Horror Genre Research

Horror Genre Research

Horror Film Definition: A motion picture calculated to cause intense repugnance, fear, or dread.

The main aim of a horror movie is of course to frighten the viewer, usually through the frequent use of macabre, jump-scares, disturbing or tense events, and sometimes that of the supernatural. It is not uncommon for horror to overlap with other genres, such as: with sci-fi in The Thing (1982), or with comedy in Shaun Of The Dead (2004).

The Thing (1982) - Scientists are confronted by a murderous shapeshifting alien.

Shaun Of The Dead (2004) - Provides a comical and silly slant on a zombie outbreak, with the title parodying George A. Romero's Dawn Of The Dead.

Storylines

Storylines in most horror films centre around the dark side of life, and intend to resurrect the primal fears within the audience A majority of plots in horror films involve some kind of evil antagonistic force, event, or personage; usually of supernatural or unearthly origin into the everyday world. Usually, this antagonist will pose a threat to the film's main protagonist, who will be attempting to survive its onslaught. Common themes that occur during the plot of most horror films include: ghosts, demonic forces, torture, sadism, gore, zombies, unearthly organisms and psychopaths. There are often numerous deaths and victims throughout the film, often done to convey the danger facing the protagonist(s). Horror films usually end with life ultimately going back to normal, although a common cliche is that the antagonist is revealed to have survived; usually without the characters knowing. This is a device often used to hint at a sequel. 

There are three main subcategories of horror films.

• Gothic - Storyline often contains a suspenseful romance; often between the antagonist and a woman - the most famous of which being Dracula (1931). They also often encorporate mythical humanoid creatures such as werewolves and mummies.

• Slasher - Usually involves some kind of psychopathic murderer that has a string of victims throughout the film. These victims are usually killed in a particularly gruseome and brutal manner; usually with a sharp implement such as a knife or a chainsaw. Slasher films are usually the most graphic and disturbing catagory of horror. Examples of these films are Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) and Friday The 13th (1980).

• Psychological - This relies on the fears of the characters and their emotional instability to create tension. Storyline is often to do with mental conflict, and may involve characters having to battle with immoral tendencies or with demons within them. In these films, fear is mostly built through atmosphere, eerie sounds and exploitation of the viewer's and the character's psychological fears. Some examples include The Shining (1980) and The Exorcist (1973).

  

  Psychological

Gothic

Slasher

Iconography

Many recurring iconographic themes in horror film are those that symbolise fear, darkness and despair. For example, one of the most iconic props in the film industry is the chainsaw, often associated by the public as a weapon favoured by psychopaths. This is most likely due to a famous scene from American Psycho (2000) which can be seen to the right. It is arguable that this is what gave the film industry such a sinister reputation of the chainsaw. The same goes for other bladed weapons such as knives and meat cleavers, which have a similar psychopathic reputation as a result of films such as Halloween (1978) and Scream (1996). Also the colours of black and red are frequently used iconically during horror films, usually to signify danger. An audience would automatically associate the colour red with blood, which reflects the message of the film.

Halloween (1978) - Arguably the origin of the psychopath's knife. Note the intimidating low-angle shot.

Scream (1996) - The iconic bloodied knife.

Cabin In The Woods (2012)

Setting
A setting for a horror film is usually one that depicts isolation, unpredictability, darkness and fear. The settings in horror films are almost always intended to give of an eerie atmosphere, and are traditionally seen at night to enhance the fear-factor. Many horror films take place somewhere with a dark past, such as the house built on a graveyard in Poltergeist (1982). It is also common for horror films to take place in somewhere that is abandoned, which would immediately implying to the audience that the setting is haunted; immediately giving a spooky effect. Primarily though, they would occur somewhere that is isolated, and that any help would be an impossibility. An example of this would be Cabin In The Woods (2012) (seen above), set as the title would suggest, in a dark and eerie area of woodland.

This is the setting of Poltergeist (1982), which seems like a normal and cheerful abode. However, it has a dark secret: it is built over a graveyard, which leads to some particularly feindish hauntings. This setting deliberately contrasts the genre of the film, which would give the audience a sense of insecurity, not only during the film, but at their homes too.

Characters

There are several commonly occurring characters in horror films.

• The Protagonist - Usually male and well built. Often shown as unemotional to portray strength. Commonly drives the plot and provides the most resistance against the antagonist. In most horror films, the protagonist will either survive the events of the film, or will sacrifice themselves to either finally defeat the antagonist, or to save their friends. Their self-sacrifice is almost always done for the greater-good, and functions as an emotional plot device.

• The Antagonist - Takes many forms other than human. Can be demonic, a ghost, an alien, a vampire etc. A human antagonist will often wear a mask, disguising themselves completely of appearance or emotion, and ergo audience can make no connection to them whatsoever. Wearing a mask also plays on the fear of the unknown. Furthermore, if the human antagonist is attack, they almost never show any signs of injury, connoting to the audience that they perhaps have inhuman qualities. A non-human antagonist often plays on the idea that they could exist the real world, and that it is impossible to prove that they do not. This toys with audience's fears. This character will always have the largest impact on the story within the film and will undoubtedly be the biggest source of fear and suspense.

• The Sensitive Character - Typically female. Often portrayed as being jumpy and vulnerable. They are often the source of a lot of suspense and tense moments within the film. This character is usually killed in a rather horrific manner, which would portray to the characters, and audience how being strong and alert will keep them alive. In some films however, this character may actually survive, and would perhaps finally build up the courage to be a hero. Although this would usually occur in more comical horror films.

• The Non-Believer Can be either gender. Often portrayed as being cocky and at ease. Commonly tries to convince the other characters that they are overreacting and that nothing is going on. It is very common for this person to be the first to be killed as they are unaware, or in denial of their killer. To begin with, the audience will want to believe that this person is correct to put their minds at rest. However, their likely subsequent death will demolish all sense of security and will develop a stronger fear-factor

Sound 

There is often lots of tension to be found within the non-diegetic music that can be heard is many horror films. It often consists of the build up of strings and clashing sounds as a character, for example, opens a door, which would build suspense. This musical cue is very common within the horror genre, and many audiences will already associate this build-up with an incoming event. There is often an orchestral hit when something frightening or disturbing is seen by one of the characters, which symbolises their fear, as well as adding to the overall effect.

Music

Music is a very important aspect of a horror film as it helps to convey a particular mood in  a scene. There is often lots of tension to be found within the non-diegetic music that can be heard is many horror films. It often consists of the build up of strings and clashing sounds as a character, for example, opens a door, which would build suspense. This musical cue is very common within the horror genre, and many audiences will already associate this build-up with an incoming event. There is often an orchestral hit when something frightening or disturbing is seen by one of the characters, which symbolises their fear, as well as adding to the overall effect.
The soundtrack may also be composed of eerie sound effects with no specific rhythm and drastically fluctuating dynamics, along with spooky bass lines and sound layers that don't really make sense (often done for effect). One commonly occurring theme in the soundtrack of horror movies is a child's lullaby box in the background, which gives a sinister contrapuntal effect as something associated with serenity and contentment is placed somewhere frightening and distressing. Some of these effects can be heard within the soundtrack of Sinister (2012), which can be found in the YouTube link below. 

Our film will probably make use of a soundtrack like this to add an appropriately creepy atmosphere and add to the overall impact of the film. Though it is likely that the soundtrack for our film may make use of some more dramatic sounds to make the characters' situation seem more dire and urgent, adding to the audience's impressions.