The Sam Sanders Show Is Jaws Really a Horror Movie?
Oct 29, 2025
In this discussion, videographer Luis Peña shares his insights on the debate surrounding Jaws as a horror film. He argues against its classification while Sam defends it passionately. The duo hashes out the differences between dread-focused horror and situations of inescapability. Luis reveals his picks for horror's Mount Rushmore, expressing love for films like Hereditary and Paranormal Activity. They also dive into the communal experience of horror and the resurgence of the genre, pointing out standout films from recent years.
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Dread And Death Define Horror
- Sam argues horror can be defined by dread or fear of death, which places Jaws inside the genre.
- He says Jaws' pervasive dread and mortality focus make it a legitimate horror film.
Horror Requires No Escape
- Luis defines horror as a situation with no escape where you must figure out survival against an inexplicable force.
- He uses that no-escape criterion to exclude films like Jaws from horror.
Why Saw One Still Matters
- Luis recounts choosing Saw (the first film) for his Mount Rushmore because of its low budget, tension, and twist.
- He describes the original Saw as perfectly made and still effective decades later.