Authors Alexandra West and Dahlia Schweitzer discuss the portrayal of haunted homes in movies and its connection to the real anxieties of home ownership. They explore the economic desperation behind buying unaffordable houses and critique the lack of diversity in the genre. The podcast also delves into the factors contributing to the haunted housing market and its reflection in haunted house movies. Realtor Cindi Hagley shares her experiences selling haunted houses and the need for compassion. The episode concludes with a chilling paranormal encounter recounted by Cindy.
Haunted house stories in literature and pop culture serve as metaphors for the dark side of home ownership, exploring financial burden and the transformation of the American dream into a nightmare.
Haunted house movies and TV shows reflect societal issues such as racial dynamics in the creation of suburbs, challenging the perception of idyllic, white-dominated spaces.
Deep dives
The American Nightmare of Home Ownership
Haunted house stories in literature and pop culture serve as metaphors for the dark side of home ownership. These narratives explore the American dream of owning a house and its transformation into the American nightmare of financial burden and trapped homeownership. Haunted house genre highlights themes like buying beyond means, house poor individuals, and the struggle to leave once in. The Amityville Horror, a pivotal 1979 film, exemplified this genre's kickstart by revealing economic anxieties intertwined with supernatural elements. The idea of owning a haunted house challenges the conventional belief that homeownership guarantees security.
The Role of Suburbs and Racial Tropes
Haunted house movies predominantly feature white families, pointing to the racially motivated design of suburbs in the United States. The creation of suburbs was a strategic plan involving government agencies and capitalism, encouraging white flight from cities. This controlled expansion led to redlining and a valuation of homes based on the presence of white residents. The scarcity of black families moving into haunted homes in the suburbs perpetuates racial tropes and reflects deeper societal issues. Haunted homes become a narrative tool to discuss racial dynamics and challenge the perception of suburban living as an idyllic, white-dominated space.
The Shifting Perspective and Modern Haunted Homes
Contemporary haunted house movies and TV shows reflect the evolving emotional landscape surrounding homeownership. The portrayal of haunted homes explores economic debt and the precariousness felt by generations burdened by the American dream. Ghosts and supernatural forces now represent not just spiritual torment, but also financial struggles and the loss of true ownership. The rise of technology and the use of real estate as an investment further complicate the notion of home as a safe and personal space. These narratives reflect the disconnection between individuals and their homes in an era driven by financial concerns and the commodification of real estate.
We all know the scenario. A nice young family moves into a new house. It’s haunted by an evil spirit. Mayhem ensues. These movies have been reliable box office hits for decades, but they might also be telling us something about the real anxieties of home ownership. I talk with Alexandra West, co-host of the podcast Faculty of Horror, and Dahlia Schweitzer, author of Haunted Homes, about how the history of the American suburbs made their mark on movies like The Amityville Horror and Poltergeist. George R. Olson, showrunner of the Syfy series SurrealEstate, discusses why the heroes of his show are ghost whispering real estate agents. And realtor Cindi Hagley explains how she became an expert in selling stigmatized properties with haunted pasts.
Also check out the Faculty of Horror episode House Warning.