Falling Out of Love With Horror Movies

Let me add a little context first, so you can understand my state of mind at the time and the origin of this whole project.

One morning I woke up and went through the usual rituals—you know the drill. Then like almost every day, I found myself in front of the TV and immediately opened YouTube to reconnect with the world…

Yeah, I know it’s a little weird that I use that platform that way instead of just going outside and having proper conversations.

Like most people these days, YouTube has become my default window to what’s happening in the world of entertainment or even simple news. Trailers, interviews, reviews — if something new is coming out, chances are it will appear there first.

Anyway, while browsing through the recommended videos on my homepage, something caught my eye immediately, I saw a familiar logo that instantly brought me back to an amazing experience from years ago in the horror genre.

It was the biohazard symbol. But instead of the usual black icon on a red background, this one was blood red with 28 Years Later written in white above it.

“Oh shit…!”

That’s what I shouted immediately.

Goosebumps ran all over my body. I couldn’t have been more excited in that moment — a third movie was finally on the way!

Just then I noticed the release date of the trailer. It had been uploaded almost five months earlier.

And that’s when a slightly uncomfortable thought crossed my mind:

“Had I become completely disconnected from the genre I loved the most?”

It felt strange realizing that something so important to me had slipped past my radar for months.

Horror movies had always been one of my favorite genres growing up. I used to follow every new release, every rumor, every trailer. Somehow, without really noticing it, that connection had faded.

And the easy answer to that question was… well, yeah. I certainly was disconnected.

But the why though… is a bit harder to explain.

Over the last few years I had grown increasingly disappointed with many of the horror movies being released. Eventually, I started distancing myself from the genre unless something truly interesting appeared.

It wasn’t just the endless remakes and spin-offs chasing easy money, or the uneven quality caused by the global pandemic shutting down productions and slowing the industry’s recovery.

It also felt like many films were made by uninspired directors and writers, restricted by executives and corporate decisions. Because of that, it seemed like a truly exciting horror project hadn’t appeared in quite some time.

What originally drew me to horror was the raw creativity of the genre. Horror has always been a playground for bold ideas — strange concepts, experimental tropes, and stories that push boundaries. Some of the most memorable films in cinema history and literature came from creators and authors willing to take risks.

Of course, there were a few exceptions that I still watched and even mildly to highly enjoyed, sometimes thanks to the hype around them, in no particular order:

They were interesting films in their own way, but many of those leaned heavily toward psychological horror and trauma-driven storytelling — the kind that really messes with your head. If you’ve seen them, you probably know what I mean.

After a while I grew tired of that style and decided to take a break from American horror films.

Instead, I started becoming more curious about flicks from outside Hollywood.

Some of the most memorable horror experiences I had in the past came from international films. Movies like I Saw the Devil (2010) and Train to Busan (2016) from South Korea showed me how different cultures approach the genre in unique ways — sometimes darker, sometimes more emotional, and often far less predictable.

And I did found some gems that I will share with you in the near future.

But by that point I was honestly burned out, so I decided to start reading instead.

Books and Novels gave me something that movies sometimes can’t: time to sit with the story and imagine everything in my own way. It reminded me why storytelling matters regardless of the medium.

Finally, I could catch up with some works by my favorite author, Stephen King, that had been sitting on my shelf for years. I also discovered authors on other genres I hadn’t read before, like John Katzenbach and Sebastian Fitzek.

And honestly, I had a great time. Maybe I’ll talk about some of their books in another rant someday or a review.

Then, while going through my shelf, I saw Berserk by Kentaro Miura. I had about seven regular tankōbon volumes sitting there between some Sherlock Holmes books and a few Anne Rice novels that I honestly don’t even remember who gave me.

Seeing them reminded me again that Miura had passed away… and that’s exactly why I stopped reading the manga back then. It was painful to think that after following a story for so many years—since middle school for me—fans might never get an ending.

I ended up rereading those volumes in no time at all, and that feeling only Berserk gives me… made me want to continue the story, even if only to reconnect with it again. This dark fantasy story had inspired so many other masterpieces, like the Dark Souls game franchise or the Goblin Slayer novels, that I just had to read all that was published as soon as possible.

While searching online to see where I could read the rest, I discovered that Studio Gaga, along with one of Miura’s close friends—also a mangaka—had decided to continue the project.

The moment I learned that, I immediately ordered the premium omnibus edition from Dark Horse, and just like that… I was hooked all over again. Honestly, it was one of the best manga purchases I’ve made so far.

Since then, I’ve placed a few more orders for manga and books that I’ll be sharing here as well. Some are great, some are just okay… and a few are honestly not that good—but that’s part of the fun of exploring new stories.

Still, part of me started wondering if I had made a mistake by stepping away from horror movies completely. Maybe I had missed some hidden gems.

So I started looking up upcoming films again.

Even after stepping away from the genre for a while, the curiosity never fully disappeared. Every once in a while I would hear about a new release, see a discussion online, or catch a glimpse of a trailer somewhere. Slowly, that curiosity started pulling me back.

Long story short, that’s how I ended up discovering the new 28 Years Later trailer months after everyone else did.

To be completely honest, even after returning to the genre I still haven’t found exactly what I was hoping for in recent horror releases.

But it does look like the genre is slowly gaining strength again, with bigger budgets and more ambitious projects.

That realization is exactly why I decided to create a space where I could reconnect with the media world.

I wanted a place where I could keep track of new releases and revisit the media I’ve enjoyed over the years—not just movies, but books, series, games, anime, manga, and more.

At first, the idea was something simple. I considered creating an Excel sheet or using something like an Obsidian media tracker just to organize everything for myself.

Over the years, I realized I had consumed hundreds of movies, series, comics, books, and games, yet I had never really documented any of it. Most of the time I would just discuss them with friends or family. But as time goes on and I am getting older, those little “escape valves” for conversation become fewer and farther between—and sometimes they simply aren’t enough anymore.

Eventually, I began thinking that it might be nice to share those thoughts with other people as well. I could have posted them on Reddit, but many communities have restrictions or posting limits that make it difficult to start discussions as a newcomer.

Over time, it became clear that I didn’t just want to keep track of what I watch or read. I also wanted a place to share my thoughts, reactions, and discoveries with others who enjoy the same kinds of stories.

And that’s how the idea for this website slowly started to take shape.

Maybe you’re someone who loves horror movies like I do. Maybe you’re looking for your next great book. Or maybe you’re just curious about something new to watch or play.

Whatever the case, I hope this site becomes a place where you can discover something interesting.

And if you have recommendations, suggestions, or just want to share your own thoughts about a movie, book, game, anime, or series…

Feel free to reach out through the contact page or my socials.

I’m always open to discovering new stories.

After all, that’s exactly why this website exists.

If this site helps even one person like me stay connected to the ever-growing world of entertainment, then it will have served its purpose.

Always looking for the next story worth experiencing,

Joe Diaz