The horror genre has long been criticized for its portrayal of disability. From classic monsters to more recent films, the industry continues to perpetuate ableist stereotypes that can be both hurtful and exclusionary.
Physical beauty is often conflated with moral goodness in film, while villains have historically been associated with disability or disfigurement. This notion suggests that suffering leads to a decline in morality, rendering individuals into scheming supervillains who seek to inflict pain on others out of malice and spite. The use of prosthetics and physical deformity as a shorthand for evil is not only tired but also dehumanizing.
Recent films have attempted to subvert this trope, featuring protagonists with disabilities without relying on ableist stereotypes. Bring Her Back, for instance, stars Sora Wong, who has limited vision, bringing depth and richness to her character. However, despite these efforts, the film industry remains underrepresented by people with disabilities, making up only 2% of the workforce.
The solution lies in increasing representation behind the camera – more disabled writers, directors, actors, and creatives telling their own stories to bring a diverse, authentic perspective to the screen. As Saou Ichikawa's novel Hunchback notes, "the 'criminalisation of the gaze' that took hold around the dawn of the 20th century had led to the decline of the freak show." It is time for a new era of inclusivity in film and publishing.
Until then, audiences like Kathryn Bromwich are left watching themselves on screen only through others' eyes, perpetuating outdated stereotypes. The notion that disabled people must be defined by their disability or used as shorthand for evil is not only inaccurate but also damaging. It's time to challenge these norms and create a more inclusive entertainment industry where everyone can see themselves represented.
Physical beauty is often conflated with moral goodness in film, while villains have historically been associated with disability or disfigurement. This notion suggests that suffering leads to a decline in morality, rendering individuals into scheming supervillains who seek to inflict pain on others out of malice and spite. The use of prosthetics and physical deformity as a shorthand for evil is not only tired but also dehumanizing.
Recent films have attempted to subvert this trope, featuring protagonists with disabilities without relying on ableist stereotypes. Bring Her Back, for instance, stars Sora Wong, who has limited vision, bringing depth and richness to her character. However, despite these efforts, the film industry remains underrepresented by people with disabilities, making up only 2% of the workforce.
The solution lies in increasing representation behind the camera – more disabled writers, directors, actors, and creatives telling their own stories to bring a diverse, authentic perspective to the screen. As Saou Ichikawa's novel Hunchback notes, "the 'criminalisation of the gaze' that took hold around the dawn of the 20th century had led to the decline of the freak show." It is time for a new era of inclusivity in film and publishing.
Until then, audiences like Kathryn Bromwich are left watching themselves on screen only through others' eyes, perpetuating outdated stereotypes. The notion that disabled people must be defined by their disability or used as shorthand for evil is not only inaccurate but also damaging. It's time to challenge these norms and create a more inclusive entertainment industry where everyone can see themselves represented.
like, what even is that supposed to be saying about people with disabilities ? can't we just see a character with a prosthetic or something and still be all cool & heroic without being defined by their disability ? i'm so sick of the stigma around this stuff 
it's time for some REAL change 
! I mean, come on, we're living in 2025 and people with disabilities are still being typecast as evil villains 
like, that's not how life works 
. We need more films like Bring Her Back 
where the protagonist is a complex, multidimensional character who happens to have a disability 
. And can we talk about representation behind the camera for a second? 
we need more disabled writers, directors, actors, and creatives telling their own stories so we get authentic perspectives on screen 
. It's time to challenge these outdated norms and create a more inclusive entertainment industry where EVERYONE can see themselves represented 
. It's like they're not listening to our stories or our experiences.
. We need to challenge these old norms and create a new era of inclusivity in film and publishing. That would be amazing 
I'm still thinking about those old horror movies with the creepy villain who always had some gnarly prosthetic attached to their face... it was just so overdone! 
And don't even get me started on the whole "disability equals evil" thing. It's like, I get that we want our heroes to be strong and stuff, but come on, can't they just be complex and multi-dimensional without relying on old ableist stereotypes? 
It's like, we need more diverse voices telling our own stories so we can get some real representation on screen.
can you imagine if they did that with mental health or weight issues? anyway, i think the solution is pretty obvious - more people with disabilities behind the camera telling their own stories 
its time for an inclusive entertainment industry where everyone can see themselves represented 
Its kinda messed up! We need more stories with people who are on the spectrum or have disabilities as main characters. Like if a person in a wheelchair is also super smart and resourceful. Not just a one dimensional villain. 
. We need more diverse voices behind the camera, writing and directing their own stories about disability, instead of relying on tokenistic portrayals 
. It's time for a change, but until then, I'll just be over here watching myself get misrepresented all over again 
. We need more disabled writers, directors, actors, and creatives telling their own stories so we can finally see authentic perspectives on screen. And let's be real, prosthetics don't equal evil 
It's time to bring in more disabled creators who can tell their own stories and show us that disability doesn't equal villainy. Let's challenge these norms and get a more inclusive industry, you know? 
. I mean, who gets to define what makes someone 'good' or 'evil'? 
. Disabled writers, directors, actors - let's see more of YOU on screen and creating content that showcases your talents 
), and until we change that, our perspectives are gonna be stuck in the past 
!
. It's like Saou Ichikawa said, "the 'criminalisation of the gaze' that took hold around the dawn of the 20th century had led to the decline of the freak show". We need a new era of inclusivity and representation in the entertainment industry 
