31 Days of Nerd Horror: Day 1

Welcome to Day 1 of our 31 Days of Nerd Horror series. Each day this October, we'll highlight a horror book, a horror movie, and a horror game. Plus, each day we’ll also highlight a piece of spooky and mysterious legend or lore. For Day 1 we have a book called The Troop by Nick Cutter. Our movie for today is Longlegs starring Nicholas Cage. The game we’re highlighting today is Fears to Fathom: Woodbury Getaway. And finally, Day 1’s Legend & Lore is The Black Eyed Children.

THE TROOP (2014)

Craig Davidson’s horror novel, The Troop, written under the pen name Nick Cutter, fits into the nerd horror genre through its exploration of scientific experimentation gone wrong. A group of boys are isolated on a remote island and confronted with a horrifying parasitic threat. The villain, a rogue scientist who unleashes this bio-engineered menace, exemplifies the "mad scientist" trope commonly found in Nerd Horror. The novel’s emphasis on the characters’ intellect and problem-solving amidst the gruesome, scientifically driven horror aligns it with the nerd horror genre, making the characters’ survival dependent on their wit and understanding of the terrifying infection that consumes them.

LONGLEGS (2024)

Longlegs (2024) fits well into the Nerd Horror genre due to its intricate mix of supernatural elements, psychological terror, and a deep exploration of evil. Directed by Osgood Perkins, the film’s narrative involves FBI Agent Lee Harker confronting unsolvable mysteries and decoding bizarre messages, showcases the hallmark of Nerd Horror: using intellect, investigation, and logic to unravel something terrifying and incomprehensible.

Illustration by Megan Chase

FEARS TO FATHOM: WOODBURY GETAWAY (2024)

The Fears to Fathom series, including the late new installment Woodbury Getaway, is a strong example of nerd horror in video games, combining psychological terror with a focus on investigative problem-solving and survival tactics. Each episode places the player in the role of an everyday individual who must use intellect and resourcefulness to survive escalating horrors, often drawn from the character's fears and mental state. The episodic nature of the series allows for deep narrative immersion, where players must piece together clues and navigate chilling environments while relying on their wits to avoid danger.

BLACK EYED CHILDREN (NEW YORK)

Upstate New York is a land of lore and legend. One example is sporadic by increasing reports of encounters with mysterious children who are said to have completely black eyes like giant pupils. These creepy kids knock on doors or approach vehicles late at night, asking to be let inside. They don’t usually leave any survivors to tell the tales of their encounters, so little is known about these creatures. The few who have survived only speak vaguely about the children’s hypnotic eyes and cold, emotionless demeanor.

Illustration by Hal Hefner