Welcome to another Macabre Monday, where I share some kind of consumable entertainment with you in the horror genre. Like Sci-Friday, Macabre Monday has taken on a life of its own, with lots of writers making similar recommendations.
Jeff Kinnard approached me with this concept a few weeks back, and we’ve seen it take off since then. If you’re interested in any more recommendations from smart folks who love the horror genre, Jeff’s Note does a nice job of linking to them.
Today, I want to take the opportunity to share a few TV shows that showcase how good the genre has gotten on the small screen ever since I was a kid. Hopefully, in the process, you get an idea of a show or two to check out.
Without further doo-doo, let’s do this.
Tales from the 80s
While there were some forays into horror TV during the 1980s, Tales from the Crypt stands out in my memory as higher quality than most of the field, although Tales from the Dark Side and other anthology horror shows were pretty much the same concept.
But Tales from the Crypt had two things the other shows lacked: Robert Zemeckis (of Back to the Future fame), and that HBO money.
I remember watching episodes with my friend Tim, who had HBO. We would do our best to imitate the Cryptkeeper’s iconic laugh, and used it liberally whenever we made jokes that demanded it as a punchline.
The anthology format allowed for some big-name guest appearances like Tim Curry, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tom Hanks, adding extra gravitas to the show. It was also funny, in a very corny sort of way. For Tim and me, this only added to the appeal.
Skipping Ahead
So, Tales from the Crypt transitioned from the late 80s (first aired in 1989), and set the stage for what was possible during the 90s. By the early 2000s, we were starting to see some very well produced horror shows, building from the success of The Sopranos and Mad Men. Two notable horror shows during this era were Dexter and True Blood.
I’m skipping all the way to the 2010s, though, just so I can point out how good horror TV is getting.
The modern version of Tales from the Crypt is undeniably American Horror Story.
Unlike Tales from the Crypt, which brought a different story to every episode, AHS generally takes the full season to tell one story. Season one is the best in the series (in my humble opinion), but there are some really good moments in the other seasons.
One of my favorite aspects is being introduced to some amazing cast members like Evan Peters, Finn Whitrock, and Sara Paulson. The ensemble cast of Hollywood veterans includes Jessica Lange (multiple seasons), Dylan McDermott, Kathy Bates, Lady Gaga, and on and on.
Each season kind of has its own vibe, so I’d start at the beginning. Season one is the classic haunted house story, but with plenty of twists.
Anthology stories are just one approach to modern horror TV, but there have been plenty of other successful angles.
Bates Motel revisits one of the all-time great films, Psycho, and takes place in that world. We get to meet a younger Norman Bates, along with his mother, Norma.
Vera Farmiga is Tessa Farmiga’s sister (Tessa appears in season one of American Horror Story). Here, Vera does a phenomenal job with Norma’s character, showing a wide range of acting skill. Freddie Highmore positively kills it as young Norman (pun intended?).
Servant
M. Night Shyamalan, known for his twisty-turny narratives in movies, brings his signature style to the small screen with Servant. This is definitely a “slow burn”, which tends to add to the tension. Somehow, each 30 minute episode feels a lot longer.
A Philadelphia couple uses a life-like doll as a therapeutic tool after the loss of their baby. But things take a mysterious turn when they hire a nanny for the doll, and she treats it as if it were alive.
That’s about all I want to say for now, but check out this creepy trailer:
For those who appreciate a more cerebral horror experience, where the terror is more about what's implied than what's shown, Servant is a must-watch. If you know me, you know I prefer creepy over slasher any day of the week.
Hannibal
If you’re going to draw on original source material to pay homage to the original, yet push a new story forward, you couldn’t do much better than Silence of the Lambs.
Hannibal delves into the earlier years, before the events of Silence of the Lambs, capturing the intricate cat-and-mouse game between the sophisticated cannibalistic psychiatrist and the FBI. It's a prequel series, focusing on the chilling dynamics and mind games long before Clarice Starling enters the picture.
Not only was the storyline incredibly tense, but the cast steals the show, between Sir Anthony Hopkins’s Oscar-winning performance and Jodie Foster’s flawless Agent Starling, Silence has all the makings of one of the all-time horror greats.
Hannibal picks up the story from the same universe, but focuses on the dark and twisted relationship that forms between FBI profiler Will Graham and Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Now, you’re thinking: nobody else can do Hannibal. Come on!
I’m going to be honest: Mads Mikkelsen is your huckleberry. He makes this version his own: hyperintelligent, confident, urbane.
But it’s his interactions with Hugh Dancy, playing Will Graham, that seal the deal for me. The tension between the two characters is palpable in every scene they share, and their mutual respect adds a disturbing element: is the serial killer now best friends with the person who is supposed to catch serial killers?
Lawrence Fishburne and Gillian Anderson give some particularly notable supportive performances, and the visuals are just beautiful.
That’s All, Freaks
Hopefully it’s clear that horror television is here in a big way. Unlike when I grew up, TV shows are every bit as good as movies: production quality is very high, and the best actors in the world will often choose television deals.
From the dark humor of the 80s anthologies to the deep psychological horror of shows like Hannibal and Servant, TV has evolved to become a canvas for some of the most compelling horror tales ever written.
With the advancements in technology and the rise of streaming platforms providing creators with even more freedom, the golden age of horror TV is upon us.
What are some of your own favorite horror TV shows? I’m listening!
Yes the Cryptkeeper’s laugh is precious
Tales from the Crypt imprinted itself in my childhood visual library. So many great moments. The movies weren’t back other (for the time). Ever watch the cartoon?