Unpacking the Cyclical Horrors of The Amityville Horror

In this episode of 'Horror Joy,' hosts Jeff and Brian Onishi delve into the 1979 classic film 'The Amityville Horror.' The discussion explores the recurring themes of cycles in our lives and how they manifest in horror, touching on historical and contemporary issues.

They analyze the unsettling story of George and Kathy Lutz, who move into a seemingly perfect house only to face demonic possession and the horrors of past violence.

The conversation critiques toxic masculinity, the failures of institutions like the Roman Catholic Church, and the broader implications of isolation and community in suburban life.

The episode also brings in related historical and cultural contexts, including the Satanic panic and the significance of VHS technology in disseminating horror. Despite the film's clumsiness, the hosts find joy in practical effects, character performances, and the deeper reflections horror offers on society's enduring challenges.

Horror movies at home: supernatural horror, delivery systems and 1980s satanic Panic by Drew Beard

Echoes of Evil: Haunted Houses and Lingering Terrors in The Amityville Horror and The Conjuring by Julia Seltnerajch

The Red Scare: Marxism, Menstruation, and Stuart Rosenberg's The Amityville Horror by Larrie Dudenhoeffer