Best Horror Movies: ‘M3GAN’ Writer Akela Cooper on How Seeing Stan Winston’s ‘Pumpkinhead’ Became a ‘Crucial Core Memory’

As a cinephile with a deep-rooted love for monsters that can be traced back to a fateful day in 1988 when I watched “Pumpkinhead” at the tender age of eight, I can confidently say that this film holds a special place in my heart and has significantly shaped me as a horror writer.


In the year 1988, renowned special effects artist Stan Winston stepped into the director’s chair for the first time with a movie based on a Gothic poem, working within a modest budget. The resulting production was none other than “Pumpkinhead.

The horror movie “Pumpkinhead” was only shown in a select number of cinemas. Remarkably, one of those theaters was situated close to where I lived in southeastern Missouri. After watching the film, my parents raved about it, which sparked my older brother’s curiosity. Being around 13 years old then, he expressed his desire to watch it. At age eight, I can’t say for sure whether it was my parents’ positive feedback or the family outing that appealed to me, but I too wanted to see “Pumpkinhead”. My wish to watch it was initially denied by my parents. However, on the day they took my brother to the movie, my sadness at being left out moved my mother so much she reconsidered and agreed to take me as well.

The film “Inside Out” introduced the idea of a “foundational memory,” an encounter so profound that not only does it remain etched in your mind but also contributes significantly to shaping who you become as a person. Watching “Pumpkinhead” was a formative foundational memory for me. It sparked my fascination with monsters. I have a soft spot for creative monster designs, and I must admit, I likely watched this movie at an inappropriately young age. Nonetheless, there’s no denying that “Pumpkinhead” played a crucial role in molding me into the horror writer I am today.

Akela Cooper is the writer of “M3GAN” and “Malignant.”

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2024-10-09 23:16