Textual analysis: GenreHorror

Style

silent hill: Revelation

The opening sequence of the horror movie silent hill: revelation is a long take that deliberately tries to create confusion for their audience by using an 360 degree pan throughout the entire sequence. This pan is used to create suspense as the camera shows close-ups of disfigured bloody mannequins as well as the monsters behind the mannequins. The blood and the monsters are typical conventions of horror film that are usually used to set the scary tone of the movie preparing the audience for what is to come. The opening sequence is shot in low key black and white already adding to the sinister tone of the film connoting danger , death and evil the white possibly representing the mystery that surrounds the movie . The music used in the sequence is used to scare the audience as it is very calm up on till a certain point were as the music begins to get faster so do the images and the titles.

Narrative and plot

The plot : When her father disappears, Heather Mason is drawn into a strange and terrifying alternate reality that holds answers to the horrific nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. Heather Mason and her father have been on the run, always one step ahead of dangerous forces that she doesn't fully understand, Now on the eve of her 18th birthday, plagued by horrific nightmares and the disappearance of her father, Heather discovers she's not who she thinks she is. The revelation leads her deeper into a demonic world that threatens to trap her forever.

The idea of the horrors in an adults life originating from their childhood is typical of many horror type movies and holds similarities to other horror movies such as A nightmare on elm street, child’s play and chucky. Some story's follow the plot of there being an serious childhood psychotic breakdown that lead the character to become a killer and right wrongs done to them or others around them. Most horror films have an hero or a protagonist or what is known as a “final girl” in this case Heather mason, that keep in with the normal conventions of a typical horror movie. Usually this character must go on a mission to find answers or kill people. These conventions are typical in the sub genre of slasher horror movies where the victims are usually killed in the most horrific and fastest ways. There will most likely be an survivor most likely a female character.

Characters

The female protagonist ( final girl) – usually who the story is centred around. Typically a blond female, young, vulnerable and in need of protection she is usually on a journey running away from the villain.

The non believer- usually male but can be either sex. This character portrays themselves as an alpha male trying to convince everybody that they are over reacting. This character is young, strong and sometimes is the protector of the female protagonist. The non- believer is usually killed not as early as other characters.

The hero- usually a male character of strong masculine build who is the brave character that always goes after the villain in an attempt to save everybody else. Unfortunately the hero does not always survive.

The villain- this character can take many forms, a demonic possession, a serial killer , a ghost or a monster. If the character is human they tend to usually play on the fear of the unknown by wearing an mask so the audience have no emotional connection whatsoever to this character and builds up suspense and fear.

The hysterical character- this is usually a female character the most emotional of the cast who witnesses the murder of one of her friends. This character tends to die quite soon in the movie or could be the final girl.

The couple in love- these characters are all over each other initially and tend to die consecutively. These characters build up the most tension for the audience as they are usually oblivious to the killer about to murder them as they are pre occupied with each other.

Themes

Themes that presented themselves in the movie silent hill were: good versus evil, nightmares , childhood issues and supernatural.

Themes horror movies are tend to show are:

• Depression

• Religion

• Revenge

• Beyond death

• Insanity

• Apocalyptic

Settings

Conventional settings of horror movies consist of abandoned, isolated locations that create enigma, tension and fear for the audience. Typical locations consist of old houses, grave yards, the woods, abandoned factory's an psychiatric hospital or even an normal family home. These locations are were most of the action or murders take place and the story behind the settings is what keeps the audience enticed.