Terror in the Desert: Dark Cinema of the American Southwest - Paperback

by Brad Sykes (Author)

Set in the American Southwest, "desert terror" films combine elements from horror, film noir and road movies to tell stories of isolation and violence. For more than half a century, these diverse and troubling films have eluded critical classification and analysis. Highlighting pioneering filmmakers and bizarre production stories, the author traces the genre's origins and development, from cult exploitation (The Hills Have Eyes, The Hitcher) to crowd-pleasing franchises (Tremors, From Dusk Till Dawn) to quirky auteurist fare (Natural Born Killers, Lost Highway) to more recent releases (Bone Tomahawk, Nocturnal Animals). Rare stills, promotional materials and a filmography are included.

Author Biography

Brad Sykes is the award-winning screenwriter and director of more than 20 feature films, including Plaguers, Death Factory and Camp Blood. He has penned articles for cinema magazines such as Fangoria, Indie Slate and Evilspeak. He lives in Los Angeles, California.