It's Alive
dir. Larry Cohen · 1974
Feature
Psychological Horror
Mood
Dark / Tense
Look
gritty, low-budget realism with a touch of camp
Structure
linear with escalating tension
Plot
The Davises are expecting a baby, which turns out to be a monster with a nasty habit of killing people whenever scared. And it's easily scared.
Why watch
The Davises are thrilled to welcome their new baby, but their joy turns to horror when they discover their child is a murderous creature, easily frightened and prone to violence. Watching this film is a rollercoaster of dark humor and unsettling tension, as it cleverly critiques societal norms surrounding family and parenthood while delivering a unique blend of horror and absurdity.
Cultural context
1970s American horror renaissancesocietal fears surrounding parenthoodcritiques of suburban life