Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film (2009)

Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue explores the evolution of American horror cinema from the gothic monster films of the early 1900's, to the extremes of modern horror. The film features clips from many of the most influential and well known horror movies, as well as a few lesser known gems, plus interviews with some of the genres greatest directors.

What makes this documentary so valuable is not only its production values and its great interviews, but also that it doesn't just examine where the genre started and where it is today. It also tackles the more important question; why. Nightmares looks at the conditions in a given era that gave rise to the horror films of the day. The American Dream is counter-posed with the reality of the all-too-often American nightmare; war, violence, consumerism, excess, poverty, etc. We are then made to examine how that nightmare has been reflected consciously or subconsciously on film, forcing us to face its unpleasant realities.

In this sense, Nightmares is one of the most in depth, analytical, and fascinating documentaries on horror cinema I have yet seen. It leaves the viewer with plenty to think about, and a curiosity about where we are going next.

5 American nightmares out of 5
Unrated: contains violence/gore, frightening scenes, sexuality, nudity, language.