{
  "id": 17061982,
  "title": "From AI to empty rooms: What scares us in modern horror?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/from-ai-to-empty-rooms-what-scares-us-in-modern-horror",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-29T12:20:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/podcasts/culture-bites/2026/10/29/from-ai-to-empty-rooms-what-scares-us-in-modern-horror/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews explore the evolution of the horror genre in this week's episode of Culture Bites. They discuss how modern horror films such as Get Out, Black Mirror and The Substance reflect contemporary societal fears, including racism, artificial intelligence and issues related to beauty standards. The hosts also examine regional filmmakers' exploration of local traditions and fears, as seen in the Emirati film Hoba.\n\nIn addition to these prominent subgenres, Backrooms, a film focused on empty, unsettling spaces, and Widow's Bay, a comedic-horror series, have gained popularity recently. The conversation then shifts to Abu Dhabi's modernist architecture from the 1970s and 1980s, and the government's efforts to preserve this architectural heritage. This includes iconic buildings like the Abu Dhabi bus station and Al Ibrahimi Tower. The hosts delve into the relationship between architecture and a city's identity, as well as how traditional Arabic design elements, such as the mashrabiya, continue to influence contemporary structures.",
  "summary": "This week on Culture Bites , Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews discuss how the horror genre has evolved to reflect society’s fears as they change over time. From Get Out and Black Mirror to The Substance , the hosts talk about how horror films tackle issues from racism and artificial intelligence to beauty insecurities. They also look at how regional filmmakers are drawing on local fears and…",
  "key_points": [
    "Modern horror films reflect racism, AI, beauty standards",
    "Backrooms film explores empty, unsettling spaces",
    "Abu Dhabi preserves 1970s-1980s modernist architecture"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}