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Can't Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film

Think you know what fear is? Think again. EMP presents an in-depth look at horror, and how it’s expressed through cinema, biology, history, and contemporary culture.

  1. Director Stanley Kubrick originally requested that Jack Nicholson chop down a fake door in one of The Shining's climactic scenes, but when Nicholson, who had previously worked as a fire marshall, tore it down too quickly a real door took its place. Cast as a possessed writer stuck in a haunted hotel, Nicholson hacks through the door to hiss an improvised line--now famous-- from Ed McMahon's introduction to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: "Heeeere's Johnny!" 

    Pictured: Axe from The Shining, 1980. From the Paul G. Allen Family Collection

    Photo by EMP staff.

  2. Pictured: Nazi werewolf mask from An American Werewolf in London, 1981. Courtesy of Bob Burns.

    Photo by EMP staff.

  3. Spell book used by Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 2000-2001

    Photo by EMP staff.

  4. The "Nighthawk" stake used by Buffy, Xander, and Faith in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 1998.

    Courtesy of Wesley Cannon.

    Photo by EMP staff.

  5. Hi-8 camcorder used onscree in The Blair Witch Project, 1999

    Courtesy of Haxan Films and Ben Rock.

    Photo by EMP staff.

Examine the pivotal role that horror plays in the human experience.

Three iconic horror directors—Roger Corman, John Landis, and Eli Roth—have curated a selection of their favorite films, providing a solid foundation on which audiences can safely explore the spectrum of cinematic horror, from its inception at the turn of the 20th century to the present day.

Visitors can view artifacts that include the script from Night of the Living Dead, the alien creature suit from Alien, and Jack Torrance's axe from The Shining; watch interviews with the directors; and scream bloody murder. Interactive highlights include a Scream Booth, Horror Soundscapes, Monster Timeline, and Philip Worthington's interactive shadow monster installation.

Beware! Due to the subject matter explored, this exhibition has a suggested rating of PG-13.

Did you scream in our Scream Booth? Find your photos.

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