Szalone badania i legitymizacja autorytetów — wyobrażenia nauki w horrorze lat pięćdziesiątych

The aim of the article is to analyze how the cinematic images of science in the American horror movies of the decade following the creation of the nuclear bomb affect the way the viewers conceptualize the activity of scientists. The text explores four theoretical fields important for this subject — a parallel positive and negative valorization of science, the impact of 1950s horror cinema on the public’s attitude towards scientists and their research, the role of technohorror in the legitimacy of authorities and the indispensability of researchers in overcoming crises presented by films.