Horror as a genre has existed for centuries. Scary fables and myths have been part of human history since forever, and have remained with our culture ever since. We, as a species, actually enjoy being scared, so long as we have control over the situation. Horror entertainment has evolved alongside society, and in each decade, that is reflected.
From the monster fiction films of the 1950s and ‘60s to the slasher flicks of the 1990s to the found footage features of the 2010s, horror content has reflected the cultural fears of the time. And in our modern era, horror has adapted to match our modern technology. Analog horror, sometimes also referred to as “digital horror” or “Internet horror,” has become incredibly popular in the current decade.
Analog horror is typecast by a few different elements. For example, there is a heavy emphasis placed on older technology, such as big TVs, VHS tapes, and cassette tapes. Another aspect of analog horror is the uncanny valley, wherein the horror is derived from things that look almost human, but aren’t quite right. Finally, the elements of distortion and corruption are also heavy-handed in analog horror.
Where on the internet is analog horror found, though? The most common place points to video-sharing website YouTube. The longform video content available on YouTube is the perfect place for analog horror series to thrive and grow, and the genre is incredibly popular nowadays. Some popular series include Martin Walls’ The Walten Files, Alex Kister’s Mandela Catalog, and Alex Casanas’ Monument Mythos.
Analog horror, while a recent genre, does have some pioneers in its field. Series like Local 58 and Gemini Home Entertainment are particular standouts in analog horror history. Local 58 has been terrorizing viewers since 2015.
What about this genre makes it scary though? Analog horror is often slow-paced, and doesn’t have the jumpscares a lot of conventional horror films do. Rather, it inspires dread in the viewer, and pushes the viewer to come to their own, often horrifying, conclusions about the content.
Sophomore Leia Firman agrees, saying, “I like the psychological aspect of it all. The fear of the unknown and the curiosities of the uncertain are big parts of the genre.”
Senior Carson Butcher also agrees. Butcher is an avid horror enthusiast and loves analog horror, naming multiple series as his favorites. “I think what makes analog horror so scary is that with most series, we as the viewers are seeing things we definitely aren’t supposed to be seeing.” While the “I shouldn’t have watched this” element of analog horror is prominent, it’s also the blend of reality and fiction that’s scary. Butcher continues on, elaborating with, “The things in these series aren’t completely out of this world. It’s walking this thin line of reality and fraud that can give people the heebie-jeebies.”
The final aspect of analog horror which really makes it scary is just why it unnerves people. Many students and people online agree there is something fundamentally off about analog horror. Some people are scared by slashers and others by ghosts, but most people can generally agree that this new genre of digital horror creates a deep sense of dread.
Perhaps one of the most popular reasons as to why analog horror terrifies people so badly is its connection to nostalgia. VHS tapes and fuzzy TV screens have heavy-handed roles to play in the genre, and it is this that creates a sense of unease in the viewer. It is the corruption of something nostalgiac, something safe, into something threatening and scary. Analog horror represents the warping of childhood joy, and comfort – something that’s clearly a cultural fear.
Analog horror is clearly breaking into a niche of its own, and hopefully, the genre stays around a lot longer. With its accessibility and its creative, inspired take on an ancient form of storytelling, perhaps the genre will continue to grow and improve even more. What’s more, it’s incredibly easy to get into. Log onto YouTube and type in, “analog horror,” and hundreds of series will pop up. “I highly recommend analog horror to anyone who wants something to think about late at night,” concluded Butcher.
