‘Eli Roth’s History of Horror’ Recap: ‘Zombies’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

What is truly fascinating about the entertainment industry as a whole, is how quickly it shifts with the tastes of the public. Because just like that, romance stories are out, and detective stories are in. Or country music can take a backseat to the hottest new pop artists and this is a cycle that certainly keeps things interesting, since you never quite know what’s going to be the next big thing. But of the many genres from the many platforms out there, one that continues to defy this particular shift; is horror. Because this particular genre, always finds a new way to captivate modern audiences and that’s largely due to the fact that it makes its own rules and evolves with the times to stay relevant. But while it is fascinating to know that horror genuinely adapts to the times, its dynamic ability to do so really wasn’t properly noticed until the modern era of storytelling and it is understandable as to why.

Simply because we've only recently started to take the time to properly examine the impact of pop culture on the modern world and how it reflects the times. Which means that there are people out there, that are eager to really explore horror and how exactly its managed to defy the norms and stay relevant at all times, so that we can properly understand the intelligence and majesty of this particular genre. And it just so happens, that AMC and horror director Eli Roth have been determined to bring this analysis to the masses by way of Eli Roth's History of Horror. A television show that is actually about to kick off its second season on October 10. But rather than wait to see what the season two premiere has in store for us, and only discuss that particular journey, we thought it would be fun to return to the beginning of this series to count down the days to its return and boy are we glad that we did.

Because the series premiere of this show started its phenomenal journey through the fascinating past of the horror genre by examining the evolution and history of one of the hottest monsters on the market right now, the zombie. For ‘Zombies’ are simply everywhere in popular culture and this opening chapter really did do a phenomenal job of examining every single facet of how this creature came to be something we celebrate on a near weekly basis. For it took the time to examine its humble beginnings by way of Mary Shelley’s iconic work, and how the zombie evolved into a creature of servitude. But the best part of this shamble down memory lane, is how it took the time to recognize that the zombie didn’t become the creature that is today, until George Romero felt the need to step behind the camera to film a little independent picture entitled, Night of the Living Dead.

For that particular movie not only gave life to the modern zombie, it also forged a path for filmmakers everywhere to use the living dead as an allegory for who we are as a society and what we fear, something that Romero refined with the greatest zombie film ever made; Dawn of the Dead. For that movie truly encapsulated the zeitgeist of the era by examining the power of consumerism, and truly, those two films are what allowed for this particular creature to evolve with the times and stay relevant for the past century or so. Because they can truly be whatever we need them to be. For if we need them to help us process death, they certainly can, since that’s central to the plot of Re-Animator. Or if we need them to offer some laughs while examining humanity's ignorance during a crisis, then films like The Return of the Living Dead are there to provide that. Which makes this creature perhaps the most versatile monster of the genre when all is said and done.

But what truly makes this particular series so compelling and downright fascinating is the sheer fact that Eli is able to get input and observations and history lessons from the people that helped to shape these films. And it really is an incredible treat to hear Tom Savini speak upon what the zombie means to him, or Stephen King for that matter as well and that particular format just sucks you in, since these folks truly are the experts and their insight here is supremely unique and compelling and it definitely motivates the viewer to continue along in this journey. For it means that no stone is going to be left unturned in this documentary and the viewer is truly going to get an enriching lesson on the most versatile genre out there and this reviewer cannot wait to see where this series takes us next. Because what it accomplishes in its first hour is powerful and magnificent and chances are, it’s only going to get better from here on out. Until next time.      ​

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