Monstrous Musings: What’s So Damn Funny About Horror?

The article explores the historical relationship between horror and comedy in film. Comic elements have appeared in horror since early cinema through various means: comic relief characters, spoofing, and parodies like Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein. Over time, horror and comedy became more organically intertwined, with filmmakers like Roger Corman, John Landis, and Joe Dante blending both elements. The 1980s saw the rise of teen-friendly horror comedies, while Scream revitalized the subgenre by inviting audiences to laugh at horror clichés. Currently, comedians including Jordan Peele and Zach Cregger are pivoting to horror, creating original and innovative work. The article suggests this comedy-to-horror pipeline reflects how comedic sensibilities have always paired well with horror, and that these contemporary creators are bringing respectability to the genre while attracting new audiences.

Original article published on Fangoria — AI-generated summary. Visit the website to read the full article at the source.