A new exhibition curated by a University of Birmingham academic has recreated a young horror enthusiast’s bedroom, exploring the influence of the genre.
The Fear in the Bedroom exhibition recreates a nostalgic bedroom of a young horror enthusiast. Credit: Dr Catherine Lester, University of Birmingham
A new exhibition curated by a University of Birmingham academic has recreated a young horror enthusiast’s bedroom, exploring and discussing the influence of the genre.
Fear in the Bedroom is presented by the Youth & Horror Research Network, in conjunction with Flatpack Festival, and is on display at Birmingham City University’s Parkside Gallery from Tuesday 6th May – Saturday 17th May.
The recreation of a young horror fan’s bedroom from yesteryear includes an archive of films, television, books, magazines, posters, music, and video games from 1970-2000. It brings together a collection of everyday ephemera, film and television footage and collectors' items from these periods, gathered from a nationwide network of experts and enthusiasts.
By bringing together an assembled archive collection of horror-themed products aimed at children, this exhibition takes viewers through the history of children, youth, and horror media.
Curated by Youth & Horror Research Network, led by Dr Catherine Lester, Associate Professor in Film and Television at the University of Birmingham, and Dr Kate Egan, Assistant Professor in Film and Media at the University of Northumbria, the exhibition examines how horror has shaped young people’s understanding of the world, whilst challenging the notion of the genre’s harmful influence.
Dr Catherine Lester said: “By bringing together an assembled archive collection of horror-themed products aimed at children, this exhibition takes viewers through the history of children, youth, and horror media. It’s engaging visitors in the multifaceted world of everyday horror through the eyes of a child and challenges preconceived notions that people might have about the influence the genre can have on young people.
“We want people to consider the relationship between innocence, play and horror that these exhibits encompass, for visitors to bathe nostalgically in their own memories and to introduce a new generation to horror toys, books and games of the past.”
is exhibition is not so much envisaged as a snapshot of a bedroom at a given moment in a given year, but rather as a time-capsule of children’s horror media.
Dr Egan added: “Despite ongoing debates about children’s access to horror, the early 1970s to the late 1990s was a period of plenty for the young horror fan. This exhibition is not so much envisaged as a snapshot of a bedroom at a given moment in a given year, but rather as a time-capsule of children’s horror media.”
The exhibition is coinciding with Flatpack Festival, an international film festival based in Birmingham, which runs across the city from 9-17 May 2025.
Sam Groves, Head of Programme at Flatpack Festival said: “We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with BCU, University of Birmingham and Northumbria University to present Fear in the Bedroom.
“The exhibition will feature special items on loan from horror aficionados' archives, archive footage examining the impact of horror films over the past few decades, and personal recollections of the BBC's renowned horror program, Ghostwatch."
Associate Professor in Film and Television
Biographical and contact information for Dr Catherine Lester, Associate Professor in Film and Television at the University of Birmingham.
