Following a highly successful year for the horror genre, marked by box office hits like “Obsession” and “Backrooms,” industry professionals gathered at Fantastic Fest in Austin to discuss the future of filmmaking in the category.
The panel, moderated by a Variety editor, featured executives from Shudder, including SVP of acquisitions and production Emily Gotto, SVP of development and production Nick Lazo, and director of programming Angel Melanson. Also present were directors Jordan Downey and Toby Poser, who recently presented works at the festival.
Lazo emphasized that the horror genre allows filmmakers to take creative risks with lower financial stakes. He noted that effective scary material often relies on atmosphere and dialogue rather than expensive sets or large casts, enabling new voices to experiment and mitigate risk.
Melanson described horror as a flexible sandbox that permits the blending of fantasy, drama, and comedy. She highlighted the growing accessibility of production equipment and the audience’s demand for original concepts, which makes the genre more forgiving than high-budget period pieces.
When asked about emerging subgenres, Gotto argued that the next wave of horror will be driven by individual authorship and unique perspectives rather than predetermined trends. She stated that fresh ideas come from specific sociological or anthropological viewpoints, and she hopes executives do not dictate the future of the genre.
Poser explained that external feedback serves as a challenge for her team. For their film “The Glorious Dead,” they consciously moved away from their typical folk horror style to focus on escalating dread within a single-day timeline, proving that audience opinions can inspire creative evolution.
Downey shared his approach to handling instant feedback from platforms like Letterboxd and social media. He views such reactions similarly to script notes, advocating for open dialogue with audiences after screenings to filter constructive criticism while maintaining his own artistic style.
I love that Poser moved away from folk horror for this one. Proof that directors shouldn’t just repeat themselves for safety.
Gotto’s right about avoiding trend-chasing, but studios will still demand the next ‘Backrooms’ clone soon enough, won’t they?
Finally, someone admits horror lets new voices experiment without risking millions. The genre is a true creative sandbox.