Capitalism, a Horror Story : Gothic Marxism and the Dark Side of the Radical Imagination

A history of capitalism and its connection to the haunted and the gothic, offering a manifesto of Gothic Marxism that finds revolutionary hope within the nightmare of modernity.Pioneering film critic and cultural theorist Jon Greenaway uncovers the dark side of the radical imagination. What does it mean to perceive horror within capitalism, and how can the horror genre illuminate the true nature of capitalist society?This book offers a groundbreaking analysis of Marxist theory through the lens of Gothic and horror culture, drawing on Romantic anti-capitalism from André Breton to Walter Benjamin, and spanning literature and film from the 19th century to today. From Frankenstein and Dracula to modern horror films like The Platform, Parasite, and The Witch, Greenaway provides one of the first full-length explorations of Gothic Marxism.Exploring themes like the socio-political function of the monstrous, the haunted nature of the digital world, and the inescapable terror of contemporary capitalism, Capitalism: A Horror Story argues that horror can become a revolutionary force. In this dark realm of monstrous becoming, Greenaway finds hope-a pathway to a Utopian future.Key Features:- A unique analysis of capitalism through Gothic and horror traditions- Insight into Romantic anti-capitalism and its influence on modern horror culture- Examination of classic and modern horror literature and films, from Frankenstein to Parasite- Explores the socio-political role of the monstrous and the haunted digital world- Introduces the concept of Gothic Marxism, finding revolutionary potential within horror