Horror flicks were convenient scapegoat for 80s conflict, says filmmaker

Niamh Algar (Ian West/PA)

Filmmaker Prano Bailey-Bond has said horror films were used as a “convenient scapegoat” to distract from the troubles affecting British society during the Thatcher era.

Video nasties, low-budget and violent horrors released directly onto video cassette prompted a moral panic in the 80s and the genre attracted criticism from parts of the press and various religious groups.