Skip to content

Book Review: URBAN TERRORS – NEW BRITISH HORROR CINEMA (1997-2008)

Written By:

Martin Unsworth
urban-terrors-book-review

Book Review: Urban Terrors – New British Horror Cinema 1997-2008 / Author: M.J. Simpson / Publisher: Hemlock Books / Release Date: Out Now

The problem with any reference or guide book written about film is that as soon as the author puts fingers to laptop, it’s already out of date. For that very reason, this review of every film released during what Simpson dubs the British horror revival is wisely capped at 2008.

Setting out these 114 entries in chronological rather than alphabetical order allows Simpson to comment on not just the technical advances but also the developing cultural and social statements these films often made. As suggested by the book’s title, the BHF (British Horror Film – see, you know it’s a phenomenon when it’s warrants an acronym) made a noticeable shift from the Gothic to a much rawer, urban horror during this time.

While Simpson does not skimp on the more obscure, little-heard-of shockers, the meatier coverage is given to familiar fare such as Dog Soldiers (Sean Pertwee, incidentally, provides a foreword), 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead. Directors such as Neil Marshall, Alex Chandon and Jake West understandably feature heavily, but there’s plenty of room for below-the-radar filmmakers like Jason Impey and Pat Higgins.

It’s pointed out in the epilogue that if you were to count 114 BHF films backwards from 1997, you would get to around 1972. Count forwards from 2009 and you would get part way through 2011. It is practically a boom time for BHF, as we see more and more no-budget films being made, and surprisingly, some are actually good. This book serves as an interesting overview of what was really the start of the BHF renaissance and, while some of the time Simpson is just quoting other reviewers and sources, the wealth of information and the namechecking of some overlooked gems makes it well worth a read.

Martin Unsworth

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More