HORRORGenre analysis

OVERVIEW

The horror genre aims to create a negative

emotional reaction from it’s viewers by playing on

the audience’s primal fears. Horror films often deal

with the viewer’s nightmares, hidden fears and terror

of the unknown. Elements of horror films often

include cannibals, demons, serial

killers, ghosts, zombies and torture. Horror films

always keep the viewer on the edge of their seat.

Examples of Horror Films

The Shining

The Exorcist

Saw

Paranormal Activity

Halloween

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Typical Locations

Typical locations consist of –

• Haunted houses

• Graveyard

• Haunted hotel

• Cellar

• Caves

Hotel from ‘The Shining’

Typical Props

Typical props in horror films consist of –

• Knives

• Chainsaws

• Axes

• Shotguns

• Rusty chains

• Baseball bats

Old Horror Films

• Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1920)

• Frankenstein (1910)

• Waxworks (1924)

• The Invisible Man (1933)

• The Wolf Man (1941)

• Dracula (1958)

• Night of the Living Dead (1968)

• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

• The Shining (1980)