Dark Lens | Infinite Terror: An Exploration of Space Horror
A brief essay with suggested consumption
Dark Lens is a series of editorials on all things horror, sci-fi, and beyond.
In the vast emptiness of space, where no one can hear you scream, lies the breeding ground for some of the most chilling stories ever conceived. Welcome to the realm of space horror, a dark and terrifying subgenre that explores the depths of human fear against the backdrop of the infinite cosmos.
Space horror has its roots firmly planted in the fertile soil of science fiction literature. Authors like H.P. Lovecraft and Arthur C. Clarke paved the way, crafting stories that whispered of cosmic terrors lurking beyond the stars. But it wasn't until the 20th century that space horror truly came into its own, with filmmakers, writers, and game developers plumbing the depths of space to uncover its darkest secrets.
In cinema, space horror found its first true masterpiece in the form of Ridley Scott's Alien (1979). Set aboard the commercial spacecraft Nostromo, the film follows a crew of astronauts as they encounter a deadly extraterrestrial creature. With its claustrophobic atmosphere, relentless tension, and iconic creature design, Alien set a new standard for the genre, and spawned a franchise that continues to this day.
Books, television and video games have also embraced the horrors of space, each exploring the various ways it can terrify us. So why is it that space horror is so effective? I think it’s several reasons:
Isolation: Space is vast, but it's also lonely. The idea of being isolated millions of miles away from help, trapped in a spacecraft or a space station, amplifies feelings of claustrophobia and helplessness. There's nowhere to run, and no one to turn to for help.
The Unfathomable: Space is the ultimate unknown. It's huge, mysterious, and almost entirely unexplored. The thought of encountering something in the depths of space that is beyond human comprehension is deeply unsettling. Whether it's an alien creature, a cosmic anomaly, or some other inexplicable phenomenon, the idea that there are things out there that we can't understand or control is terrifying.
Cosmic Dread: Space is a constant reminder of humanity's insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe. It's a place where the laws of nature are indifferent to human existence. This existential dread forces us to confront the fragility of our existence.
Hostility: Space is an inherently dangerous environment, with extreme temperatures, vacuum conditions, and other hazards that can kill in an instant. Surviving in such an environment requires ingenuity, resourcefulness, and courage. In space horror, characters are often faced with life-or-death situations where the slightest mistake can mean the difference between survival and annihilation.
Ourselves: The isolation, the darkness, and the unknown of space can play tricks on the mind, leading to paranoia, hallucinations, and other psychological terrors. Characters in space horror stories often grapple with their own sanity as they confront whatever lurks in the darkness.
Overall, space horror is effective because it preys on some of our deepest, most primal fears: fear of the unknown, fear of isolation, fear of insignificance, and fear of our own mortality. It taps into our darkest anxieties about the universe and our place within it, creating a visceral and unforgettable experience that lingers long after the story has ended.
If you're brave enough to explore the world of space horror, here is some suggested consumption:
Movies
Alien (1979): Ridley Scott's haunted house in space set the standard for sci-fi horror. Not only that, it introduced us to H.R. Giger’s iconic Xenomorph design AND cemented Sigourney Weaver as a movie icon.
The Thing (1982): John Carpenter's remake of the 1951 film is a masterclass in paranoia and practical effects. The film's ambiguous ending continues to spark debate among fans, and the movie has only grown better with age.
Event Horizon (1997): This visually stunning film delves into psychological horror, exploring themes of madness and the consequences of venturing into the unknown. Plus, it has Sam Neill.
Sunshine (2007): Danny Boyle's thought-provoking film explores the psychological toll of a dangerous mission to reignite the dying sun. A great cast and great visuals.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Stanley Kubrick's enigmatic and visually stunning film explores themes of evolution, technology, and humanity's place in the universe. While not strictly horror, it contains unsettling sequences, existential dread, and the most famous killer AI of all time.
Pandorum (2009): An underrated gem that features claustrophobic corridors, grotesque creatures, and a mind-bending twist.
Europa Report (2013): This found-footage film offers a realistic portrayal of a low-budget mission to Jupiter's moon Europa, where the crew makes a chilling discovery.
Apollo 18 (2011): A mockumentary-style film that presents a fictional account of a disastrous Apollo mission to the moon.
Books
Who Goes There/Frozen Hell (1938/2019) by John W. Campbell, Jr.: The original novella that was adapted into The Thing, along with its recently restored, original version, are must-reads for fans of the movie, as well as classic science fiction and horror.
Annihilation (2014) by Jeff VanderMeer: The first book in the Southern Reach Trilogy, it follows an expedition into a mysterious and deadly environmental disaster zone known as "Area X". This is a slow, hypnotic journey into cosmic horror.
The Dark (2015) by Forrest Carr: A group of astronauts conducting an experiment travel further than humankind has ever journeyed, at a terrifying cost. A genuinely cold and creepy ride.
The Void (2012) by Brett J. Talley: In the future, mankind travels great distances through space, with one catch: they have to be asleep to do it. But the dreams occasionally drive people mad. And yet, are they just dreams?
Dead Space: Martyr (2010) by B.K. Evenson: Serving as the backstory to Dead Space (more on that soon), this book details the origin of “The Black Marker” as well as the foundation of the Church of Unitology.
Video Games
Dead Space (2008): A visceral and claustrophobic third-person shooter where you battle grotesque necromorphs aboard a derelict spaceship, this game not only bleeds atmosphere, it tells a layered story of grief, madness, and religious zealotry. Recently remade, you honestly can’t go wrong with any version of Dead Space, whether it be book, game, anime, or graphic novel.
Alien: Isolation (2014): A first-person survival horror game that puts you in the shoes of Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley from the Alien films, as you navigate a space station stalked by a Xenomorph.
System Shock 2 (1999): A classic immersive sim with RPG elements set on a space station overrun by rogue AI and mutants. It's known for its deep lore, challenging gameplay, and creepy atmosphere. A modern-day remake was recently published.
Doom 3 (2002): A dark and suspenseful reboot of the classic FPS franchise, set on a Mars research facility overrun by demonic creatures. Not my favorite Doom to play, but easily the scariest.
Prey (2017): An immersive sim with a strong focus on environmental storytelling, where you take on the role of Morgan Yu, a scientist trapped aboard a space station overrun by hostile alien lifeforms.
Moons of Madness (2019): A first-person psychological horror game set on Mars. You play as an engineer who experiences disturbing visions and hallucinations as you investigate a mysterious signal coming from one of the moons.
Bonus
The Vessel Podcast (2019-?): My own stab at space horror tells the story of one man who wakes up on a massive generation ship with nightmares of who he was when he went into cryosleep, all while people around him mysteriously die. Two seasons are available, with more to eventually come.
What’s your favorite space horror? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to know.
This is probably my favorite horror sub-genre. Great post with most of the greats. I always want more. I like Moon too. It's not exactly horror but it does hit a nerve.
I don’t consume enough space horror it seems. These all look so good! The only space horror I’ve read is called Dead Silence by S. A. Barns and I have to say, I loved it. It was so creepy.