Alright ! here's a short list of some of my favorite creative inspirations! if you're interested in any of the books here i have most of them as pdfs/epubs and threw them in a drive here
A large inspiration for how I conceptualize the world of FHR. Techno and psychological horror show about a world simultaneously ahead of and behind modern technology. Deals with heavier themes of (un)reality, isolation in the face of technological advances, and an over-reliance on technology to foster human connections. As well as the divisions the Self can undergo in the face of all these things. Itâs something I lean into a lot for more abstract imagery and that kind of depressed, retro-futurism that FHR dabbles in. Do read the label and check the trigger warnings beforehand though as it can be a lot if youâre not in the right headspace for it. There is a lot of references to suicide/suicidality right from episode 1 and it can definitely be hard to watch if you've experienced similar things (i know i had to take breaks when first watching it).
Crimes of the Future (2022)
Another FHR inspo of mine Iâve mentioned briefly. Sci-fi, body horror film about a future in which the human body is quickly evolving beyond what we know, physical pain no longer exists, and the government is desperately trying to maintain control over what the âstandardâ is by imposing restrictions to prevent further evolutions. Again, I pull from this because of the similar technological advances it shares with FHR, as well as having an interesting commentary on the policing of the body in the face of nature and adapting to your environment however âunnaturalâ that may seem.
Sniles so sneetly. Everyone go play Signalis please and thank you. Sci-fi and psychological horror game that is Very similar gameplay wise to classic Resident Evil games and just as fun in my opinion. I think it compliments FHR very well in terms of touching on themes of the Self with multiple characters being fractured across different versions of themselves and the selfishness of love. Surreal and nonlinear in a way I adore. Also I save this until the end because it shouldnât have to stand Solely on this fact, but Space Robot Lesbians.
The Southern Reach by Jeff Vandermeer
My favorite book series iâve read recently !!! Annihilation is a wonderful book but please please also give the same love to Authority and Acceptance as well because as a trilogy they make just such a wonderfully, gut-wrenching story about human connection and the impermanence of life and the Self⊠Vandermeer has such a great skill for crafting engaging and deep characters with complex relationships with each other. The series as a whole is also just a wonderful example of horror set in the american south that uses the beautifully diverse environment to its advantage and does not use tired and classist stereotypes as shortcuts for its horror.
Iâm attempting to keep these recommendations mostly secular since if I went into my favorite religious books this list would be twice as long but Matrix is the one exception for me since itâs a historical fiction. A story that follows Marie de France, a poet and noble whoâs exiled to a dying, destitute abbey in 12th century England. At the core of the book is a very gritty and ephemeral kind of spirituality that develops as Marie ages and highlights womenâs often undercut place and contributions to discussions of western religion and spirituality. Read if you like a main character with an unreciprocated, lesbian crush on the queen of France, girls who get ecstatic visions, and prose that drags you by the hair at times.
The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow
This is a short story I read last year that I really enjoyed. Fantasy setting with a second person POV narration that works very well for the story. Itâs definitely short enough to read in one sitting but it is one of those stories that is like an Inspiration Shot to me. A Creative Springboard if you will đââïž
Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli
Easily my favorite graphic novel Of All Time i think. Absolutely gorgeous art style Iâm including pictures so you can see because Guh!!! I love it a lot. Itâs a really tangible exploration on the messiness of personhood imo and how two vastly different people can still find a common ground and love for each other despite how they interact with the world. I first read it in a comic class in college and was so surprised when a majority of the people on the class did Not like the ending when it was one of my favorite parts. Itâs devastating in such a mundane and emotional way I wouldnât want it to end any other way. Recently started rereading it and it actually reminds me a LOT of Disco Elysium. Just really goodâŠ
Sorry. I legally have to put this here (Iâm not sorry, Succession rules). Personally I owe Succession SO MUCH in terms of aiding my writing process because both the script itself and the actors are just so so good at making some of the most Bizarre Sentences sound normal in conversation. I honestly used to dread writing dialogue until I started studying scenes from this show and how the characters talked and it helped me write conversations that felt a bit more believable to my brain lol. Besides that Succession is just such a shitshow of awful and entertaining characters. Also everyone needs to experience Kendall Roy. EveryoneâŠ
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James
A book I actually need to come back to this year because it is Quite Dense in its world building and pace but it is SUCH a refreshing breath of air if youâre bored of the typical Fantasy Europe settings. Itâs a fantasy set in a pre-colonial mythic Africa and to make an easy, if generalized, comparison the world building and plot are on par with Lord of The Rings. Do look into the trigger warnings on this though if it sounds interesting to you. It does get pretty dark and graphic in its brutality at times and does not shy away from making you watch along as they happen.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Ah my beautiful wife Resident Evil 7 Biohazard⊠this was my first true introduction to Resident Evil (because no watching minecraft resident evil mod review videos in like 2012 does Not count). And honestly it kind of spoiled me for the rest of the series because goddd it is just such a good story and game (hasnât even played it because iâm too scared). The horror of it is just so damn effective it keeps you on your toes until the end. I love Ethan and Mia Winters as characters so much they are such a great doomed couple that make me pace in circles. Also please watch/play this game so you can experience Jack Baker as an antagonist because he is literally my favorite horror antagonist, heâs just SO Fun (and also later devastating but thatâs later okay)
