Gothic Film Season
Tuesday 28 April – Sunday 17 May 2026
Join us for a season celebrating the Gothic genre, with screenings of classic and contemporary films.
Gothic Film Talks
To book both talks at a discounted price, click on the booking link for Gothic Talk 1 and select the £8 ticket for ‘Gothic Talks – 1 & 2’
Talks can also be booked individually
Gothic Talk 1: Origins and Themes
Presented by Depot Chair of Trustees, Robert Senior
Tuesday 28 April, 19:15
An introductory talk on the origins, themes and history of Gothic on screen, followed by a screening of Albert Lewin’s powerful version of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) with George Sanders on terrific form (film and talk booked separately).
Gothic Talk 2: History of Gothic on Film
Presented by Depot Chair of Trustees, Robert Senior
Monday 4 May, 19:15
This session takes a closer look at the development of the Gothic genre across film history. It is followed by a screening of James Watkins’ 2012 adaptation of The Woman in Black, based on the novel by Susan Hill and starring Daniel Radcliffe (booked separately).
Over the years gothic films shifted from haunted castles and satanic churches to old dark houses and the female gothic films of the 1940s. Harsh chiaroscuro lighting gave way to lurid technicolour and the eroticism hinted at in earlier films came strongly to the fore.
Depot’s Gothic Film season runs through May and includes an introductory talk on the origins, themes and history of Gothic on screen, followed by a screening of Albert Lewin’s powerful version of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) with George Sanders on terrific form. The season also includes two double bills. Bride of Frankenstein (James Whale, 1935) is in many ways superior to the original, with the added bonus of a youthful Elsa Lanchester, accompanied by the famous 1931 version of Dracula (Tod Browning) featuring a score by Philip Glass and Bela Legosi’s definitive interpretation.
Our second double bill features Roger Corman’s stunning colour version of The Masque of the Red Death (1962) along with Hammer’s erotic version of Sheridan le Fanu’s Carmilla, The Vampire Lovers (Roy Ward Baker, 1970) with Ingrid Pitt and Madeline Smith .
Tim Burton was also strongly influenced by gothic themes and we will screen his excellent Sleepy Hollow (1999) with a crazed Chris Walken. Completing the season are Robert Wise’s stunning adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting (1963) and the wonderfully scary version of Susan Hill’s gothic masterpiece The Woman in Black (2012).
– Robert Senior, Depot Chair of Trustees and season curator