Welcome to Script Insights! Ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a playwright? In this series, you get a rare and exciting opportunity to hear directly from the authors themselves. Each article offers personal insights from the playwright, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, character motivations, and thematic explorations that bring their scripts to life.
Below, you’ll find a downloadable blog post offering valuable insights directly from the author of Inner Sanctum. The downloaded PDF also includes supplemental classroom activities to help you connect the play’s themes and characters with your students.
Be sure to download this resource by clicking the button above!
Teaching Cosmic Horror with Inner Sanctum
Jason Sebacher
Cosmic horror, also known as Lovecraftian horror, is a genre that explores humanity’s insignificance in a vast and indifferent universe. It rejects the personal fears and villains of traditional horror in favor of existential dread, asking unsettling questions: What if the universe doesn’t care about us? What if some truths are so vast that our minds can’t even comprehend them? Instead of relying on gore or jump scares, cosmic horror unsettles by dismantling the very foundations of reality. This genre, while rooted in the early 20th century, has grown to encompass modern anxieties, making it particularly relevant and engaging for high school students.
The genre’s roots trace back to H.P. Lovecraft (1890–1937), who pioneered stories of unknowable entities and mind-shattering revelations. In works like The Call of Cthulhu (1928) and At the Mountains of Madness (1936), Lovecraft introduced ancient, godlike beings indifferent to humanity. Over time, cosmic horror expanded beyond Lovecraft, with writers like Algernon Blackwood (1869–1951), whose story The Willows (1907) explored the eerie and incomprehensible forces of nature, and Caitlín R. Kiernan (b. 1964), who brought a contemporary voice to the genre with works like The Drowning Girl (2012). The genre also spread to other mediums, appearing in films such as John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982) and Alex Garland’s Annihilation (2018). In video games like Bloodborne (2015), cosmic horror takes on an interactive form, immersing players in mysterious and unsettling worlds. Today, cosmic horror continues to evolve, incorporating themes of technology, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality. These modern interpretations maintain the genre’s core focus on humanity’s fragility while addressing contemporary fears about the digital world.
Inner Sanctum is a powerful example of how cosmic horror can feel both timeless and immediate. The play introduces characters trapped in a video game that begins to take over their reality. Its depiction of losing oneself in a digital world reflects the cosmic horror theme of the unknowable, replacing eldritch dimensions with the mysterious landscapes of virtual reality. As the game tightens its grip, the characters lose control, mirroring the helplessness central to cosmic horror. The play also explores the erosion of individuality and the fragile boundaries of reality, a hallmark of the genre. By blending classic elements of existential dread with modern anxieties, Inner Sanctum invites students to confront the mysteries of identity, control, and reality itself.
Cosmic horror is an ideal genre for high school students because it taps into universal fears while encouraging critical thinking. The themes of the unknowable and the loss of control parallel the uncertainties students face as they navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world. The genre’s mysteries and challenges naturally engage students, offering opportunities for them to grapple with questions about individuality, autonomy, and their place in the universe. Inner Sanctum takes these timeless themes and connects them to the digital age, creating a compelling story that resonates with modern audiences. By introducing students to this play, educators can spark meaningful discussions while presenting a story that feels entertaining, relevant, and thought-provoking.
Teachers can also deepen students’ understanding of Inner Sanctum and cosmic horror through classroom activities. For a research-based approach, students could explore the history of cosmic horror, with groups investigating key figures like H.P. Lovecraft, the genre’s core themes, or its evolution in modern media. Each group could present their findings and discuss how the genre’s traditions are reflected in Inner Sanctum. A creative activity might involve students creating artwork inspired by the play, focusing on themes such as the unknowable or the erosion of reality. Brief captions explaining how their art connects to Inner Sanctum can reinforce their understanding while sparking discussions about the play’s themes.
Cosmic horror’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to provoke timeless questions about humanity’s place in the universe. In the digital age, those questions feel more pressing than ever, as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and social media blur the boundaries of our reality. Inner Sanctum leverages these modern anxieties to explore humanity’s response to losing control and certainty. By placing the play within the tradition of cosmic horror, teachers can introduce students to a genre that challenges them to think deeply while addressing fears that resonate today. Inner Sanctum bridges the gap between classic existential dread and modern technological unease, making it an essential and engaging addition to the classroom.