A Haunted Hotel & Loneliness Through A Child’s Eyes: Finding Depth in the Children’s Horror Subgenre

Date

4-29-2026

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

Chair

Durrell Nelson

Keywords

creative writing, children’s horror, children’s film, children’s fantasy horror

Disciplines

Creative Writing

Abstract

This project seeks to explore the nuances and the greater potential of the children’s horror subgenre, whilst also situating the original screenplay Sally and the Hotel Cassius within it. Although the children’s film subcategory and the horror genre are a less common and sometimes controversial pairing, it certainly has its place amidst the film industry. Exploring deeper and more nuanced topics through children’s films can be a unique and empowering process to both children and adults alike. Sally and the Hotel Cassius is a children’s fantasy horror film about three children who embark on a journey through a haunted hotel in order to escape before they become trapped there forever. This paper seeks to situate this story within the hybrid subgenre of children’s horror, analyze seminal texts surrounding it, and show how it draws from and extends both artistic and scholarly traditions. It will directly tackle the topics of genre theory, thematic concerns, and primary creative influences. By engaging in the subgenre’s core elements, Sally and the Hotel Cassius provides a meaningful contribution within the extraordinary world of children’s horror—offering depth of thematic exploration, meaningful impact, and inspiration for its viewers.

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