Mike Flanagan's Oculus Launches Elevated Horror Era

Mike Flanagan has emerged as a defining figure in contemporary horror, particularly noted for his focus on family trauma as a central theme, as exemplified in his film Oculus where siblings confront a haunted mirror intertwined with their past. Beyond directing, Flanagan actively promotes indie horror films on platforms like Letterboxd, recently praising Goran Stolevski's You Won't Be Alone as a poetic and contemplative exploration of identity and alienation in a horror context. The psychological horror genre, with roots dating back to classics like Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, continues to evolve, blending mental anguish and supernatural elements to explore themes such as generational trauma and social commentary, as seen in recent films like Smile and Midsommar. Animated horror films such as Monster House have made the genre accessible to younger audiences by literalizing horror tropes like anthropomorphized houses, combining spooky atmosphere with emotional storytelling and references to classic horror cinema. Additionally, niche collaborations like the Edward Gorey x Heretic Parfum collection evoke a blend of haunted holiday themes, marrying dark Victorian aesthetics with scent to create an immersive experience that appeals to fans of both Halloween and Christmas. Collectively, these developments illustrate the genre's expansion beyond traditional scares to incorporate deeper emotional and cultural layers, engaging diverse audiences across mediums.