Day 14 of the 31 Days of Nerd Horror
Day 14 of our 31 Days of Nerd Horror brings us to The Strange, a novel by Nathan Ballingrund, James Wan’s breakout 2004 horror film, Saw, and the survival horror video game Sons of the Forest. We also dive into the unsettling legend of The Candy Lady.
THE STRANGE BY NATHAN BALLINGRUD (2023)
The Strange by Nathan Ballingrud (2023) is a haunting and atmospheric blend of science fiction and horror set on a Mars that is as dangerous as it is mysterious. In this darkly imagined future, where human colonization of the Red Planet has spiraled into chaos, 14-year-old Anabelle Crisp embarks on a perilous quest to find her mother after their Martian home is attacked. B
allingrud masterfully weaves together the eerie alien landscape with the gritty realities of human survival, creating a tension-filled narrative that explores themes of identity, loss, and the nature of violence. His prose is sharp and evocative, plunging readers into a strange world that feels both familiar and utterly alien. The Strange is an unforgettable journey through a Martian wasteland that is as much about the human psyche as it is about survival in a hostile, distant world.
SAW (2004)
Saw (2004), directed by James Wan, is a chilling and innovative psychological horror film that helped redefine the genre. The movie revolves around two strangers, Dr. Lawrence Gordon and Adam, who wake up chained in a grimy bathroom with no memory of how they got there. They soon discover they are pawns in a sadistic game orchestrated by the Jigsaw Killer, a twisted mastermind who forces his victims to confront their own morality through cruel and violent tests.
With its tight, claustrophobic setting, shocking twists, and escalating tension, Saw delivers a relentless sense of dread. Its gritty aesthetic and brutal traps challenge the audience's limits, while the film's focus on psychological torment sets it apart from traditional slasher fare. More than just a gorefest, Saw is a cleverly constructed puzzle that explores human desperation, survival instincts, and the cost of redemption, solidifying its place as a modern horror classic.
SONS OF THE FOREST
Sons of the Forest is an intense survival horror game and the highly anticipated sequel to The Forest, developed by Endnight Games. Set on a remote and eerie island, players are tasked with surviving in an unforgiving wilderness filled with cannibalistic mutants and hostile creatures. The game expands on its predecessor’s mechanics with improved crafting, building, and combat systems, allowing for deeper exploration and resource management.
What sets Sons of the Forest apart is its open-ended narrative, which gives players freedom to uncover the island's dark mysteries at their own pace. The game's dynamic seasons, realistic weather effects, and AI-driven enemies create an immersive and unpredictable survival experience. With its haunting atmosphere, visceral combat, and strategic survival elements, Sons of the Forest offers a gripping and terrifying adventure for fans of survival horror games, pushing the boundaries of the genre with its intricate design and relentless tension.
THE CANDY LADY (TEXAS)
In early 1900s Texas, there was a legend of a woman known as the "Candy Lady." According to the story, she would leave candy on the windowsills of children’s homes, luring them outside at night. Once the children followed the trail, they would disappear, never to be seen again, allegedly eaten by her and her family. It is said that the Candy Lady was responsible for the disappearances of several children in rural Texas towns, and some versions of the story claim she would pull out their teeth and leave them in small bags of candy.
Illustration by Rachel Liebowitz
