[Review] It Came From The Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror edited by Joe Vallese
Published by the Feminist Press
4 out of 5 Stars
It Came From The Closet was the perfect read for Pride Month. Reading essays from so many different people in the queer community was one of the best experiences I had this year. One of the highlights of this book is that, contrary to many queer anthologies, it features more than just cis white writers. We all know how racism, transphobia, and bi-phobia run rampant in our community, which makes it all the more vital that we listen to the voices that are being silenced.
The essays are divided into five sessions according to the genre of the movie discussed by the author. They are: An Excellent Day For An Exorcism (The Exorcist, Jennifer’s Body, Hereditary, Pet Semetary, The Ring, Grace), Monster Mash (The Blob, Society, Godzilla, Good Manners, Jaws, The Wolf Man), Fatal Attractions (Dead Ringers, The Birds, The Leech Woman, Candyman, Friday the 13th Part II), Whatever You Do, Don’t Fall Asleep (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Us, The Blair Witch Project, Is That You?, Get Out), and Final Cuts (Halloween, Eyes Without a Face, Child’s Play, In My Skin, Sleepaway Camp.)
The common thread that brings this anthology together is the writer’s love of horror and the question of why such a large part of the queer community is pulled towards the genre. Why do we enjoy so much books in movies that either completely excludes us or portray us as monsters? Each author in It Came From The Closet has a different answer based on their backgrounds and experiences, articulated beautifully through analysis of horror movies that are close to their hearts. After reading all of those essays and, especially, after noticing how so many of them mentioned how they prayed to God to make them straight, I've come to a conclusion of my own.
The thought of so many children that were, and are, so terrified of how their families and friends will treat them if they find out that they are queer, breaks my heart. Hell, even as adults many LGBTQIA+ people stay in the closet to their family members in fear of their reaction (yours truly included). Seeing as fear is, sadly, an integral part of the queer experience, is it really so surprising that many of us are drawn to horror?
The only criticism I have is that if you’re not familiar with the movie being discussed, many of the essays become hard to follow and a bit confusing. This is exacerbated when the writers constantly alternate between discussing the film and sharing their personal experiences. I’m aware that almost all of the movies featured are quite popular, but it would’ve been perfect had there been a synopsis of the film before each essay.
Finally, I’d like to share my favorite pieces in this anthology. In no way am I saying that the others are bad or “inferior,” these were simply the ones that touched me the most due to my own background.
The Wolf Man’s Daughter (The Wolf Man) by Tosha R. Taylor - As someone who was also “advised” by their mother to not come out to certain family members because it would “break their hearts,” I deeply related to this essay. The desire to be seen not as a monster by their parents, but as a child that they love, is one that I share. Although this is a painful situation that no one should ever be in, it’s comforting to know that I’m not in it alone.
On Beauty and Necrosis (Eyes Without A Face) by Sachiko Ragosta - As someone who only started to figure out she wasn’t straight as a college student, this quote lifted a weight off of me: “I confused an internalized overvaluation of boy’s validation as a reflection of my sexuality, as me liking boys back.” I can’t express the relief and happiness of seeing my exact experience translated into words. That was something that I struggled with for so long and to discover that I wasn’t alone in that struggle gave me a kind of peace I didn’t know I craved.
