Emily C. Hughes thinks horror is for everyone, even if you scare easy.
Person of Interest 004
Welcome to Persons of Interest— a series in which I dive into good taste by asking the most compelling people I can find what they’re interested in and obsessed with.
I discovered Emily C. Hughes a few months ago when a friend of a friend shared a review of Longlegs in a series called The Weenie Report. I’ve been horror curious for a long time and I’ve managed to jump right into it with books, but I’m still wading in when it comes to film. I wanted to want to watch Longlegs, and many horror movies, but the truth is, when it comes to horror in a visual medium I am a wimp. Thankfully, Emily Hughes makes horror accessible to wimps like me through her series The Weenie Report and her new book Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch.
In preparation to run this POI I read Horror for Weenies and it was incredibly well written. I’d been in a bit of a reading slump and this is the book that got me out of it. I texted my husband over and over again about all the horror movies I’d missed out because I was too scared to go see them. The best thing I learned: Max von Sydow, a favorite actor of mine, was the priest in The Excorcist. I also particularly enjoyed reading about the budget breakdown of The Blair Witch Project. If you are a fan of horror as a genre, or you’re just curious about some of the scary movies you may have missed, I think you’ll love this. Hughes is also hilarious in her delivery, and brilliant in everything she pieces together for you.
I am thrilled to welcome her as today’s Person of Interest.
How do you define cool?
If my cat likes you, you’re cool. If you like my cat, you’re cool. If you don’t like my cat and my cat doesn’t like you? Oh, buddy.
What’s a horror movie you think everyone should watch?
If you’re new to horror, or a weenie, older horror is a great place to start. It’s not that vintage horror movies can’t be disturbing or upsetting, but the markers that make something “scary” have changed pretty drastically over time, so you’re less likely to find yourself on the ceiling after a jump scare or ultra-realistic dismembering. Psycho and Rosemary’s Baby are both near-perfect films that won’t mess you up too badly. If you’re feeling a little braver, I’d probably say Get Out. If you’re very brave, try When Evil Lurks, one of the best and most brutal movies I’ve ever seen.
What’s a book you recommend to everyone?
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins – it’s easily my most-recommended book ever. It’s a genre-defying blend of fantasy, horror, thriller, and something else entirely. Pretty much to a person, everyone I’ve recommended it to has come back and said something like “That was amazing, are there any more books like that out there?” Unfortunately, the answer is not really, so read this one.
What’s something that you feel doesn’t get enough hype?
Reading the room, knowing your audience, drawing boundaries. Keeping your mess to the group chat instead of posting through it is literally never a bad idea. If you don’t have a group chat, get a diary.
What’s the best thing you’ve purchased in the past three months?
This dress from Manners London - it’s so flattering and versatile, plus it’s made from this luxuriously thick, stretchy cotton jersey that’s so supportive I don’t even have to worry about wearing a bra with it.
Tell me a story you find yourself telling and retelling over and over again whenever you find a new audience?
I once went through a pretty devastating breakup in the middle of Katz’s Deli (you know – “I’ll have what she’s having”) on a Friday night. Katz’s is one of those places where they give you a ticket when you walk in, you order whatever you want, eat, and then pay on the way out, so when I tried to storm out in tears over my ex’s refusal to prioritize our relationship, the bouncer stopped me, and my ex had to wave the ticket and tell them he’d pay for me. Everyone stared. Utterly humiliating in the moment, but even that night I knew it was gonna make a great story.
Name a couple of things you’re obsessed with.
The fermented white pepper from Burlap & Barrel, which adds an appealing savory funkiness to any dish (I particularly like it on eggs and pizza). Chappell Roan and Charli XCX, obviously, but also Remi Wolf and Doechii and Khruangbin. Strength training. Ceramics (both making and buying). My flower garden, specifically interesting varieties of morning glory and nasturtium. This Wild Herb Tonic candle – I’m very picky about candles but this one is the perfect balance of irresistible scent and normal person price point. The John Derian for Target Halloween collection. Tattoos. The bracelets my BFF bought me as a publication present – they read WEENIES FOREVER.
What do you find irresistible (in trends, people, obsessions, purchases)?
Botanical and celestial motifs. Super-saturated cobalt blue or emerald green. Jewel tones and a bold print. A sharp sense of humor. Nice hands. Eye contact. I’ve also never met a crop top I didn’t like.
What are you a big fan of right now?
We’re currently smack in the middle of the two week period every fall up here in Massachusetts where the optimal outfit is a sweatshirt and jean shorts, and it’s my absolute favorite so I’m taking full advantage.
What makes something interesting to you?
Novelty, I think. Does it show me something new, or a new way of thinking about something old? Is it something I haven’t seen before? Is it a reinvention or subversion? You have my attention.
How do you know when your interest in something has passed the threshold and has become a part of your personality?
I’m afflicted by a pernicious condition where, if someone asks me to recommend a book or movie or whatever, I suddenly can’t conjure up the name of any book or movie I’ve ever even heard of, let alone loved. So I know something’s really locked into my consciousness if I can recommend it to someone without looking up the name on my phone first.
What’s something you’re newly interested in?
We inherited a food dehydrator from a friend who was moving, and have you heard the good news about homemade beef jerky?!
What’s your longest running interest?
Plants and animals. I grew up on those Eyewitness books – educational books full of interesting photos and facts on various topics – and that fascination with the natural world has never really left me. I have some frogs living in my garden right now and every single time I see one, I’m fascinated anew.
What’s something you’ll always be a fan of?
Choosing the kindest response possible whenever you can. Everything is so hard right now, and everyone is on edge. Don’t take shit from people unnecessarily, but still – extending as much grace as you can is a gift to yourself and to others.
What’s something that’s overhyped?
Generative AI. Keep that shit far away from me. I can’t wait for that particular bubble to burst.
What’s one trend you wish would be over?
The unholy resurrection of Y2K fashion and beauty trends as a whole is a huge no for me – I did it the first time around and once was enough, thanks. But specifically those horrible little no-support ballet flats, the ones that always stank to high heaven the second you took them off – I’m 37 and my arches are simply too high for that nonsense. You can pry my AF1s from my cold dead hands.
You can find Emily C. Hughes writing about horror on her website Jump Scares, you can follow her on Instagram, and you can buy her book Horror for Weenies.
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As a weenie/someone with the nervous system of a baby bunny, I loved this! Maybe it's time to revisit Psycho. MAYBE.