“This book is about a movie." When you see that on the back cover or in the book description on Amazon, you might hesitate to read any further. It could very well be an extensive "behind the scenes" account, discussing the inspiration behind a lackluster plot or detailing the challenges faced in finding the perfect location for the film's final shot. But, what if the book is fictional and centers on the movie industry instead? Imagine a story that features fictional movie stars or icons with an unusual talent for keeping secrets... now that’s entertainment. That’s a novel about a horror movie.
The first book I read in the subgenre that truly captivated me was Night Film by Marisha Pessl. I was initially intrigued by the cover, which features big, bold letters repeating the title, alongside an image of a woman in red with her eyes covered, set against a dark background. It gained further traction when I sneaked a peek inside and discovered newspaper and magazine clippings, movie “stills", and excerpts from a script. Visuals to accompany the written content? Count me in.
In the novel, we follow disgraced journalist Scott McGrath, who suspects that the seemingly straightforward suicide of a young woman might not be what it seems. The young woman in question is the daughter of a reclusive cult-horror-film director, Stanislas Cordova. This isn't the first time Scott has investigated the Cordova family; his previous inquiries cost him both his job and his marriage. Driven by curiosity and a desire for revenge, McGrath delves into the mysterious family once again, but this time, much more is at stake. Pessl creates a captivating world filled with fictional movie lore, making it feel almost real by the end of the book.
Another book that shares a similar theme is House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, an experimental horror story that unfolds as a story within a story. After the main character chooses to finish and submit a work by a deceased author, the rest of the book focuses on a documentary film called The Navidson Record. This unsettling piece recounts the story of a journalist and his family’s descent into chaos within what was once a normal house, but now doors, stairways, and long hallways to nowhere begin to appear. It’s disturbing, to say the least.
These two are just early examples of fictional works centering around ominous movie productions and cursed films. The subgenre is experiencing a renaissance lately, with multiple titles scheduled for release this year. Here are a few upcoming titles that sound incredibly intriguing.
It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest
Ronnie Mitchell, a grieving woman with a background in renovating abandoned houses, buys a home haunted by the malevolent spirit of its previous owner, silent film star Venita Rost. However, Ronnie is blissfully unaware of the house's history and plans to use her skills to restore the home to its former glory. However, soon a man arrives at Ronnie’s new home, bringing blood-soaked stories and a secret link to the house. Then, Venita awakens. Ronnie finds herself unwillingly caught between a murderous ghost and a very real danger as she realizes that in Venita Rost’s house, survival is just out of reach. Release date: July 22.
Black Flame by Gretchen Felker-Martin
Do you want it? More than anything? The Baroness, a horrifying exploitation film believed to have been destroyed by Nazi fire, has been rediscovered over fifty years later. As Ellen Kramer, a lonely, closeted archivist, begins restoring the movie, something dark within her starts to unravel. As terrifying visions and voices begin to consume her mind, she convinces herself that what’s happening in the film is happening to her. Release date: August 5.
The October Film Haunt: A Novel by Michael Wehunt
A decade ago, Jorie Stroud was part of the popular online blog October Film Haunt, which followed a group of horror enthusiasts as they camped out at filming locations of their favorite movies. After a terrifying night in the graveyard from the infamous cult film Proof of Demons, the project and its members fell apart in several ways. Now, Jorie lives a quiet life in Vermont with her son, having put her love for horror in the past to focus on the present. That is, until a videotape arrives. The "Rickies," devoted fans of the reclusive director of Proof of Demons, Hélène Enriquez, have other plans for Jorie. As things take a shocking and disturbing turn, Jorie realizes she must find the answers before everything she has built for herself and her son is at risk. Release date: September 30.
Widow's Point: The Complete Haunting by Richard and W.H. Chizmar
Widow's Point Lighthouse, located in the quiet seaside town of Harper's Grove, is said to be haunted—perhaps even cursed. Longtime residents claim it has a dark history. This began with a tragic accident in the 1830s, which resulted in the untimely deaths of construction workers. Over the decades, the lighthouse has claimed the lives of two dozen victims. It was shut down in 1988 due to the increasing number of deaths, and no one has ventured inside since... until now. And they are not alone. Presented in a found footage format, this chilling ghost story is co-authored by Richard Chizmar, a prolific name in horror (known for works like Memorials, Chasing the Boogeyman), and his son. Prepare to be haunted until the very last page. Release date: September 30.