Day 2: 31 Days of Nerd horror
For Day 2 of our 31 Days of Nerd Horror series, we’re excited to highlight Tananarive Due’s latest Bram Stoker Award winning horror novel, The Reformatory, the 2021 movie The Black Phone starring Ethan Hawke, the horror video game Alan Wake 2, and the Tennessee-based legend of the Bell Witch.
THE REFORMATORY BY TANANARIVE DUE (2023)
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due (2023) fits into the genre of Nerd Horror through its exploration of supernatural and historical themes, combined with a deep focus on character-driven narratives. Nerd Horror often blends elements of intellectual discovery, the supernatural, and the outsider experience, and The Reformatory embodies this by using its horror to delve into systemic racism and the trauma of the past.
THE BLACK PHONE (2021)
Blending supernatural horror with an intellectual battle of wits, The Black Phone is a movie that fits perfectly into the nerd horror genre. A sadistic killer known as The Grabber (played by Hawke) abducts a young boy named Finney, who uses his intellect and resourcefulness to escape. Finney solves puzzles, thinks critically, and communicates with the spirits of The Grabber’s previous victims through a disconnected phone. The supernatural elements, combined with Finney's use of his wits and bravery, highlight the central theme of nerd horror—the triumph of intellect and resilience over brute force and fear, making The Black Phone a compelling addition to the genre.
ALAN WAKE 2 (2023)
Remedy Entertainment’s horror video game, Alan Wake 2, exemplifies Nerd Horror through its intricate narrative structure, blending psychological horror, supernatural elements, and complex problem-solving. Alan Wake is a writer trapped in a nightmarish alternate reality. He attempts to escape by using his creativity and intellect to shape the story around him. The central theme of the game then revolves around using knowledge and writing to manipulate reality, a classic nerd horror trope where the protagonist's intellectual abilities are the key to survival. The game's reliance on clues, literary references, and puzzle-solving elements to progress through terrifying and surreal environments makes it a prime example of how intellect and creativity can serve as weapons against supernatural horrors.
THE BELL WITCH (ADAMS, TN)
The legend of the Bell Witch is a famous American folk tale originating from early 19th century
Adams, Tennessee. Inspiring both books and movies, the story centers around the Bell family, who were allegedly tormented by a malicious and invisible entity. The haunting began with strange noises, and escalated into physical attacks on family members. The spirit, which identified itself as "Kate," claimed to have a vendetta against John Bell and swore to cause his death, which seemingly came true when he died under mysterious circumstances in 1820.
