The Body Horror Film Genre and Adolescent Development:

A Psychoanalytic Perspective

by Donald Campbell

This presentation will consider the relationship between the attraction of the body horror film genre for adolescents and the impact of puberty.  The body of the horror film monster—a condensation of contradictions—triggers an emotional reaction of disgust and a visceral response of squeamishness in the adolescent who is, by virtue of the physiological changes initiated by puberty, particularly sensitive to his or her own body— a developing body which contradicts earlier self-images and sensations.  Dario Argento’s (1985) film Phenomena will be used to illustrate adolescent conflicts, anxieties and solutions stimulated by sexual and muscular bodily changes.

Donald Campbell, a child, adolescent and adult psychoanalyst, works in the National Health Service and in private practice.  He has written on violence, suicide, child sexual abuse and adolescence.  He served as Chairman of the Portman Clinic and is currently President of the British Psychoanalytical Society.

  epff@psychoanalysis.org.uk