{"product_id":"hollywoods-monstrous-moms-vilifying-mental-illness-in-horror-films-9781476688930","title":"Hollywood's Monstrous Moms: Vilifying Mental Illness in Horror Films","description":"\u003cp\u003e From \u003ci\u003eCarrie\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eRosemary's Baby\u003c\/i\u003e to \u003ci\u003eUs, Hereditary\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eRun\u003c\/i\u003e, the image of the mentally ill mom as villain looms large in the horror genre. What do these movies communicate about mothers living with mental illness, and how do these depictions affect them? Portraying mentally ill moms as problems to be overcome, often by their own children, perpetuates harmful stereotypes with potential real-world consequences, such as the belief that these women are unfit to bear or raise children. More compassionate representations are needed to lessen the social stigma associated with the mentally ill. Fortunately, some of the contemporary horror films are attempting to achieve that task with critical success.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Using case studies from a broad range of films--including the classic, campy, slasher, or prestige--and placing them within their historical context, this work extends conversations about horror and mental illness, such as post-partum depression, bulimia, Munchausen by proxy syndrome, and others. Highlighting the trope of the mentally ill mother as a pervasive image within the genre furthers examination of how these films challenge or reflect existing stereotypes and illustrates how horror can be both a site of oppression and a source for positive transformation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eKassia Krone\u003c\/b\u003e is an associate professor of composition at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. Her research interests include disability studies, film, Southern and gothic fiction, women and gender studies, and epistolary studies.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"McFarland \u0026 Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50406159778066,"sku":"9781476688930","price":60.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_76b763ba-f391-4bfb-a293-f4fcfae6e3fd.jpg?v=1729219061","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/hollywoods-monstrous-moms-vilifying-mental-illness-in-horror-films-9781476688930","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}