Children’s Horror Films Were Scary! A Look Back on Movies That Made Us Shiver.

Image Credit – IMDb

Halloween season is upon us, and with it comes arguably one of the best film genres: horror. 

Today, I’m being nostalgic and looking back at some of the spooky films I watched as a child while trying to answer the question: why did I find them so terrifying?

Coraline 

Having recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, Coraline has a cemented position in society as one of the creepiest children’s films. It was sure to leave children scared to find their parents with buttons for eyes, wanting to steal their souls. But why is this stop motion picture film seen as scary? When the other mother transforms into The Beldam, she may be seen as scary due to her likeness to spiders, a typically scary creature that children and adults alike run from. But the main creepy part of the story was that the two worlds were interconnected. Simply leaving the tunnel didn’t make the other mother go away: she still existed and was able to manipulate the real world. The lack of a safe place for Coraline is what becomes unsettling for audiences, especially as the other mother’s powers are shown later in the movie via the kidnapping of her parents from the real world. 

Monster House

While marketed as a children’s movie, many parents didn’t want their children to watch Monster House due to its creepy themes. The depiction of the house as alive with windows for eyes, and its door opening like a mouth with a red carpet as a tongue gives this movie its unnerving feel that caused children to be afraid of old houses for years to come! Many adults who were once scared of this movie now lean more into its comedy aspects, which arguably were put into the film so it could be marketed to children.

Image Credit – IMDb

Scooby Doo

The fundamental idea of Scooby Doo in the past was that the monsters were never real.  There’s always a human behind the mask. This real-world idea made the franchise palatable for children. But the Scooby Doo live-action movies turned this completely on its head. In the 2002 movie, the gang go to Spooky Island, where alien-like creatures try to take over the bodies of the people at the resort, including the Scooby gang. While the movie tries to play a comedic spin on this with lots of gruesome jokes, it’s a far cry from the usual comedic relief provided in its animated counterparts. This idea is carried over in ‘Monsters Unleashed’, where the creature versions of the group’s previously caught villains come to life and wreak havoc on the city.  

Image Credit – IMDb

The Witches (1990)

While this live-action movie can be seen as comedic to children due to the turning of the boys into rats, the opening sequence of the movie is nerve-wracking. The idea that an evil witch could be anywhere and want to steal you made a young me scared of talking to strangers or being alone. This isn’t even close to the fear you felt when Anjelica Huston, the grand high witch, peeled back her face and transformed into arguably one of the most terrifying creatures a young child could imagine. While the movie has controversial undertones of antisemitism taken from the book in terms of the witches’ appearance, it must be admitted the 1990s movie gave children and adults alike nightmares.

Image Credit – IMDb

Overall, a large part of what makes the films on this list terrifying is the fact that antagonists are made-up creatures and not real people. Explaining the idea that these creatures aren’t real to children becomes harder as you have no real proof. This could be why you were afraid of these films as a child. 

These are only a few of the amazing children’s movies you could delve into this Halloween season, or that you remember from your childhood, and while they may not be as scary to you now, I think we can all remember one movie from when you were younger sent a shiver down your spine.

Words by Katy Whelan

Game-Changing Innovations: The Latest in Sustainable Technologies, Renewable Energy, and the Battle Against Climate Change (June–October 2024)

Over the past few months, significant advancements in sustainable technologies have emerged, as industries and governments intensify their efforts to combat climate change. Innovations in renewable energy generation, storage, carbon capture, and the circular economy are moving at a rapid pace, signalling hope in the fight against global warming. Let’s explore some of the most notable developments from June to October 2024, and their potential to reshape global responses to the climate emergency…

Solar Energy: Greater Efficiency and New Solutions

Solar energy continues to lead the renewable energy charge with groundbreaking innovations. In September, European researchers announced a new world record for solar efficiency: 33.7% in tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells. This leap integrates perovskite layers with silicon to capture more sunlight, resulting in higher energy output. These advanced cells could significantly lower solar energy costs, accelerating the transition to renewable power sources globally.

Moreover, solar energy storage is evolving rapidly. In Spain, a project utilising molten salts for thermal energy storage is in development. These salts can store excess solar energy produced during daylight hours, before releasing it at night. Such technology promises to overcome one of the major challenges facing solar power—its reliance on sunlight—and could make solar a 24/7 energy source, enhancing its reliability for large-scale deployment.

Gemasolar Power Plant, Spain, which uses molten salts for thermal energy storage.
Image Credit: Stocksy

Wind Energy: Offshore Expansion and Innovative Designs

As for wind energy, the sector is making significant strides, particularly in offshore projects. In July, Norway inaugurated the world’s largest floating wind farm, which generates 2 gigawatts of power, enough to supply over 1 million homes. Floating wind turbines are a significant development since they can be deployed in deeper waters where winds are stronger and more consistent. This advancement opens new possibilities for wind energy in countries with deep coastal waters, such as Japan and the United States, which are currently limited by conventional offshore wind technology.

Onshore wind technology is also evolving. Spain is testing a bladeless wind turbine design that uses oscillating rods to generate electricity. This turbine operates without the visual and noise pollution associated with traditional turbines, potentially expanding wind energy in urban or densely populated areas where conventional turbines face resistance.

Wind turbines in Spain trialling bladeless designs.
Image Credit: Energy Magazine

Battery Technology: Pioneering Long-Term Energy Storage

Energy storage remains a key challenge for renewable energy, but several promising breakthroughs have emerged. For instance, Iron-air batteries, showcased in August 2024 by U.S. company Form Energy, are generating excitement due to their ability to store energy for days rather than hours. This breakthrough makes iron-air batteries a game-changer for renewable energy systems, enabling more stable energy grids even during periods of low sunlight or wind.

Form Energy’s iron-air batteries.
The basic principle of operation is reversible rusting.
While discharging, the battery breathes in oxygen from the air and converts iron metal to rust.
While charging, the application of an electrical current converts the rust back to iron and the battery breathes out oxygen.
Image Credit: Form Energy

At the same time, solid-state batteries are nearing commercial viability, particularly for electric vehicles. In September, Toyota revealed its prototype solid-state battery, which offers faster charging, longer range, and improved safety compared to lithium-ion batteries. This technology is expected to be integrated into Toyota’s next-generation EVs by 2025 and could significantly boost the adoption of EVs, which are crucial for reducing emissions in the transport sector.

Green Hydrogen: A Clean Energy Frontier

Green hydrogen is rapidly gaining momentum as a clean fuel for industries that are difficult to electrify, such as shipping, aviation, and heavy manufacturing. In July, the European Union launched the Hydrogen Valley initiative, which aims to establish over 100 hydrogen hubs by 2030. These hubs will become centres for hydrogen production, storage, and distribution, thus accelerating the adoption of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source across Europe.

In Australia, the construction of the world’s largest green hydrogen production facility began in August. Set in Western Australia, the facility aims to produce 10 gigawatts of hydrogen annually by 2030, providing clean energy for both domestic use and export. The rise of green hydrogen projects similar to this is expected to drive down costs, providing a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Circular Economy and Sustainable Materials: Reducing Waste

Advancements in the circular economy are driving significant progress in reducing waste and improving resource efficiency. In September, a consortium of leading electronics manufacturers launched the “Right to Repair” initiative, which aims to extend the life of consumer electronics and reduce electronic waste. This initiative is particularly important for addressing the environmental impact of e-waste, which contributes millions of tons of global waste each year.

At the same time, sustainable materials are seeing a push forward. In August, a new biodegradable plastic alternative made from seaweed and shrimp shells was introduced to the market. This material, which decomposes in a few weeks, could be a major step toward addressing the global plastic pollution crisis. If widely adopted, it could significantly reduce the amount of single-use plastic waste in oceans and landfills.

A new biodegradable plastic alternative using shrimp shells.
Image Credit: HuffPost UK

Conclusion: Progress with Challenges Ahead

The recent months have witnessed significant advancements in sustainable technologies, from improved solar and wind systems to breakthroughs in battery storage and green hydrogen. These developments provide hope for tackling climate change, but scaling these technologies and ensuring global adoption will be critical. Investment, policy alignment, and international cooperation will be key in determining their long-term impact on global emissions.

As the world continues to innovate and push the boundaries of renewable energy and sustainability, recent breakthroughs suggest that the path to a low-carbon future is increasingly within reach. The next decade will be crucial in determining how these innovations can help mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and transform global energy systems for good.