Our story so far
History
Started in October 2023 after seeing “The Menu”, Brett and Craig decided to see more horror movies and meet more horror fans. The group had its first member attend “The Exorcist”, where they met Brett for the first time dressed in a Halloween costume! The group has grown since then with the introduction of the Book Club and a Hangouts group in 2025.
Behind the screams
Meet the organisers
Founder and Organiser
Brett
I am the founder of the Canberra Horror Groups and consider myself a horror aficionado.
I’ve always been drawn to the spooky, but my love of horror really took hold during my teenage years. I’d regularly head to the video store and come home with a stack of VHS weekly rentals from the horror section. I was also devouring everything I could find by Stephen King and just about every other horror author whose books I could get my hands on.
These days, I’ll happily watch almost any horror film, but I generally enjoy folk horror most of all. I’m also a sucker for movies featuring demons and the supernatural, especially when they explore mythology and folklore. While I enjoy stories about the occult, I tend to prefer films that don’t rely on a single religious worldview as the only answer to evil. One of the things I love most about horror is how endlessly creative it can be.
If I had to pick a handful of films that best represent my taste, they’d include Midsommar, Martyrs, Jason X, Creepshow and, most recently, Obsession—but I really can’t limit myself to just five. At the same time, I have a huge appreciation for the classics. You’ll never have to convince me to revisit Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, or the many other icons that helped shape the genre.
When I’m not watching horror or reading creepy books, you’ll usually find me outdoors bushwalking, riding my bike, tackling escape rooms, geocaching, or simply spending time with friends.
I believe that horror is best enjoyed as a shared experience, whether that’s sitting in a dark cinema, discussing a shocking ending over dinner, or laughing together at an outrageously over-the-top slasher sequel. One quote has always captured why horror means so much to me:
“Horror, more than any other, is a genre of empathy.”
— Anna Bogutskaya, Feeding the Monster: Why Horror Has a Hold on Us
I couldn’t agree more, and that’s why I founded the Meetup group. I believe that horror fans love horror because they are empathetic and genuinely care about the fate of the final girl. Horror explores all kinds of emotions, such as fear, grief, love, hope and resilience. Horror is the best genre to hold up a mirror to society and show us our own humanity in ways no other genre can.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you at one of our events.
Co-organiser
Craig
I am a co-organiser of the Canberra Horror Groups, lead Canberra Horror Hang Outs and help Brett host events for the Movie Group and Book Club.
Unlike many horror fans, I didn’t grow up loving the genre. In fact, I found horror far too scary and generally avoided it. That began to change in 2015 when Brett and I bonded over our mutual appreciation for “so bad they’re good” movies, many of which happened to be horror-themed. Films such as Sharknado, with their absurd premises and gloriously bad acting, gave me a fun and less intimidating way into the genre.
From there, I slowly worked my way towards increasingly scary films and, somewhere along the way, became a genuine horror fan. That doesn’t mean I’ve become completely fearless (I can still be found hiding in my jumper when things get particularly tense).
I’ll give almost any kind of horror a chance, but ghost stories are generally my favourite. For me, the best horror films have a genuinely good story at their heart, with the horror supporting the characters and their growth. I want characters who feel like real people rather than stereotypes, people I can care about and genuinely hope will survive. Gore can be effective when it serves the story, but gore simply for its own sake usually isn’t for me.
A few films that represent my taste are Companion, Evil Dead Rise, Obsession, The Descent and The Autopsy of Jane Doe. They are very different films, but each shows something I enjoy about the variety and creativity of horror.
What I love most about Canberra Horror Groups is meeting new people, making friends and sharing the experience with others. Whether we’re watching a film, tackling an escape room, playing games, answering trivia questions or simply catching up over a meal, I’m happy whenever everyone is having fun.
If you’re nervous about attending your first event, please know that you’re entering a safe and supportive space where you can enjoy horror in whatever way feels right for you. You don’t need to be a horror expert, and it’s perfectly acceptable to hide in your jumper during the scary bits. I’ll probably be hiding too!