The Warmth of Darkness: A Look At Horror Romance
Can prose encompass the allure of darkness? For the soul knows no bounds to the desire to be consumed. Touches without senses as the body falls away to the caress of the macabre.
To know the reality of one’s existence usurps sensibility and strips another of their limitations just so they can retain their role in presence. You see, the darkness that looms in the trenches of our world, is an old entity one that supersedes the restrictions of time, space, death, and absumption.
That feeling, is the warmth of darkness. An exquisite horror that Poe would be proud about.
The intersection between horror and romance is a sweet spot that’s loomed within us and rears its ugly head at the best of times. Think about scenes where the antagonist and main character are enthralled in a passionate, precarious position and it spurs the random thought, “what if they got together?” If you’re anything like me—watching the scene from the 2004 Alien vs. Predator movie where the Predator reveals his face to Sana Lathan, bloomed that wanton need to ship characters that would leave society with…questions. And don’t even get me started on the beautiful couple Annie and Smoke from the blockbuster, Sinners.
The attraction to horror movies and their gruesome villains, spurs further than our adrenaline junkie ways but how the stories gave way to the legendary monsters that planted the moths that fluttered in our bellies and gave us lessons to carry. However, horror romance is in a different league than any other genre. Horrors ability to subvert the human experience and force the consumer to face their fears marries romances capabilities to afford readers the opportunity to feel acceptance. A true macabre rapture of the soul, if I do say so myself.
With horror, there’s always a complex commentary on the darkness of humanity. In these terrifying stories lies the unspoken darkness that lurks in the human existence and unveils them to afford them a stage to truly preform. The stories may range in the level of gore or worldbuilding, but will always be contingent on the axis of fear we feel seeing the pieces of ourselves we wish to hide. Revisiting the example of the Predator franchise, let us reflect on its messaging and intention behind the movie. Predator movies subvert the narrative of masculinity and violence, forces the viewer…particularly cisgender men…to experience what it means to be prey. Visuals of ultimate masculinity being flipped on its head to where the strong are now the weak, especially in the presence of a ultimate opponent. As we watch this creature of ultimate power, stratagem, and brutality tear away at both flesh and ego of men is a fearsome image, hence the popularity of the franchise.
Whereas with romance, the genre explores the human experience within a lighter lens through the usage of a happily ever after—or at least a happily for now. Nonetheless, there’s a misconception that romance is merely fluff, that the genre isn’t one of reflection and social commentary. Romance like many others contains the same elements of unmasking the unconscious needs, and the impact of such cannot be disregarded. The difference that makes the romance genre stand out is the ability to assert the idea life is not without reward, and in love we find such compensation. Whether it be eternal or fleeting, the tenderness of romance affords the readers that tribulations do not define you and learn teachers we’re worthy of love. Within romance, a focal point of development is self-discovery, social liberation, and understanding the diversity of living.
As spoken of before, both genres explores protagonists emotions and their complex intensity; In a lot of ways, fear and love walk hand-in-hand. You see, arousal spurs a fire that bloom within our chests, adrenaline stimulates our flight-fight-or-flee mechanisms, and leaves us in situations where we must face the realities we are in. With horror, the author grasps the threads of our darkest fears and weaves worlds that force us to unveil the phantoms we run from—however, the elements of romance presents the question, “What if the darkness I’m running from, was where I was supposed to be all along? What if, inside the darkness is where I can find my salvation?”
Similar to dark romance, horror romance relies on the lure of the forbidden to jerk the reader from their comforts, and affords them the chance to explore unsettling premises, and embrace their captivating elements. It’s a complex balance of empathy, yearning for release, and critical social analysis within a mind-bending setting.
Horror romance attracts fans with how the darkness and disturbance gifts the readers with another form of catharsis. In these tales, we are afforded stories that leave marks on us for centuries. An example of this is the gothic horror novel, Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas. Set in 1840s during the Mexican-American War, the story follows characters Nena and Néstor who were two childhood friends separated by tragedy. A series of mysterious attacks reemerge their paths and set them on a course of vampire attacks and other sinister entities. The story marriages the haunting fear factor of vampirism and the love they hold for each other in a beautiful way. Listen—this book is so freaking good and gives you everything you could ever ask for! Ranging from eerie horror, slow burn romance, action and more, Cañas does a beautiful job in creating a multilayered story that demonstrates a gruesome reality within the horror while also fostering feelings of deep yearning.
Cañas utilizes vampirism in this horror romance as a deeper message beyond a lurking creature in the night while beautifully balancing a legend of soulmates. The story demonstrates how horror creates a commentary on humanity for how readers are placed in a fearful, haunting environment where we see predators that are without remorse. These creatures lurk in the shadows hunting Nena and Néstor, under the desire to consume and perpetuate a cannibalistic system of colonization that tears away at humanity and community. Cañas establishes a powerful commentary on class, gender, and more within this supernatural horror story that’ll stay with you after finishing the book.
In addition to the horror within the story, we see an emotional journey of love in Vampires of El Norte. Nena and Nèstor’s unequivocal affection acts as a figure of hope within the darkness. Through the usage romance within this gothic horror, Cañas places illustrates a complexity of life; as the characters persevere through brutality and darkness, we find a thread for survival within the expressions of loving devotion. The palpable tension between Nena and Nèstor’s runs parallel to the haunting vampirism that consumes the reader in this envelope of raw sensations. From the paralyzing fear that the vampires spur to the emotional vulnerability from the romance creates an impactful crescendo within the plot. The marriage of these genres births the fearsome yearning that is brutal, unyielding yet still draws you in beautifully.
Vampires of El Norte is one of many tales where the worlds of horror and romance collides to create spellbinding tales. For all the sensation-seekers out there that hope to engage with art that rubs their imaginations in the right ways, this genre is the perfect one for you. When first getting into the subgenre fusion, it can be nerve-wracking; with the fearful, gory reputation horror carries (—rightfully so,) the inevitable decent into the literature could push boundaries you readily feel ill-prepared to explore. However, once you afford yourself the freedom to explore, you’ll find yourself consuming the genre with ease. Similar to the gifts from dark romance, horror romance offers the consumer a chance to process experiences, explore humanity, and find healing in the various tales created. Not with trepidation or worries of romanticizing these that aren’t healthy, but the parkour version of getting out of our comfort zone. Like with every genre, please be mindful of your boundaries—I’ll scream from the rooftops always be wary of triggers and limitations—but if this is something that interests you? Take the chance! It’s an experience that you’ll never regret.
…Did I spark your interest? Good! Here’s some book recs that I think you’ll enjoy.
