Trick-or-Treat! In a genre often overlooked, horror has become a trailblazer for diversity, inclusion, and authentic representation. The evolution of horror as a medium for exploring multifaceted female characters, diverse cultural perspectives, and LGBTQ+ experiences is a testament to the genre’s ability to push boundaries and challenge societal norms.
This month, Luminate Film & TV spotlights projects and talent that have moved the needle forward. Here’s to a bone-chilling October and remember, equity doesn’t have to be scary!
HALLOWEEN 2023
Horror Isn’t Afraid of Diversity: Projects
The Exorcist: Believer
BLACK STORIES, REBOOT, SUPERNATURAL
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
RELEASE DATE:
10/06/2023
The father of a possessed child seeks out the help of Chris MacNeil, who has previously dealt with her own child’s possession.
Continuation of the classic 70s-80s horror franchise.
Make Me Scream
Competition
Prime Video
RELEASE DATE:
10/03/2023
This Halloween special features three celebrity teams that embark on a game where they must face a series of bone-chilling scare zones while trying NOT to scream, in order to take home the prestigious Medal of Mayhem.
Unseen
Asian Stories, Crime, Suspense, Thriller, Women Centered Stories
Paramount
RELEASE DATE:
03/07/2023
Two women form an unlikely connection when a depressed gas station clerk, receives a call from Emily, a nearly blind woman who is running from her murderous ex in the woods.
The Fall of the House of Usher
Ensemble, Gothic, Horror, Limited/Event Series, LGBTQ Stories, Literary Adaptation, Suspense, Thriller
Netflix
RELEASE DATE:
10/12/2023
Siblings Roderick and Madeline Usher have built a pharmaceutical company into an empire of wealth, privilege, and power; however, secrets come to light when the heirs to the Usher dynasty start dying.
The Last Voyage of the Demeter
Gothic, Literary, adaptation, mystery, period piece, supernatural, thriller, vampire
UNIVERSAL pictures
RELEASE DATE:
8/11/2023
The merchant ship, Demeter, is chartered to carry 50 unmarked wooden crates from Carpathia to London. On board, the doomed crew is stalked each night by a merciless prescence.
Talk to Me
supernatural, suspense, thriller
a24
RELEASE DATE:
7/29/2023
Conjuring spirits has become the latest local party craze, and looking for a distraction on the anniversary of her mother’s death, teenage Mia is determined to get a piece of the otherworldly action.
It Lives Inside
asian stories, foreign language, supernatural
neon
RELEASE DATE:
9/22/2023
An Indian-American teenager struggling with her cultural identity has a falling out with her former best friend and, in the process, unwittingly releases a demonic entity that grows stronger.
Clock
film adaptation, thriller, women centered stories
Prime Video
RELEASE DATE:
4/28/2023
A woman attempts to fix her broken biological clock after friends, family, and society pressures her to have children. Adapted from the short of the same name.
HALLOWEEN 2023
Horror Isn’t Afraid of Diversity: Talent
Lidya Jewett
PROJECT
The Exorcist: Believer
Ethnicity
Black (African)
COH*
Ethiopia
COO*
Ethiopia
Gender
Female
Pronouns
she/her
*Country of Heritage / Country of Origin
Jane Mun
PROJECT
Make Me Scream
Ethnicity
Asian
COH
Korea (South)
COO
Korea (South)
Gender
Female
Pronouns
she/her
Yoko Okumura
PROJECT
Unseen
Ethnicity
Asian (East Asian)
COH
Japan
COO
Ethiopia
Gender
Female
Pronouns
she/her
LGBTQ+
Queer
Paola Núñez
PROJECT
The Fall of the House of Usher
Ethnicity
Latin/Hispanic
COH
Mexico
COO
Mexico
Gender
Female
Pronouns
she/her
Ruth Codd
PROJECT
The Fall of the House of Usher
Ethnicity
White / Caucasian
COH
Ireland
COO
Ireland
Gender
Female
Pronouns
she/her
Disability
Amputee
T’Nia Miller
PROJECT
The Fall of the House of Usher
Ethnicity
Black (Afro-Carribean)
COH
Jamaica / UK
COO
Jamaica / UK
Gender
Female
Pronouns
she/her
LGBTQ+
Lesbian
Corey Hawkins
PROJECT
The Last Voyage of the Demeter
Ethnicity
Black
COH
U.S.
COO
U.S.
Gender
Male
Pronouns
he/him
Sophie Wilde
PROJECT
Talk to me
Ethnicity
Black: African; White / Caucasian
COH
Australia, Ivory Coast
COO
Australia
Gender
Female
Pronouns
she/her
Bishal Dutta
PROJECT
