In our latest video essay collaboration with Ringer contributor Adam Nayman, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Friday the 13th by studying the history of movie monsters. From Godzilla to A Quiet Place, there is a deep cinematic tradition of representing societal anxieties as villains and monsters. In this piece, Adam examines a selection of iconic cinematic monsters and their deeper meaning.

Adam Nayman

Adam Nayman is a film critic, teacher, and author based in Toronto; his book ‘The Coen Brothers: This Book Really Ties the Films Together’ is available now from Abrams.