FEAR FRANCHISES

Breaking apart the pieces of the many horror universes
ARTICLE | FEAR FRANCHISES

After 28 Days Later.

BY FRANK FALISI  |  February 23, 2026

Trying to write about the 28 movies—that most blitzed-out and body-baggy horror franchise measured in days, weeks, years—I turned, like a good hauntologist, to half-remembered popular music.

ARTICLE | FEAR FRANCHISES
A deep dive into the world of James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s Insidious, one of the more complex, mystically minded horror franchises, which 13 years in closes on an unexpected high note.

Last night I watched myself sleep then I flew away, a young boy named Dalton writes in crayon shortly before his spirit leaves his physical body and becomes prey to a horde...

BY NICHOLAS RUSSELL  |  Updated July 11, 2023

ARTICLE | FEAR FRANCHISES
The ultimate evil-kid figure presides over the first two of hopefully many Orphan films.

A horde of diabolical children have preceded Esther of Orphan (2009), directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, but she has secured a place among horror cinema’s most memorable enfants terribles, even before its long-awaited prequel, Orphan: First Kill, arrived last year. 

BY KELLI WESTON  |  April 28, 2023

ARTICLE | FEAR FRANCHISES
After four canonical films and two offshoots, the indomitable series returns to glory with Prey.

Of the many recurring horror villains, Freddy Krueger is famously distinguished by his crispy face and razor claws, Jason Voorhees by his hockey mask and machete, and Leatherface by his human-flesh mask and chainsaw. They all have revenge or mental illness as their vague...

BY LAURA KERN  |  August 17, 2022