"Monsterland" as a modern bestiary: Adaptation and allegory in the age of anxiety

This thesis examines Hulu's horror anthology series Monsterland (2020), an adaptation of Nathan Ballingrud’s North American Lake Monsters (2013). The series employs a variety of mythical creatures to explore contemporary social issues, positioning itself as a modern bestiary, a genre that combines descriptions of a variety of creatures with moral lessons. Through detailed analysis of episodes featuring the pelican and the siren, I illustrate how the series uses these creatures to address themes such as climate change, corporate corruption, and the consequences of unchecked desires. Utilizing monster theory and adaptation theory, the thesis argues that Monsterland functions as an allegorical narrative, akin to traditional bestiaries, teaching moral and ethical lessons relevant to today's anxieties. In addition, I demonstrate that “New York, NY” and “Palacios, TX,” the two episodes of Monsterland I analyze, enable a reading of the entire series.