Rebecca McCallum
“In Heather, I recognised a fierceness, a commitment to her creative project and a drive in making it happen. On the other hand, due to events beyond her control (and as a self-confessed control freak, this was perhaps the scariest component of the film for me), she is also shown in moments of fear and vulnerability. ”
What is your favourite genre of horror?
Slashers have always been (and will always remain) very close to my heart. They were amongst the first horror films I watched so they are part of a formative experience for me. There is an appeal in the formula as I know I can watch with an understanding of the tropes and rules but it’s also rewarding when these are subverted too. I adore the 70s/80s aesthetic and that’s a huge part of my love for the sub-genre, ideally, I like to watch slashers on VHS for the ultimate experience!
What movies would you recommend in that genre?
Slashers are so well known and my love and enthusiasm is really for the classics so any recommendations will not come as a surprise! What I would advise though is that many of these films are worth repeated viewings, with the elapse of time I have found that they take on completely different meanings and, depending on where I am in my own life I respond to films such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween and Black Christmas in new and ever-evolving ways.
What are your favourite horror movies?
My all-time favourite horror film is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Again, this was one of the first horrors I watched and (unlike with many other films) I can recall the occasion very clearly. The film had previously been banned here in the UK and it premiered on Channel 4 late one night. I watched it with the lights off and it was a thrill ride I will never forget! In many ways, I feel as though I have been chasing that same sublime experience ever since. I recently had the opportunity to see it on the big screen with a crowd which was incredible. On more of a personal level, Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist is also an important film to me as I connect very deeply with the images, mood and representation of anxiety within the film. When it came on at my local cinema I was so absorbed by it that I went to every screening-its very rare that a film will have such a strong pull for me so when it happens I just surrender to it.
What was the last horror movie that actually scared you?
It’s hard for me to pick one as I often find a film in its entirety doesn’t scare me but brief and specific moments from many films stay with me, often for days or weeks after. A film that immediately comes to mind is The Poughkeepsie Tapes which terrified me and I can’t really explain why-but there were definite moments when my stomach was flipping over and it was almost unbearable to imagine what might come next.
What is your favourite moment from a horror movie?
My favourite moment in any horror film ever is Leatherface’s first appearance in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and the sound we hear when he closes the door. This is such a small moment and the noise is so brief but it gives me goosebumps and it’s such a pivotal scene. After all the build-up and exposition we now have the reveal of Leatherface and know that the first kill has taken place-my heart beats a little faster from this point forward and never regulates again for the whole film!
Why is horror special for you?
My relationship with horror is an evolving and organic one and that is what makes it so dear to me. Horror helps me to learn about myself, the world around me and to confront my real-life fears through the medium of sound and visuals. In particular, I’ve come to realise that I’m drawn to horror as it acts as a calming influence on my anxiety although I know many will find that bizarre. Horror keeps changing, it keeps me guessing and I love the endless and surprising possibilities that come with the genre. Through my passion for the genre, I have also been able to find like-minded people who are such a source of support and inspiration. As Assistant Editor at Ghouls Magazine, I have been part of creating a community built on a shared enthusiasm for horror and I am able to learn and grow through connecting with others on a daily basis.
What character in a horror do you relate to most and why?
As I’ve already mentioned, I love slashers and so of course, I love final girls and Nancy Thompson is my absolute favourite. I adore Nancy as she is a true representation of self-determination, fearlessness and independence. She is let down by so many people around her but she keeps on going and I love that about her. She also has one of the best lines in horror, as she looks in the mirror and declares: ‘God, I look twenty years old!’ The way I’ve responded to Nancy has changed over time too and as I grow older I realise that her journey in A Nightmare on Elm Street is all about realising that the most valuable resource you have above all others, is yourself.
How do your friends and family feel about your horror obsession?
My family and friends are incredibly proud of my achievements and I think they have really seen the growth of my journey from having think pieces published in outlets such as Rue Morgue and Grim Magazine and taking on the Assistant Editor role at Ghouls Magazine.
When did you fall head over heels in love with the horror genre?
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment but officially, I came to horror in my late teens. I’d seen The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Scream and from there a fantastic era began when I was collecting and watching all the classics-this was such a treasured time for me when I look back on it as I wasn’t watching these films critically, I was just absorbed and surrounding myself with so many different titles. Another milestone came when I started writing about horror which was around two and a half years ago-being immersed in thinking about the films on a deeper level really fuelled my passion.
Do you have any Halloween traditions?
Each Halloween I decorate our apartment with as many pumpkins, skeletons and spooky things that I can find! My boyfriend and I always cook chilli and drink red wine, usually followed by lots of junk food. We take it in turns each year to pick a horror film to watch and we will light jack-o-lanterns and sometimes make toffee apples. Halloween for me is such a sensory experience and I love it when it feels especially Autumnal.
If you could go back in time and experience the midnight premiere of any horror movie, what would you choose?
I’m a huge Hitchcock aficionado so I would have to say, Psycho, particularly because of all the stories about the advertising and marketing campaign. Over sixty years later it’s still an absolute masterpiece and I would love to watch it for the first time all over again and share that experience that with an audience.
What's the spookiest place you've ever visited?
I once went to an abandoned orphanage on the edge of a park near my family home. It was a huge space with old equipment and beds still inside and my imagination went wild being in there!