Ep 3. Slashers, Part 2

In the third episode of AMC Visionaries: Eli Roth's History of Horrors season 1, titled "Slashers, Part 2," the host continues his exploration of the slasher movie genre that dominated horror cinema in the 1980s.

Eli Roth delves deeper into the world of slasher films and examines how these movies took a darker and more visceral turn during this period. Roth speaks to some of the most influential figures in the horror industry, including Wes Craven, John Carpenter, and Jamie Lee Curtis, to uncover how these filmmakers pushed the boundaries of horror and challenged societal norms in their depiction of violence.

The episode explores how slasher movies became increasingly graphic in the 1980s, with an emphasis on gore and brutal violence. Roth examines key examples of how the genre evolved during this period, including the Friday the 13th series, which became notorious for its graphic death scenes, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which set a new benchmark for violence and terror in the genre. Roth also examines how the slasher genre was impacted by the rise of home video, which allowed filmmakers to reach a wider audience and pushed the limits of what could be shown onscreen.

As well as examining the horror movies themselves, the episode also explores how they reflected and responded to the cultural climate of the time. Roth examines how the increasing fear of serial killers in the 1980s was reflected in slasher movies, with films like Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer and Maniac delving into the psyche of murderers. He also explores how the genre tackled issues of gender and sexuality, with many slasher movies featuring strong female protagonists who fought back against their attackers.

The episode also examines how slasher movies were influenced by other horror sub-genres, such as the gothic horror of the 1960s and 1970s and the Italian giallo films of the 1970s. Roth speaks to filmmakers and critics about the impact that these influences had on the genre, and how slasher movies in turn influenced other horror genres that followed.

Overall, "Slashers, Part 2" offers a fascinating exploration of the slasher movie genre and its evolution in the 1980s. Through interviews with some of the most respected figures in the horror industry, the episode provides a deep insight into the societal, cultural, and artistic forces that shaped this gruesome and enduring horror sub-genre.