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“SCREAMING AND CONJURING” book takes a deep dive into modern horror

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | Books, News

By MICHAEL GINGOLD

The author of the SHAUN OF THE DEAD chronicle YOU’VE GOT RED ON YOU now examines the full range of the genre from the late ’90s through the 2020s.

1984 Publishing will release SCREAMING AND CONJURING: THE RESURRECTION AND UNSTOPPABLE RISE OF THE MODERN HORROR MOVIE on September 2. Written by Clark Collis, the 504-page book covers the last three decades of fright filmmaking, including in-depth interviews with many of its key figures. According to the PR, “From GET OUT and M3GAN to THE SUBSTANCE and SINNERS, the horror genre is currently experiencing a thrilling resurgence. The modern era of horror has delivered a string of classic terror tales, including THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, THE SIXTH SENSE, FINAL DESTINATION, THE OTHERS, PAN’S LABYRINTH, 28 DAYS LATER, RESIDENT EVIL, SAW, HOSTEL, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, and THE CONJURING, which launched the horror genre’s first multi-billion-dollar franchise. SCREAMING AND CONJURING dives deep into the challenging and often chaotic production stories behind these films–and many more–offering readers an inside look at the creative turbulence and triumphs that brought these landmark movies to life.

“The book features exclusive anecdotes from some of horror’s most influential figures—including actors Jamie Lee Curtis [HALLOWEEN] and Neve Campbell [SCREAM], directors Eli Roth [HOSTEL] and Sam Raimi [THE EVIL DEAD, DRAG ME TO HELL], and legendary special effects artist Greg Nicotero [THE MIST, THE WALKING DEAD]–as they share insider stories from the genre’s most iconic films.”

“For decades, horror was regarded as the film industry’s dirty secret, and now it’s one of the genres which is keeping Hollywood alive and cinemas open,” Collis says. “SCREAMING AND CONJURING shows how a group of filmmakers turned horror into a box office juggernaut by creating some of the scariest movies ever unleashed onto the big screen.” Roth describes SCREAMING AND CONJURING as “An amazing account of one of the wildest, bloodsoaked periods in modern cinema. A treasure chest of bloody good memories and stories from everyone who lived through it. A must-read for any horror fan who wants to know how the sausage is disemboweled.”

SCREAMING AND CONJURING will debut as a limited first-edition deluxe hardcover that sports black foil-gilded page edges, textured cover spot varnish and heavyweight paper stock, available at on-line and local bookstores worldwide. The cover illustration and design are by celebrated artist Gary Pullin, known for his work for RUE MORGUE as well as Stephen King, Alice Cooper et al.

Michael Gingold
Michael Gingold (RUE MORGUE's Head Writer) has been covering the world of horror cinema for over three decades, and in addition to his work for RUE MORGUE, he has been a longtime writer and editor for FANGORIA magazine and its website. He has also written for BIRTH.MOVIES.DEATH, SCREAM, IndieWire.com, TIME OUT, DELIRIUM, MOVIEMAKER and others. He is the author of the AD NAUSEAM books (1984 Publishing) and THE FRIGHTFEST GUIDE TO MONSTER MOVIES (FAB Press), and he has contributed documentaries, featurettes and liner notes to numerous Blu-rays, including the award-winning feature-length doc TWISTED TALE: THE UNMAKING OF "SPOOKIES" (Vinegar Syndrome).