Ep 7. Ghost Stories

In episode 7 of AMC Visionaries: Eli Roth's History of Horrors season 1, titled Ghost Stories, the focus is on the cultural significance of ghosts and how they have been represented in horror films throughout history.

The episode is structured around a series of interviews with filmmakers, historians, and cultural critics, all discussing their perspectives on the subject of ghosts and horror. Eli Roth himself appears throughout the episode, providing commentary and framing the conversation.

The episode begins with a discussion of the role that ghosts have played in folklore and mythology throughout human history. The guests examine various cultural traditions from different parts of the world, touching on everything from the Egyptian concept of the afterlife to the Mexican Day of the Dead.

From there, the conversation turns to the representation of ghosts in cinema. The guests discuss various classic films that feature ghosts, such as The Uninvited and The Innocents, as well as more recent horror movies like The Conjuring and The Babadook. They analyze how different filmmakers have approached the portrayal of ghosts over the years, and explore the ways in which cultural attitudes towards ghosts have changed.

One of the key points of the episode is the idea that ghosts are often used in horror movies as a metaphor for trauma. The guests discuss the way that ghosts can represent the past coming back to haunt the present, and how films like The Shining and The Babadook use the idea of ghosts to explore themes of grief and loss.

Another interesting theme that emerges is the idea of the "uncanny valley" in ghost representation. The guests discuss how, in order for a ghostly figure to be truly frightening, it needs to be realistic enough to be believable, but not so realistic that it loses its supernatural quality. The conversation touches on the use of practical effects versus CGI in horror films, and how different filmmakers have made use of different techniques to create effective ghostly imagery.

Overall, Ghost Stories is a fascinating exploration of the cultural significance of ghosts in horror, and how this theme has evolved over time. The episode does an excellent job of bringing together a diverse group of experts to provide a range of perspectives on the subject, and Eli Roth's enthusiastic hosting helps keep the conversation engaging and entertaining throughout. Whether you're a horror buff or just someone with an interest in the history of cultural representation, this episode is definitely worth a watch.