„Thanatomorphose” and „Contracted”: Feminine body and sexuality in horror and the horror of feminine body and sexuality

Abstract

Thanatomorphose and Contracted: Feminine body and sexuality in horror and the horror of feminine body and sexuality

The paper juxtaposes two films — Thanatomorphose directed by Éric Falardeau 2012 and Contracted directed by Eric England 2013 — in order to illustrate how both use similar themes of rot, disfigurement and decay of the body to paint different images of the female body and its aesthetic and functional value. Through the use of close reading, the analysis focuses on the manner in which the aforementioned themes in the discussed film texts are expressed within the boundaries of horror discourse to emphasize issues such as abuse, objectification and self-harm.