A review by itcamefromthepage
Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film by Carol J. Clover

fast-paced

5.0

 An essential text on the horror genre and a damn good exploration of where our sympathies lie as a viewer. I would love to find a queer text of a similar vein as this book does examine queer themes of gender expression, and gender identity but doesn't go fully down the trans lens.

The only part of this text that I was a little meh on was the final chapter on psychoanalysis and that was mainly because I am immensely bored by it, but Clovers actual views on it were very interesting.

The direct nature of the horror genre where themes are really in your face make a text like this captivating. Going in I expected a more general overview so I was quite surprised to hear in-depth dissections of movies like 'I spit on your grave' and 'Ms. 45'.

Toxic masculinity, and gender expression take center stage here, which finally broke into mainstream discussion in the recent years.