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Disability and Popular Culture
  • ISSN: 2045-5852
  • E-ISSN: 2045-5860

Abstract

Representations of disability in contemporary horror films build on an uneasy legacy. Throughout horror history, filmmakers have used disability as a source of inspiration when creating monsters, villains and evildoers. In the twenty-first century, views on disability are changing and audience expectations are shifting. This article examines (2021), a film released at a transitional moment, balanced between embracing new visions of disability in horror and falling back into well-worn stereotypes. I argue that the film illustrates both progressive and conservative impulses towards disability representation in horror, providing a fascinating case study of how popular culture can both reflect and respond to emerging social dialogues.

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/content/journals/10.1386/ajpc_00118_1
2026-01-31
2026-04-19

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/content/journals/10.1386/ajpc_00118_1
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  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): ableism; film; media; monsters; normalcy; representation; stereotypes; wheelchair
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