Suburban Gothic
Suburban Gothic is a sub-genre of Gothic Literature, visual art, as well as film.
Like its predecessor, suburban Gothic writing is dark and disturbing, often employing psychological and supernatural devices to drive the plot along. It uses these devices not so much to entertain, but to explore social issues and to challenge the suburban dream.
Suburban Gothic strives to break down the facade of normality that pervades suburbia. The knights and heroes of traditional Gothic literature have been replaced in most cases by a heroic underdog figure. The grotesqueness of its characters lay not in the dis-figuration of the body but of the mind, delving into the dark and twisted psyche of its characters.
In most cases in Suburban Gothic literature good does not prevail. Wrongs are often left unrighted and are, in fact, often can not be righted. They are, in fact, often compounded when confronted.
This genre of writing is exemplified in the works of Edward Bloor and Robert Cormier, and in some of the works of Stephen King.
Visual artists who explore suburban gothic themes include Australian Tanja Stark.
Suburban Gothic shows its face considerably in contemporary cinema. The genre is comprised of mixing elements such as thriller, drama, dark comedy, and even fantasy, all in contrast to the idyllic setting of fences, lawns, and boxes. This style has seen an impressive build-up under the wings of such auteurs as David Lynch, Larry Clark, Todd Solondz, and Todd Field. Archetypal portaits of the grotesque suburbs can be seen in the films: Blue Velvet, Edward Scissorhands, American Beauty,and Donnie Darko.
Films
- Bad Ronald (1974)
- The Stepford Wives (1975)
- Halloween (1978)
- Poltergeist (1982)
- Christine (1983)
- Fright Night (1985)
- Blue Velvet (1986)
- The 'Burbs (1989)
- Parents (1989)
- Edward Scissorhands (1990)
- The People Under the Stairs (1991)
- Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)
- Spanking the Monkey (1994)
- Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)
- Scream (1996)
- Lawn Dogs (1997)
- Gummo (1997)
- Happiness (1998)
- Apt Pupil (1998)
- Idle Hands (1999)
- Election (1999)
- American Beauty (1999)
- Julien Donkey-Boy (1999)
- Storytelling (2001)
- Donnie Darko (2001)
- In the Bedroom (2001)
- Bully (2001)
- Ken Park (2002)
- One Hour Photo (2002)
- Spun (2003)
- The Stepford Wives (2004, remake)
- Mean Creek (2004)
- Palindromes (2004)
- Crutch (2004)
- Wassup Rockers (2006)
- Little Children (2006)
- Snow Angels (2007)
- Disturbia (2007)
- Teeth (2007)
- An American Crime (2007)
- The Girl Next Door (2007)
- Beautiful (2008)
- Let the Right One In (2008)