Kathleen Traylor

**Review of *In the Fire* from a Disabled and Horror Fan Perspective** *In the Fire* offers a compelling mix of supernatural horror and a thoughtful exploration of human nature. As a disabled person and avid fan of horror, I found the film particularly engaging in the way it blends eerie suspense with sensitive portrayals of misunderstood characters, while highlighting how society often reacts with fear toward what it doesn’t understand. Set in the 1890s, the film takes place in a time when the understanding of mental health and neurodiversity was quite limited. The young boy at the heart of the story, whose behavior is viewed as demonic by his community, struck me as an implicit representation of autism. While I questioned how realistically the characters understood his condition given the historical context, it was easy to forgive this stretch of historical accuracy because of the emotional intensity of the narrative. What I truly appreciated about *In the Fire* was how it kept the audience in suspense while staying true to its horror roots. It gradually unraveled deeper themes about fear, misunderstanding, and acceptance, which elevated the film beyond a simple supernatural thriller. The climax, while chilling, was deeply satisfying. (Spoiler alert!) Rather than condemning the boy as a monster, the film takes a more nuanced approach to his character, offering a sci-fi twist that explores human complexity without demonizing him. For those of us who are often mischaracterized or marginalized, it was refreshing to see a horror movie that dealt with these themes thoughtfully. Though the film’s portrayal of autism in the 1890s might not be historically accurate, *In the Fire* skillfully balances delivering chills with a deeper, thought-provoking narrative. I highly recommend it to horror fans who enjoy films that dig into the human psyche while still delivering eerie thrills.