Something that I love about horror as a genre is its seemingly limitless number of subgenres. This is true whether you’re digging into horror on-screen or on the page. Without even taking direct adaptations into account, if you find yourself captivated by an original horror movie concept, there’s almost surely a book out there for you that’s at least playing in the same subgenre sandbox.
Here are five reading recommendations to pair with your favourite horror movie subgenres. The ways in which these pairings complement each other vary — some channel certain character dynamics, others, a specific setting or atmosphere.
The Bay
The Bay
If you like found footage body horror like The Bay (2012), try The Troop by Nick Cutter.
The Witch
The Witch
If you like New England folk horror like The Witch (2015), try Slewfoot by Brom.
If you like girls’ trips gone horribly wrong like The Descent (2005), try Getaway by Zoje Stage.
If you like dark thrillers with unredeemable narrators like American Psycho (2000), try Tampa by Alissa Nutting.
If you like self-aware slashers like Scream (1996), try My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones.
Which reads would you pair with your favorite horror subgenre? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
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Thanks for the collection. Do you know a book similar to Hereditary by Ari Aster? I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time.