Space horror

Space horror is a subgenre of horror fiction generically defined as space-based horror.^[1]

While pure outer space horror films may solely include films taking place in spacecrafts, space stations or outer space, the broader blend of settings covered by the subgenre of space horror include locations on exoplanets and exomoons, within the Solar System but not on Earth, and terrestrial films set on Earth (alien invasion films).^[2] Films belonging to the subgenre of space horror typically feature an alien antagonist.^[2]

Variety's Jenelle Riley cited the following titles as standout space horror films: Life (2017), Dead Space: Downfall (2008), Solaris (1972), Lifeforce (1985), It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958), Sunshine, Pitch Black (2000), Event Horizon (1997), Alien (1979), and Aliens (1986).^[3]

An innovative feature that can be found in some films blending a space setting and horror is an altered topology of time.^[4]

References

^ "Larsen, Kristine (2024) ""Hell is only a word. The reality is much, much worse": Black Holes as Fantasy Gateways to Hell". Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature. 42 (2).
^ ^a ^b Brittany, Michele, ed. (2017). "Introduction". Horror in Space: Critical Essays on a Film Subgenre. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-4766-6405-7.
^ Riley, Jenelle (14 August 2020). "10 Best Space Horror Movies". Variety.
^ Schlag, Juliane (2017). "Out of Space-Out of Time. Looking at the Factors of Time in Space Horror Movies". In Brittany, Michele (ed.). Horror in Space: Critical Essays on a Film Subgenre. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-4766-6405-7.

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[1] "Larsen, Kristine (2024) ""Hell is only a word. The reality is much, much worse": Black Holes as Fantasy Gateways to Hell". Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature. 42 (2).

[introduction-2] Brittany, Michele, ed. (2017). "Introduction". Horror in Space: Critical Essays on a Film Subgenre. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-4766-6405-7.

[3] Riley, Jenelle (14 August 2020). "10 Best Space Horror Movies". Variety.

[4] Schlag, Juliane (2017). "Out of Space-Out of Time. Looking at the Factors of Time in Space Horror Movies". In Brittany, Michele (ed.). Horror in Space: Critical Essays on a Film Subgenre. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-4766-6405-7.

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