Latin American (Literary) Horror
A brief overview
Context
My research explores the Latin American Horror genre as a lens to examine how patriarchal and neoliberal systems inflict bodily horrors upon the feminised bodies of domestic workers. Throughout my PhD journey, I’ve found it challenging to convey both the essence of this genre and its significance. Here, I’ll share some key insights I’ve gained along the way.
What is Latin American Horror?
Latin American Horror is a literary genre that builds upon traditional horror conventions while distinctly focusing on the region’s specific terrors and social realities. While some scholars refer to it as ‘Latin American Gothic,’ the relationship between these terms remains unclear to me. My understanding is that ‘Latin American Gothic’ is a sub-genre of ‘Latin American Horror’. I will keep digging into this.
Though Latin American Horror emerged around the 1960s with pioneering writers like Amparo Dávila, it's often considered a relatively 'new' literary genre due to its recent boom. The genre has gained recognition for its feminist perspective, powerfully depicting the experiences of women and non-male bodies. Contemporary writers such as Mariana Enríquez, María Fernanda Ampuero, Mónica Ojeda, and Fernanda Melchor, have achieved worldwide acclaim, bringing fresh attention to Latin American Horror's distinctive voice.
In an article about Latin American Horror, Federico Guzmán Rubio asks, ‘What is Latin America afraid of?’ To me, this is the question that lies at the heart of the genre.
Some of the works can be read as social critiques that aim to offer a new way of perceiving the tricky realities lived in Latin America. Latin American Horror grapples with visceral themes including death, violence against non-male bodies, political upheaval, corruption, and poverty. These works often serve as powerful social critiques, offering fresh perspectives on the complex realities faced by women and gender non-conforming individuals across Latin America.
I look forward to exploring the specific elements of Latin American Horror in my next post.