NIGHTMARES IN RED, WHITE AND BLUE

Nightmares in Red, White and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film examines the idea that horror films reflect the times and places in which they are made, illustrating how classic monster movies exploited the anxieties of war-time generations, and how more savage modern horror films stem from the psychic fallout of America's counterculture movement and the subsequent rise of increasingly conservative political forces.

At the same time, the documentary explores the timeless, universal appeal of horror movies by examining the pervasive theme of The Outsider. From the silent films of Lon Chaney to the box office reign of Hannibal Lector and his peers, the history of the horror film is a story of the individual at odds with any organisation that threatens his life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

In-depth interviews with many of the nation's greatest horror filmmakers reveal that the appeal of the genre is rooted not only in timely fears but in the spirit of rebellion, a spirit that consistently defines American life, as well as many of its best horror filmmakers.