The trend has roots in Anne Rice and silent films. But by making villains so hot, aren't we defanging the horror?

Humans need to name and see abstract horrors, so we "monsterize" people who embody those fears

Werewolves have never been as popular as vampires or zombies. They've also overwhelmingly been male

How our primate ancestors shaped our obsession with terrifying creatures

The new season of HBO's vampire soap opera begins with a fairies, witches -- and some big twists

The new season, campy as ever, strips vampires of their rights

Here's the full text of the paper I presented at the academic conference Blood, Text and Fears: Reading Around "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Ethan Hawke tries to save the human race, but the real hero of this stylish monster retread is nutty Willem Dafoe

Sex, cursing, fangs: Scenery isn't the only thing chomped in "True Blood's" deliriously over-the-top fifth season

Even Kate Beckinsale in a leather corset and Hugh Jackman's cast-bronze pecs can't save this lavishly cheap monster mush.

Strange as it sounds, a longstanding pop culture theory links vampires trending alongside economic uncertainty

Everyone shows a remarkable lack of judgment when it comes to their feelings during witches v. vamps

Bill gets bloodied, Franklin gets pummeled and a surprise marriage is on its way

In another action-packed episode, we also get the immortal line: "You mean the werewolves weren't really Nazis?"

The spirit of the Vampire Slayer lives on in the kickass young heroines of urban fantasy fiction