Explore Gothic Literature

Dracula by Bram Stoker

The Blood of the Vampire by Florence Marryat

Three Victorian Vampire Tales (collection)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (proto-Gothic)

Austi Classics explainer videos on Gothic literature

Gothic matters today

The Gothic remains relevant today because it provides a visual and emotional vocabulary for the "unspeakable" anxieties of modern life. While it originated in the 18th century with haunted castles and vampires, it has evolved into a lens through which we view everything from technological dread to societal inequality.

Why the Gothic is experienced a massive resurgence in 2025.

1. A Mirror for "Digital Dread"

In an era where we are more connected but trust our tools less, the Gothic has shifted from haunted houses to haunted technology.

The "Uncanny" Digital: AI, deepfakes, and surveillance create a sense of the uncanny—something that looks human but isn't quite right.

Data as the New Ghost: Modern Gothic stories often use digital footprints and "dead" social media profiles as the new ghosts that haunt our present, reflecting our anxiety about losing control of our privacy and identity.

2. Processing Societal & Political Unrest

The Gothic has always been a "subversive" genre. It thrives during times of transition and upheaval because it allows us to externalize our fears.

Post-Colonial Reclaiming: Works like Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic use traditional tropes (the decaying mansion, the cursed family) to critique the real-world horrors of colonialism and racial oppression.

Environmental Gothic: As we face climate change, "Eco-Gothic" literature explores the terror of a nature that is fighting back, turning the landscape itself into a vengeful antagonist.

3. The "Mainstreaming" of Goth Fashion

In 2025, Gothic aesthetics have moved from the "fringes" to the center of global fashion.

The "Wednesday" Effect: Massive hits like Netflix's Wednesday and films like Nosferatu (2024) have sparked a "Gothic Renaissance."

Sustainable Expression: The Goth subculture’s focus on DIY, layering, and "dark romance" (lace, corsets, velvets) aligns with Gen Z's rejection of "fast fashion" in favor of dramatic, individualistic, and timeless silhouettes.

Key Takeaway: The Gothic isn't about being "depressing"; it is a way to romanticize the struggle. It turns fear into beauty and isolation into a shared identity.

Comparison: Traditional vs. Modern Gothic

• Feature Traditional Gothic (18th-19th C.) Modern/Contemporary Gothic (2020s)
• Setting Crumbling Castles, Abbey Ruins Smart Homes, Corporate HQs, Digital Spaces
• The Monster Vampires, Ghosts, Werewolves Sentient AI, Corrupt Corporations, Social Media
• he Fear Religious Guilt, Ancient Curses Technological Overload, Climate Change, Identity Loss
• The Heroine The "Damsel in Distress" The Rebellious Outsider, The "Final Girl"

To dive into the Gothic today is to explore the "shadow side" of 2025. Filmmakers and authors are currently using classic monsters—vampires, ghosts, and mad scientists—to tell stories about very modern problems like corporate greed, digital isolation, and bodily autonomy.

Here are the best modern Gothic recommendations for 2025 across books, film, and TV.

Must-Read Modern Gothic Novels

Contemporary authors are moving away from European castles and bringing the Gothic to new, diverse settings.

"Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: A "high-society" debutante in 1950s Mexico travels to a remote mansion to save her cousin. It’s a masterclass in how colonialism and family secrets can rot a house from the inside out.

"Victorian Psycho" by Virginia Feito (2025): Imagine a gender-swapped, Victorian-era American Psycho. It’s a bloody, stylish critique of social standing and repressed madness in 19th-century London.

"The Possession of Alba Díaz" by Isabel Cañas (2025): Set in 18th-century Mexico during a plague, this novel blends historical fiction with demonic terror, focusing on a woman fleeing both a literal sickness and a spiritual one.

"Diavola" by Jennifer Thorne: A highly acclaimed 2024/2025 release that follows a highly dysfunctional family on vacation in a haunted Italian villa. It’s "Gothic realism" at its funniest and most frightening.

The "Gothic Cinema" Renaissance

2024 and 2025 have been landmark years for the "Neo-Gothic" aesthetic on the big screen.

"Nosferatu" directed by Robert Eggers: Released late 2024/early 2025, this is a visceral, period-accurate reimagining of the classic vampire tale. It focuses on "atmospheric dread" over jump scares.

"Frankenstein" directed by Guillermo del Toro: Debuting on Netflix in 2025, this is the definitive modern take on Mary Shelley’s masterpiece. Starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, it explores the Gothic theme of "man playing God" through a gorgeous, tragic lens.

"Sinners" directed by Ryan Coogler: Starring Michael B. Jordan, this 2025 film blends Jim Crow-era history with Gothic supernatural elements (vampires), showing how the horrors of the past literally hunt the present.

"Dracula: A Love Tale" directed by Luc Besson: A 2025 reimagining that leans heavily into the "Gothic Romance" tradition, focusing on the Count's centuries-long yearning for lost love.

Gothic television shows

Streaming services have become the new home for "Serialized Gothic," allowing for slow-burn character development.

"The Fall of the House of Usher" (Netflix): Mike Flanagan’s modern update of Edgar Allan Poe. It reinterprets the "cursed bloodline" as a billionaire pharmaceutical family facing a supernatural reckoning for their crimes.

"Interview with the Vampire" (AMC+): This recent adaptation has been hailed for its lush, "Southern Gothic" atmosphere and its deep exploration of toxic immortality and queer identity.

"Penny Dreadful" (Paramount+): If you want the "Greatest Hits" of Gothic literature (Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, Dracula) all interacting in a dark, Victorian London, this remains the gold standard.

If you're new to the genre, start with "The Fall of the House of Usher" on Netflix. It’s the perfect bridge between old-school Gothic tropes and 2025's social anxieties.

Austi Classics Frankenstein at Amazon

Buy it at Amazon UK here , at Amazon United States here , and at Amazon Australia here.

Dan Abramson
Sydney Australia
February 2016, updated April 2016 and April 2022