Masters of Horror series

Masters of Horror is an anthology horror series that ran from 2005 - 2007. The premise behind each of the 26 episodes was to see what certain "masters" of the horror genre could create on a set budget without studio interference. [1] Despite this much lauded hands-off attitude, Showtime did prohibit full-frontal male nudity and child-on-child violence. [2]

Each director utilized their relative freedom in varying way. Some merely recreated the traditional horror conventions with more female nudity and gore, while others chose to directly tackle contentious issues such as abortion, homophobia, violence against women, war, domestic violence and human trafficking. The feminist content varies as widely as the story-telling in this anthology. Below is a summary of some of the more feminist of the episodes produced. SPOILERS ABOUND.

Incident on and Off a Mountain Road.

Written and directed Don Cascarelli (the 'Master' responsible for The BeastMaster), this story takes the damsel-in-distress horror trope and turns it on its head. Opening with something akin to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Ellen wrecks her car out in the middle of nowhere and is subsequently hunted by the expected disfigured and homicidal maniac.

Ellen's experiences with Moonface are intercut with flashbacks to training sessions with her ex-husband. She deftly utilizes these skills to repeatedly evade Moonface. Eventually it is revealed that Ellen's husband was abusive, and it is memories of the violence he inflicted on her that spur her to eliminate, rather than merely evade, her pursuer. At the close of the episode we learn that Ellen had her ex's body in the trunk of her car the entire time. She strings him up in the manner Moonface displayed his victims and heads back to civilization a free woman.

The depictions of domestic violence (verbal, emotional, and physical) and rape could be triggering to survivors. Though the bulk of story deftly compares the abusive spouse to the serial killer, the twist ending has the unfortunate effect of portraying the survivor as more diabolically dangerous than her tormentors.

Dance of the Dead.

Directed by Tobe Hooper (the 'Master' behind Poltergeist), this story tells a post-apocalyptic coming-of-age story. Years after a biological attack, 17-year-old Peggy works in the family diner with her bigoted mother. Peggy is portrayed as the virtuous "good" daughter, hence her mother's utter horror when a trio of nomadic rocker kids (complete with random dye jobs, tattoos, piercings and leather) roll through town and entice Peggy to a night out.

The trio turn out to be traffickers who deliver the freshly deceased to a pimp who injects them with a drug that reanimates the dead. The undead are kept in freezers during the day (to prevent decomposition) and brought out as sex workers at the pleasure of the mob. The undead are portrayed as incapable of speech, but at least partially aware of the tortures they are subjected too. Peggy's first foray into club life turns disastrous when she her missing elder sister (the 'bad' daughter that their mother never liked) is on stage as an undead dancer in the club.

Rather than save Anna herself, Peggy's innate goodness convinces her brand new slave-trading, grave-robbing boyfriend to betray his boss and snatch the dancer off the stage. At which point Mother shows up just in time to explain that she sold her 'trouble-making' daughter, while still alive, to the ringleader of this whole operation. Peggy then strikes an agreement with the clubowner, free her sister to true death and a proper burial, in exchange for the still-living mother. The episode closes on a tattooed and pierced Peggy in the club watching her undead mother 'dance' for the crowd.

Homecoming.

Directed by Joe Dante (the 'Master' behind The Howling and Gremlins), this story does a straight-up attack on war-mongering and religious manipulation of the Republican party when a popular Republican talking-head makes an offhand comment about wishing that those soldiers who died in Iraq could come back express their opinions on the matter. Soldiers promptly started rising from the dead and attempting to vote in the presidential election.

David and a caricature of Ann Coulter go on a media blitz to ensure the public knows the President made these soldiers come back from the dead! Until it is discovered zombies are all staunchly anti-war. Though not great on women in particular (the Ann Coulter character is repulsive on many levels) the episode does highlight the power divide between the haves and have-nots, and even manages to highlight the double standard professional women are held to.

Sick Girl.

Written and Directed by Lucky McGee (the 'Master' responsible for May), this story depicts the most painfully awkward romance ever depicted on film. Though Ida and Misty hit most lesbian tropes through the course of their relationship (both very 'femme', both convinced the other is straight, move in together after one date), their connection is largely well-written and believable.

Artist Misty has had a crush on Etymologist Ida for years, much to the disdain of her "bigwig bug professor" father. He retaliates against the unknowing Ida by sending her an exotic South American insect that has the ability to control and transform mammals per its reproductive needs. Rather than infecting Ida, the bug fixates on Misty, leading to gradual physiological and emotional changes. Misty's guilt-ridden father eventually sends Ida a letter explaining his master plot, which Misty explains was cooked up as an effort to de-gay-ify his daughter.

Unfortunately it is too late, as Misty has already killed the homophobic landlord (who attempted to illegally evict the couple in order to keep her building 'clean') and Ida's pervert roommate. The insect eventually infects Ida as well, using both women as incubators for its offspring. The true villain of the piece ends up being the homophobic parent who, in an effort to change his child, manages to destroy her (and others along the way).

Pro-Life.

Directed by John Carpenter (of Halloween fame), this story takes place entirely within a besieged women's clinic. On their way to work a doctor and nurse pick up a teenage girl from the side of the deserted mountain road. The girl is clearly in need of medical attention, so they take her to the clinic, deftly pointing out that this is the only place for a woman to receive free medical care of any kind in the area.

Upon check-in, it is made clear that this girl is, in fact, the daughter of a dangerous local anti-abortion activist. She tells the terrified doctor that "God wants you to kill my baby." Despite the advanced stage of the pregnancy, Angelique insists a demon impregnated her the night before, leading the staff to believe she is the victim of incest. Angelique's father and brothers storm the building, killing staff, security guards and patients with abandon. Both boys are killed during the assault as well, during which Angelique actually delivers a demonic baby. When a demon enters the building to pick up its offspring, Angelic's father is forced to confront his erroneous belief that he was slaughtering people in the name of God.

The Screwfly Solution.

Directed by Joe Dante, this story is based on the award-winning short story by Raccona Shelden (aka James Tiptree Jr). It is a pretty spot-on adaption that, quite unfortunately, cut some of the best lines from the story in favor of graphically depicting the brutal slaughter of the world's women. [3]

[1] Source: Masters of Horror website. [1] [2] Source: IMDB. [2] [3] Source: FSF Wiki. [[3]]

Note: Should be merged with FSF Wiki article Masters of Horror (TV Series) [[4]]