Horror GenreShannon Bradley

What is a horror movie?

A horror movie has the main aim to frighten and scare the viewers. This is done through the mis en scene, editing and shot types. A horror also has many themes, one being death. Horrors also intend to create an eerie and fear-provoking atmosphere.

Horrors are so popular they have now desensitised the audience which has lead to many copy-cat instances, e.g. the James Bulger case which was related to Child’s Play 3.

Sub-genres

Psychological horror – use of supernatural features to provoke fear and often has the mention of religion. (e.g. Paranormal Activity)

Body horror – sense of fear is created through the destruction of the human body. (e.g. The Human Centipede)

Gothic horror – mixes both themes of gothic and horror Slasher film – includes a psychological killer who kills characters

using weapons such as axes (e.g. Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

Camera/ Shot typesPoint of view shots

close ups Low angles

(The Shining)

(The Ring) (Psycho)

(The Shining) (Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

Mis en Scene

• Isolated areas

• Abandoned houses

• Dark/ low-key lighting

• Young/ teenage characters

The woman in black

Texas Chainsaw massacre

Scary Movie

Sound

• Disturbing sounds (e.g. screams)

• Nursery-like songs to create and eerie feel

• Tension building music (non-diegetic)

http://www.filminute.com/films/2014/tuck-me-in/

Tuck Me In (a short film on filminute.com) is a good example of how sound was used to create an uneasy atmosphere. A piano was used to make the clip seem eerie and it also helped to engage the audience. The sound also picked up when the Dad went to look under the bed which added suspense and tension.

Themes - Supernatural, Evil, Death, Religion, Revenge

Paranormal Activity follows a family whose house it haunted by a supernatural being and they set up a video in order to catch it on recording. Supernatural is the theme of this film.

The Exorcist is about a girl who is possessed by a demon and a priest tries to save her. This film includes themes of religion.

Friday the 13th is about a group of friends who go on a camping trip to a lake and members of the group are suddenly killed. This film has death as a theme.

Iconography

Weapons, religious symbols, Masks, etc.

Examples:

The woman in black is a horror film and it has many conventions that are typical of a horror. One being, the children in the beginning which creates an uneasy feel that adds to the suspense. Eerie music is also used to contribute to this tense feeling. Despite, many more horror conventions this film was passed at a 12A which lead to controversy.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12hLz_Ds2Qw

This is a shot from Insidious, another horror film that uses many clear horror conventions. Dark/ Low-key lighting has been used in this shot which makes the audience feel in suspense as bad things always happen in the dark. The dark lighting also creates an intense atmosphere which also contributes to the uneasy feel. This film was passed as a 15.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1973) is a horror film that uses the convention of an abandoned house where the victims are killed by a masked man. This type of convention makes the characters seem more vulnerable and also makes the house seem more intimidating.