of teenage troubles - vicious bullies, changing bodies, school gossip, peer pressure - but with an added dose of horror.

Dead Teenager Séance (2018)

Rocky and his girlfriend Punky are a teenage couple performing a classic coming-of-age ritual: sneaking into a creepy old house and making out. When Punky meets a tragic end at the hands of the urban-legend killer Adam, she finds out just how popular this pastime was with the local youth. She joins the “stupid teenagers club” of the ghosts of teenagers past, who were all killed while exploring the house, and have vowed revenge on their murderer. Funny and stylish, Dead Teenager Séance is a spooky delight with a Rocky Horror feel.

The Birch (2016)

Bullying is an all-too-common experience for many growing up - an isolating coming of age trial that’s also shared by many. In The Birch, Kris is being tormented by a boy from school, and his grandmother worries that she won’t be around very much longer to protect him. She shares with him a book, bound in tree bark, that will allow him to call on protection from an ancient source. The Birch is short and simple yet powerful and showcases some truly stunning creature design.

Tantrums (2020)

In the opening scene of Tantrums, we see teenager Francis, who is clearly troubled by something. He repeats over and over: “it’s a fucking slap in the face”, seemingly obsessing over a slight done to him. It’s only later, when this phrase comes up again, that we understand how manipulative Francis is and begin to wonder what else he might be capable of. Tantrums is a taught and sparse miniature thriller, a brief glimpse at a budding sociopathic mind. 

Class Rules (2020) 

A large part of growing up is having to learn how to independently deal with the jerks of this world. In Class Rules, one of the students has her own supernatural method of teaching a lesson to the obnoxious boys in her class. It seems that they’re not the first to have been on the receiving end of her grisly form of retribution, but we also learn that she’s maybe not the only one dabbling in occult forces.  

The Boogeywoman (2019)

A first period is a tangible coming-of-age moment for most girls and has become a common instigating event in female-centred horror films like Carrie (1976) and Ginger Snaps (2000). In The Boogeywoman, Sam gets her period just before an outing with friends, who start to tease her about the local legend of the Boogeywoman, a witch-like figure that feeds on men’s souls. When Sam seeks out this mysterious figure, she comes to find a source of power and confidence, rather than fear. 

Prombies (2007)

There’s no event that exemplifies coming-of-age in America quite like the high school prom, and it’s a staple of teen horror too - the perfect occasion for a blood-soaked set piece finale. In Prombies, Amy’s prom night becomes a nightmare as her classmates start turning into zombies - but with a fixation on body parts somewhat further south than brains. With even her boyfriend Darryl joining the horny horde, Amy must decide whether to evade the zombies - or join them. Shot in black and white in the style of classic monster movies, Prombies is a fun send up of both classic horror and teen romcoms.

V (2017)

A vampire might seem an odd focus for a coming-of-age story, as they’re entities that are essentially stuck at the same point of life for an eternity. But V deftly draws parallels between the teenage experience and the process of becoming one of the undead. While vampire Minnie has to deal with unusual problems like harvesting blood to survive, she still has more universal troubles like growing apart from friends, bad relationships and parent issues. The realistic documentary style creates a real sense of intimacy, and the film is anchored by an excellent and relatable performance from Synnøve Karlsen.

Rue (2017)

Urban legends are a staple of teen horror - the campfire tale or stories about the creepy local house are breathlessly told and retold as gospel fact. The legend in Rue has a fascinating motivation - it seeks out those with guilty consciences. When a teenage girl suspects that her friend has become involved with a teacher, she invokes the local legend via a class paper. Rue is an interestingly bleak tale, exploring the nature of guilt and innocence and bringing folk horror into the everyday setting of a school. The ending features an unforgettably uncanny creature in a truly scary climax.

GHOULS GANG DISCOUNTED SHOP

RELATED ARTICLES

---