Film Disruptors Podcast

In this episode we welcome world leading film researcher Stephen Follows to the show for a deep dive into the data behind the horror genre. With insights fresh from Stephen's new exhaustive exploration of the space, The Horror Movie Report 2.0, we explore the significant increase in horror film production and the numbers behind its profitability. In a conversation that covers the importance of theatrical releases for horror films (and why they are so important for cinemas!) and the demographics of horror audiences, we also look at global trends in horror film production, including in Indonesia and Malaysia. Stephen shares how horror reflects cultural fears and societal narratives and why it's specific economic and stylistic characteristics make it such a vital genre for the industry. The conversation explores the multifaceted world of the genre, discussing cultural insights, marketing strategies, and the economics behind horror filmmaking including a focus on Blumhouse and the emergence of so-called 'elevated