[TV Review] Behind The Monsters (2021)

Just like the infamous medical scientist Victor Frankenstein from Mary Shelley’s gothic classic Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus, the creators behind the villains of horror cinema played god and gave birth to creatures and monsters that went on to gain such notoriety and infamy that they then became household names the world over.

The new Shudder series Behind The Monsters is an in depth examination of how some of the most famous horror antagonists were created and grew up to become the stuff of nightmares.

Having watched numerous documentaries on the subject of horror, it’s indeed extremely refreshing for a documentary series to feature interviews with a diverse spectrum of people. Ranging from horror fans, actors, podcasters, industry insiders and experts in the field of terror, the wrap-around opinion footage is fascinating as the audience are made privy to how each monster or villain has affected the lives of fans and their enjoyment of the horror genre. 

Then of course, the veil is lifted as viewers are shown into “Frankenstein’s lab” and the creators behind both the original character concept and the physical design and effects lay bare all of the secrets behind some of horror’s greatest monsters. Beginning with Michael Myers from horror juggernaut Halloween (1978) directed by John Carpenter. Viewers are treated to a demonstration of how the original mask was created from the likeness of William Shatner, providing a testimony as to how effective creations do not need a large budget behind them. The standout episode is the second installment of Behind the Monsters: Candyman (1992) and how the concept from the Clive Barker short story The Forbidden became a cultural phenomenon, causing audiences to be petrified of standing in front of their bathroom mirror. With a contribution from the original actor behind Candyman, Tony Todd, it soon becomes apparent that the character was a collective effort and would not be the legend he is today without the input of Todd. 

Behind The Monsters is a complete delight for horror movie enthusiasts and casual watchers alike. The episodes do not linger too long on minute technological details or involve lengthy interviews with the usual participants, but instead contain just enough detail to quench any sort of interest in horror movie character design, thus becoming an important source for anyone enticed by this facet of cinema. To quote acclaimed horror literary author Stephen King’s classic novel The Shining: “Sometimes human places create inhuman monsters.". This is the complete premise of Shudder’s Behind The Monsters. The monsters, murderers and villains that lurk and stalk our most terrifying and spine-chilling nightmares are born from entirely human minds and hands. 

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