Extreme Horror
Explore books, themes, and recommendations in Extreme Horror.
What is the Extreme Horror Subgenre?
Extreme horror, also known as hardcore horror or splatterpunk, is the goriest, most violent, most sexual, bloodiest scare you can find! Nothing here is left to the imagination. Every last gruesome detail is spilled onto the page in an effort to shock and disgust the reader. As a subgenre, extreme horror began in the 1980's, using the term splatterpunk. It was seen as a subversion of the more traditional forms of horror, where much of the terror took place in the minds of the reader. Extreme horror writers wanted there to be nothing safe or suggestive about their brand of terror. The term, splatterpunk, was coined by writer David Schow, considered to be the gather of the subgenre, in 1986. It has since fallen into disuse, for less descriptive terms, such as extreme or hardcore horror. These terms also encompass a larger aspect of the genre, such as the writers of extreme horror who were not part of the splatterpunk movement, and whose writing does not necessarily contain the same culturally subversive undertones.
The graphic nature of extreme horror is not without criticism, of course. Critics have derided the subgenre as "torture porn", and even Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, slammed the subgenre saying that it did not inspire terror so much as nausea. Themes of sex and violence are common in extreme horror, as well as themes of racism, homophobia, and torture. This is the subgenre that rips away the curtain of suggestion and imagination and forces the reader to stare into a world of nightmares, a world that may or may not be very similar to the world around us. If horror is said to expose the harsh truths of humanity, extreme horror does so in intricate and gruesome detail.
Extreme Horror Characteristics
Level of Characterization: The level of characterization in extreme horror varies. This subgenre can have archetypal characters or explore the deepest, darkest minds of serial killers.
Level of Plot: The level of plot is moderate in extreme horror, as there is not much mystery in the subgenre. This does not mean that there are not complex plots, only that everything is laid out on the page, with little left to the imagination.
Level of Supernatural: The level of supernatural in extreme horror varies, but is generally moderate to high. This subgenre is the stuff of nightmares, oftentimes, those nightmares are of the supernatural variety, though, not always.
Level of Scary: The level of scary in extreme horror is high, as the purpose of this subgenre is to elicit terror and disgust.
Level of Violence: The level of violence in extreme horror is very high. This is a subgenre where nothing is left to the imagination. All of the blood and guts and gore are spilled onto the page.
Typical Setting: There are no typical settings for extreme horror, although many seem to take place in urban settings, similar to noir horror.
Related Horror Subgenres
Due to its gritty nature, noir horror could be considered a related subgenre to extreme horror, though extreme horror is much more graphic in nature. Serial killer, crime, psychological, and satanic horror are also also related in that they employ similar themes to extreme horror. Another graphic subgenre that is closely related is visceral horror.
Don't Read Extreme Horror If You Dislike…
This genre is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. If graphic depictions of sex, violence, rape, or torture offend, this is not the genre for you.