Monstrous gifts: Horror and disability in The Advent Calendar

Representations of disability in contemporary horror films build on an uneasy legacy. Throughout horror history, filmmakers have used disability as a source of inspiration when creating monsters, villains and evildoers. In the twenty-first century, views on disability are changing and audience expectations are shifting. This article examines The Advent Calendar (2021), a film released at a transitional moment, balanced between embracing new visions of disability in horror and falling back into well-worn stereotypes. I argue that the film illustrates both progressive and conservative impulses towards disability representation in horror, providing a fascinating case study of how popular culture can both reflect and respond to emerging social dialogues.