Feature An exhibition at the Academy Museum explores the transgressive power of scary movies, channeling our deepest fears about life, death, and the unknown.

October 29, 2026 — 4 min read

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, "Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre" (1844) on view in The Horror Show at the Academy Museum (all photos Matt Stromberg/ Hyperallergic unless noted)

LOS ANGELES — Horror films may have historically been relegated to second-class status in the cinematic canon, viewed by some critics as vulgar fright fests that lack the gravitas of “serious” filmmaking. But there is no denying the captivating power they have exerted over audiences, channeling our deepest fears about life, death, the world around us, and the unknown onto the silver screen.…