History, Horror, and Peak TV: Experimental History Series

Despite being a disreputable genre, horror remains a staple in cinemas and has become increasingly prominent on TV, a medium that has, until recently, been considered inferior to film. Now, a maligned genre and a previously discredited medium are producing some of the most original and engaging histories currently seen on screen. Lovecraft Country (HBO, 2020), Them (Amazon Prime, 2021-), and The Terror (AMC, 2018-2019) are experimental histories of the Peak TV period that effectively weave together historical truths with fantasy. The way the audience physically reacts to the bounded horrors in these shows shapes their response to the unbounded historical horrors with which they appear alongside. While history and horror might be considered unusual bedfellows, adding horror to a period setting does not automatically void an onscreen historical representation; instead, the resulting unorthodox history can complicate the audience's understanding of the past and their reaction to it. Anthology and limited series formats are particularly suited to this form of history making, as they maintain an atmosphere of dread while allowing ample time for character development and the construction of narratively complex historical storylines.

Automated summary

Although horror has a bad reputation, it remains popular in cinemas and has gained prominence on television. Lovecraft Country, Them, and The Terror are experimental historical shows that effectively blend historical truths with fantasy. The physical reaction of the audience to the horror in these shows influences their response to the historical horrors. Adding horror to a period setting does not invalidate the historical representation, instead it complicates the audience's understanding. Anthology and limited series formats are well-suited for creating this type of complex historical narrative.