Monsters are the beating heart of horror films—embodying the supernatural, the uncanny, and the unknown. What we fear, and how those fears take shape on screen, has transformed over time. In this multimedia talk, Professor JR Pepper will trace the evolution of monsters in horror cinema, revealing how each era’s creatures mirror our deepest cultural anxieties, shifting sympathies, and changing ideas of who—or what—we consider “other.”

From classic movie monsters to contemporary nightmares, we’ll explore how these figures speak to real-world fears about technology, politics, identity, and mortality. Featuring video and audio elements, this lecture brings the history of horror vividly to life.