Monstrum: Slasher Lore Is Way Deeper Than You Think

The 1974 movies Black Christmas and Texas Chain Saw Massacre gave rise to what would become one of cinema’s most enduring genres: the slasher film. In this special episode, we’ll talk about the origins, evolution and cultural impact of these gory popcorn films and take a close look at the key tropes — masked killers, final girls, and gore — that continue to make slashers iconic. Here is why slashers — from Halloween to Dead By Daylight — are here to stay. The world is full of monsters, and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. Join Emily Zarka, Ph.D. on a journey to discover humans’ unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature and film. PBS Digital Studios produces original programming that connects and inspires the next generation of PBS viewers. We bridge the gap between new and existing audiences at PBS by meeting people where they are. Currently, PBSDS includes a network of 16 active channels and averages nearly 50 million views per month. Since 2012, PBS Digital Studios has launched over 75 series, gaining over 30 million subscribers and 4 billion lifetime views on YouTube. 82% of the audience is less than 45 years old.