Horror Movies, Sexuality & Power

Sex and horror have always been intertwined. While the genre has often been criticised as exploitative or moralising – particularly toward women – it has also created a powerful space for audiences to explore their own stories of desire, fear and identity.

In this thought-provoking talk, Katie Evans draws on psychoanalysis, queer theory and film history to uncover the hidden narratives within some of our most beloved horror films. From classic monsters like Dracula and The Bride of Frankenstein to Psycho, Hellraiser and It Follows, we’ll examine how themes of shame, pleasure and survival play out on screen.

Whether you’re drawn to horror, fascinated by identity, or curious about sexuality, this talk invites you to consider what horror narratives really represent. Together, we’ll explore ideas on sexual development, kink and queerness – and how horror films can reflect the parts of ourselves we’re taught to hide, revealing our complex relationship with otherness and what we can fear is the “monstrous” within.

Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!

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Katie Evans is a BACP-accredited therapist and self-confessed horror nerd. Her passion for all things spooky began in childhood and continued through her studies in music, film, and media at Liverpool University, before moving into the field of mental health. She holds advanced accreditation in GSRD Therapy (Gender, Sexuality, and Relationship Diversity). In addition, Katie has presented at conferences across Europe and has spoken for organisations including The Maudsley, the British Psychological Society, The NHS, LGBT Foundation, and HMPPS, among others. She is also a registered guest lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University. An advocate for using pop culture in psychotherapy, Katie previously hosted The Mental Health Monsters Podcast and continues to explore how fictional narratives – especially those from the horror genre – can help us better understand ourselves.

This talk is 18+

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