The Aesthetics of Horror Films / Progress in Mathematics (PDF)

"Sopuck's book provides a much-needed expansion of our understanding of the artistic value and cultural role of horror films. Engaging with scholars in the fields of psychology, philosophy, and horror theory, he carefully extends the aesthetic views of George Santayana into a highly original framework that he dubs the 'sport model' of horror aesthetics. But more than this, he then uses this framework to further examine the potentially dangerous necropolitical implications of horror in the contemporary landscape. Eminently readable, with outstanding degrees of theoretical elaboration and numerous cinematic examples, the book deftly balances the worlds of scholarship and popular entertainment, providing a work that is not only thoroughly enjoyable and personally relatable, but is also sure to leave a lasting impact in the world of horror theory."

--Vernon W. Cisney, Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies, Gettysburg College

Forrest Adam Sopuck was awarded his Ph.D. in philosophy at McMaster University in 2015. He is a specialist in early modern philosophy by formation. His current work explores how Santayana's philosophical views contribute to contemporary metaphysical debates surrounding non-mereological composition, fundamentality, and colour.