Classic Monsters which should be introduced into today's Fiction

There are many types of monsters in fiction which haven't lost their 'punch' regardless of how many movies or books are published featuring them. I'm talking about the same ol' Werewolves, Zombies, Vampires genre. And no doubt, we have some great titles on these monsters and some of the greatest horror classics are based on them.

But we are in 2017 and after dwelling into the common type of horrific elements for decades, maybe it's time to look deeper into the older legends. Ancient mythology, religion and art is filled with creatures which brings fears to the human heart. So why aren't we able to look into them?

FEAR IS THE MINDKILLER

For me, there is a fundamental question of whether these monsters have simply become too safe, whether you’re a horror reader or a horror viewer. I struggle immensely to come up with something in any media featuring a vampire that has really left me uneasy. The same goes for zombies, who maraud in such huge numbers but risk becoming hackneyed (it’s good to gradually see alternative takes – such as my very favourite Pontypool) and for werewolves it’s been equally difficult to find something genuinely frightening for many years.

Of course there would have been a time when these tropes-to-be would have been all but unknown to horror fans, and as such been genuinely startling. I don’t think it’s hard to make an argument that this unholy trinity have simply lost the fear factor – which makes many of the stories featuring them perhaps more action-oriented, or dramatic tales of human transformation. But once that fear factor goes, it’s hugely hard to get back – I wonder if these tropes have become safe ground, almost cosy and comforting to come back to rather than being an area approached with any twinge of trepidation. And that, for me, is why horror authors need to delve further into the pantheon of monstrosities and nightmares imbued in the human consciousness.

So let’s explore some of the options, shall we – and perhaps we can find the next big monster to make the breakthrough?

THE WITCH

If you’re familiar with wicca, the idea of a witch will certainly be something far different from the object of fear it is renowned by many as. However, as we’re writing about horror, let’s stick with that better-known dark fiction concept. Probably the one ‘monster’ we have seen threatening to make a strong re-emergence – Deborah Harkness’ All Souls Trilogy is a prime example of recent times, not to mention the much-lauded horror film The Witch. One of the things that is so potentially horrifying about any story about witches is the air of paranoia and misunderstanding that typically surrounds it, brilliantly captured in the non-horror play The Crucible. How scary would it be not only to encounter a witch, and all of the magics and concoctions associated with that, but also to be under suspicion and endure the fear of death at the hands of a baying mob of people with little true knowledge or understanding, armed only with fear, mistrust and ignorance? In that, stories about witches have both a classic creature element and potentially terrifying human aspect too.

THE GOLEM

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Of course, when you hear the term, it’s hard not to think of the classic 1936 movie, but this is a creature that to me is well worth a revisit. One of the things that can be so frightening about horror is the idea of inevitability – that concept that whatever is out to get you is relentless, and no matter how far you run or how much to you try and hide, the end is not going to be good for you. What could better epitomise that than the golem – a mighty, soulless, heartless being imbued only with the will of its master, unrelenting and unresting until that will is carried out. There’s nothing even vaguely human about these creatures; they are simply manifestations of what their creator wants. And dare I say – given the current feeling in the political climate – is the thought of an empty being following a dangerous, power-crazed leader not somehow apt?

THE MUMMY

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While the mummy has been given a few treatments before – we’ve not seen anything hugely significant for a while. Could the time be right for a revival in the undead abomination of Egyptian mythology? You could argue that case that a mummy is simply another form of zombie, but I feel there are enough differences to pull the two apart. If there is something that might hold the mummy back from a comeback in fiction, it might be that inescapable link to Egyptian mythology – a vampire, zombie or werewolf is generally fairly easy to transport to a setting to suit you and your story. Pulling apart a mummy from its Egyptian roots may be a great deal more difficult. However, that is a time and place in history that does hold a certain fascination, so I wouldn’t like to cross out the possibility of a resurgence some time soon.

THE BANSHEE

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Folk horror is something that we will be exploring in a future article, and if a single creature were the perfect epitome of that subgenre it would have to be the banshee. The screaming horror – in fact a part of the fairy kingdom in common folklore – is often perceived to be an inhabitant of the woods or the countryside. It also shares that great aspect of inevitability – its hideous, keening wail is said to foreshadow the death of a family member. How effective could that be in a horror tale – which family member, and how? And could it be possible to avoid the destiny predicted by the banshee’s cry? And further, could the banshee be talked to, bargained with, persuaded in some way to redact its prediction of death? With folk horror experiencing a solid revival, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this Scottish and Irish myth being seen again a few times.

THE SIREN

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Now here’s an interesting one – a favourite of Greek mythology, luring sailors to their death with their powerful, alluring song and beautiful appearance. It surprises me in a way that this hasn’t been explored rather more in horror fiction – the concept of a creature that looks glorious to the human eye but has a darker, more malevolent exterior should certainly be something of interest for those wanting to craft something a bit more psychological. Who could – would – resist the song, and what could the motive of this devious creature be? There’s certainly scope for some great creativity here in taking the siren from its ancient roots and putting it into the modern world – how would such an entrapping beauty fit into the world of 2017, of instant gratification and affairs and indiscretion? There may be room to give this stunning but deadly being an outing or two in horror fiction.

THE INCUBUS AND THE SUCCUBUS

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I think it’s fair to say that these days we live in a highly sexualised age, so it surprises me that these two demonic creatures haven’t made at least something of a return to fiction or film in recent times. For those unfamiliar with these beings, an incubus is a male demon who draws in women to have sex with and – often – impregnate them with hell-spawned children. A succubus is a female demon who basically drains the energy, lifeforce and ultimately soul from a man with her rapacious sexual appetite – which her victim is unable to resist. These specific forms of demons could surely fit into a story in 2017? This is another form of creature I would half-expect to be seeing more of in the coming years – it’s not hard to imagine a few potentially very effective storylines based in modern society.

THE MONSTER MASH

In this article we’ve explored some of the classic horror monsters – and why some of them may be a little overdone in the current writing climate – and just some of the alternatives that might be due for a revival or a second look. Of course any literary trends are hard to predict, but I have certainly done my best to look into the crystal ball... Horror is very much a genre that moves with the times, and new trends very often follow current events – which as we know are extremely hard to predict. Put simply, the times will dictate the fear of people within the society, and that in turn should inform the writing of the best horror authors around. Look at the world, familiarise yourself with what is going on within it and see if there is a way to blend that with a monster of your choice. Creatures can certainly be scary, but oftentimes there is nothing scarier than reality.

If you are into horror fiction, check out this article written by me :)