Monster Culture: A Cinematic Analysis of the Children's Film 'Hotel Transylvania'

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated that monsters have been embedded in adult and children’s literature over a long period of time, morphing to represent the current time period. Monsters can be used to gain insight on a culture as they have the ability to simultaneously represent the cultural differences, fears, anxieties and desires of a particular society. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the cultural crises represented in the children’s film ‘Hotel Transylvania’. This study has been guided through Cohen’s (1996) ‘Seven Theses of Monster Culture’ which influenced the data analysis process. This study has been situated in the qualitative framework, which included elements of bricolage, which is a “…combination of multiple forms of analysis…” (Kvale, 2007, p.104), within a reflective and recursive design. Data collection was conducted through a cinematic analysis using a three level coding process, autoethnography and subjective response. The findings of this research project outlined the cultural crises that emerged within the analysis. These include gender identity, parental fears, generational difference and racism. Recommendations for future research have also been outlined.