First published 2012
While Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese built their early reputations in mainstream cinema, another group of filmmakers transformed horror into something entirely new. Jason Zinoman chronicles how directors like Wes Craven, Roman Polanski, and John Carpenter reimagined the genre during the 1970s. These filmmakers drew from their personal fears and cultural tensions to craft horror movies with stark realism and sharp political commentary. Their work produced classics from Rosemary's Baby through Halloween, establishing patterns that countless later films would copy without matching. Zinoman gained direct access to the key figures who shaped this era, allowing him to tell the complete story of how these creators turned their anxieties into art. The book captures a pivotal moment when horror cinema gained new depth and influence, documenting the parallel film movement that emerged alongside the celebrated New Hollywood directors of the same decade.
Genres: history, horror, non-fiction, film
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-commentary, personal-fears
Period: 1970s
296 pages · Paperback · Penguin Publishing Group