Well known for his work in horror films like The Abominable Snowman (1957) and The Skull (1965), Peter Cushing seemed to be a staple in the horror genre. With his serious demeanour and piercing stare, Cushing made an excellent antagonist. However, audiences might be surprised to learn that personally, the English actor held the term “horror” in low regard. During an interview, Cushing revealed that what many considered horror, he believed to be fantasy.

“I don’t really like the word ‘horror,’” said Cushing during an interview with the Reading Evening Post. “I prefer fantasy. Horror is a part of fantasy. We like fantasy.”

Of course, plenty of horror films have been known to steer into the fantastical. But Cushing believed that if a scary movie were truly worth its weight, it would need to transcend across genres.

“Some of our stories are very funny,” said the actor. “Everybody likes being scared, particularly when you know that, really, you are going to be safe. But it is the element of surprise, the unexpected. Like, you are eating something, and the food suddenly bites back. But the story is the thing you know. A GOOD plot. Rather like an Agatha Christie story. There must be this twist to the end.”

Cushing believed that in fantasy, directors were able to defy the confines of imagination, creating something entirely new to enthrall an audience where words failed. Fantasy films are, in many cases, the closest you get to the old silent movies,” said Cushing. “Words are superfluous.”