Horror Classic's Hidden Asexual Subtext Revealed

The 1962 cult horror film Carnival of Souls is being re-examined for potential unintentional asexual subtext. While the movie never explicitly mentions asexuality, its protagonist, Mary, displays a notable detachment from romantic and sexual advances.

Mary, the sole survivor of a car accident, moves to Salt Lake City and takes a job as a church organist. She is frequently bothered by a persistent male neighbor, John, and even agrees to dates solely to alleviate her loneliness, not out of attraction.

Her character exhibits aloofness toward most people, seeming to want both solitude and connection. Mary herself expresses a profound sense of separation, stating, "I don't belong in the world... Something separates me from other people."

This feeling of distance, especially when others question her lack of romantic involvement, could suggest an inherent struggle to understand her lack of attraction to anyone, male or female. For a film from the 1960s, Carnival of Souls stands out by presenting a female character who feels socially and romantically distant, offering a rare instance of asexual subtext.