[Editorial] Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

There are many examples of strong, smart women in horror but one of the first to spring into my mind is Clarice Starling.

Putting aside the debate and conceding that The Silence of the Lambs is a horror film, from the opening shot where we see the trainee FBI agent tackling an assault course alone this reflects how Starling will make her journey without depending on others. This also evidences her endurance; Clarice is not just intellectually adept; she also has physical prowess.

The film’s heroine has many admirable qualities including her conviction towards saving the kidnapped Catherine, courage to enter into some of the most extreme and dangerous situations and determination to keep going no matter what. While tenacious and focused, Clarice is importantly not shut off to vulnerability and is shown to have human reactions to events that occur, such as the incident with Miggs and the autopsy scene.

What sets Starling apart is that she never compromises herself and is an able match for any of the vast number of men that surround her. Sent to coax knowledge from Lecter precisely because she is a woman, she successfully navigates the grotesqueness of Chilton, confidently receives and returns during verbal exchanges with Lecter and challenges her male superior Jack Crawford’s attitude towards women, reminding him of the example he is responsible for setting.

Furthermore, Clarice eschews the advice of her counterparts by engaging with Lecter on a level they are not prepared for and, as a result, she achieves what they cannot; she earns his respect. Often the only woman in the room, Clarice is never sexualised nor does she assume the role of victim and what she accomplishes she does so through her own merit which is grounded firmly in reality. Let’s hear it for Clarice: a woman deserving of her iconic status within the genre!

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24 Nov 2023

[Editorial] 10 Films & Events to Catch at Soho Horror Film Fest 2023

24 Nov 2023

Now it’s time for Soho’s main 2023 event, which is presented over two weekends: a live film festival at the Whirled Cinema in Brixton, London, and an online festival a week later. Both have very rich and varied programmes (with no overlap this year), with something for every horror fan.

24 Nov 2023

2 Nov 2023

[Editorial] 9 Horror Nintendo Switch Games To Play

2 Nov 2023

In the six years since its release the Nintendo Switch has amassed an extensive catalogue of games, with everything from puzzle platformer games to cute farming sims to, uh, whatever Waifu Uncovered is.

2 Nov 2023

22 Oct 2023

[Mother of Fears] Mothering in Silence in A Quiet Place (2018)

22 Oct 2023

A Quiet Place (2018) opens 89 days after a race of extremely sound-sensitive creatures show up on Earth, perhaps from an exterritorial source. If you make any noise, even the slightest sound, you’re likely to be pounced upon by these extremely strong and staggeringly fast creatures and suffer a brutal death.

22 Oct 2023

14 Oct 2023

[Editorial] 5 Female Focused Horror Book Recommendations

14 Oct 2023

If you like cults, sacrificial parties, and lesbian undertones then Mona Awad’s Bunny is the book for you. Samantha, a student at a prestigious art university, feels isolated from her cliquey classmates, ‘the bunnies’.

14 Oct 2023

26 Sep 2023

[Editorial] 9 Best Slashers Released Within 10 Years of Scream (1996)

26 Sep 2023

The slasher sub genre has always been huge in the world of horror, but after the ‘70s and ‘80s introduced classic characters like Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Leatherface, and Jason, it’s not harsh to say that the ‘90s was slightly lacking in the icon department.

26 Sep 2023

24 Sep 2023

[Mother of Fears] Mother Vs. Monster in Silent Hill (2006)

24 Sep 2023

Mother is God in the eyes of a child, and it seems God has abandoned the town of Silent Hill. Silent Hill is not a place you want to visit.

24 Sep 2023

31 Aug 2023

[Editorial] 9 Terrifying Cerebral Visions in Horror Movies

31 Aug 2023

Being able to see into the future or back into the past is a superpower that a lot of us would like to have. And while it may seem cool, in horror movies it usually involves characters being sucked into terrifying situations as they try to save themselves or other people with the information they’ve gleaned in their visions.

31 Aug 2023

27 Aug 2023

[Mother of Fears] I Don’t Wanna Be Buried in a Pet Sematary (1989) and (2019)

27 Aug 2023

Both the original Pet Sematary (1989) and its 2019 remake are stories about the way death and grief can affect people in different ways. And while the films centre on Louis Creed and his increasingly terrible decision-making process, there’s no doubt that the story wouldn’t pack the same punch or make the same sense without his wife, Rachel.

27 Aug 2023

23 Jul 2023

[Mother of Fears] How I Love to Love Nadine in The Stand (2020)

23 Jul 2023

The story focuses on a group of survivors after most of the world’s population is wiped out by Captain Trips, a lethal super-flu. And while there are enough horrors to go around in a story like this, the real focus of King’s book is how those who survive react to the changing world around them.

23 Jul 2023

18 Jul 2023

[Editorial] 11 Best Werewolf Transformations in Horror Films

18 Jul 2023

While some films successfully opt to leave the transformation scene out completely, like the wonderful Dog Soldiers (2002), those who decide to include it need to make sure they get it right, or it can kill the whole vibe of the film. So load up on silver bullets, mark your calendar for the next full moon, and check out 11 of the best werewolf transformations!

18 Jul 2023