Bloodlines: The Evolution, Psychology, and Legacy of Gore in Horror Cinema

Back in August, Bloody Disgusting moderated the panel BLOODLINES: The Evolution, Psychology, and Legacy of Gore in Horror Cinema at Midsummer Scream 2026 in Long Beach, CA. Presented by Storm King Comics, the panel covered the latex-heavy ’80s to the slick effects of the 2000s to the raw brutality of Terrifier, pulling the thread on how gore isn’t just for shock but a tool of expression, rebellion, and empathy. Guests included Greg Nicotero, executive producer of The Walking Dead franchise; Nick Castle, film director; and Sandy King Carpenter, founder of Storm King Comics. Shelby Novak of Scare You to Sleep and Michael Roffman, Executive Director of Business Development at Bloody Disgusting moderated the panel, which was recorded and being presented to you today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.