The horror genre has come a long way over the decades. From silent films like The House of the Devil to the Golden Age of Monsters in the 1930s that gave us legends like Dracula and Frankenstein, to the psychological scares of the 60s and 70s in films like Psycho or The Exorcist, and the slasher mayhem of the 80s, the genre has never stayed in one coffin for long. It was later revitalized by self-aware modern horror that blended horror with social commentary, like Get Out. But lately, filmmakers have been revisiting classic horror tropes to create a unique experience for horror fans.

Ross Partridge, who is no stranger to the horror genre himself, shared his thoughts on what might be driving this resurgence of old-school horror elements in contemporary cinema.  

Looking at classic horror icons like Dracula in Nosferatu, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, or Pennywise in Welcome to Derry—Ross Partridge, in a chat with Netflix Junkie, suggested that their resurgence comes from a shift toward a more fantastical, less realistic approach, as a break from the harsh realities of life. “The realities of our lives are pretty horrific, you know, in the world itself. So being able to kind of elevate it in a way that makes it a little less real, but equally as fun and scary.” He added that people feel "a need to have some sort of release into the escape of where we're at right now.”

Partridge also credited the “loyal” fanbase for reigniting the demand for classic horror and helping these stories succeed. “It’s a collective group that’s really supportive and is out there and is really looking for the characters in the movies and these stories to continue,” he said. Recently, several projects have emerged that clearly attest to Partridge’s point.

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It is not just mainstream movies—independent cinema has been adding to this trend as well.

Good Boy is an independent film directed by Ben Leonberg that also starred his own dog, Indy. It is about Indy and his owner (played by Leonberg) as they settle into a cabin in the woods, only to find themselves haunted by a mysterious supernatural presence. The film blurs the line between what is real and what is not. Although it does not feature any  monsters, it does mark a resurgence of psychological depth in modern horror cinema.

Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, mixes music, setting, and horror to dig into what it really means to exist and belong. The vampires in the film act as more than monsters, though. They are a metaphorical nod to the classics of horror. And last but not least, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein transforms the old boxy, green, one-note creature into a fully fleshed-out, nuanced character that feels both fresh and haunting.

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What do you think about Ross Partridge's views on the resurgence of classic horror? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!