Horror

PSYCHOLOGICAL HORRORConventions of psychological horrors.

Usually based in a real life scenario. This makes the story believable and this creates the horror to the audience as the possibility of it happening it more likely – ‘based on true events’

The killer usually appears to be normal looking (human). This also makes it more life-like.

Psychological horrors generally use ‘jumpy’ moments rather than physical violence, as this scares the audience more.

Common settings for psychological horror movies are big, old houses, woodlands, warehouses and schools. This creates a sense of realism for the audience.

The victims in psychological horrors will rarely see the antagonists face, as it creates a sense of mystery.

PSYCHOLOGICAL HORRORA psychological horror relies on the mind of the audience to create the horror effect The Ring (2002)The Ring is an American psychological horror movie. It was a remake of the 1998 Japanese version and they were both based on the novel Ring by Koji Suzuki. The Shining (1980)The Shining is a British-American psychological horror movie directed by Stanley Kubrick. It was based on the novel ‘The Shining’ by Stephan King.

SUPERNATURAL HORRORConventions of supernatural horrors.

Set in the home of the protagonist or places close to the main characters e.g workplace garden, car

–promotes fear of unwanted guests.– feel uncomfortable in the one place that is safe. Supernatural presence is not accepted. Cannot escape – terrifying. Curses usually effect the main characters. Usually, if the place where the ghost is, is a

home, they are usually the past residents.

SUPERNATURAL HORRORSupernatural horrors rely on the ‘scare factor’ to engage the audience. Annabelle (2014)Annabelle is an American supernatural horror movie directed by John R. Leonetti and produced by James Wan. It is a sequel to The Conjuring (directed by James Wan) The Blair Witch Project (1999)The Blair Witch Project is an American supernatural horror. It was filmed with a handheld camera, and when it was released, there was no mention that it was just a story, which lead the audience to believe that all of the footage was real.

GORE HORRORConventions of gore horrors.

Displays the vulnerability of the human body Physical destruction of the human body Displays good vs evil e.g. Jigsaw and Adam Hyperactive camera techniques Contains fast paced narratives and

juxtapositions.

GORE HORRORGore horrors usually focus on graphic portrayals of gore and graphic violence. SAW (2004) Saw is an American gore horror franchise directed by James Wan, it contains ‘games’ that the characters have to play in order to escape, but there is no escape and the characters usually die. However, in the first film, Adam survives and then the next movie is based on him and other ‘Saw’ survivors. Final Destination (2000)Final Destination is a gore horror franchise about teenagers who try to cheat death. The films were directed by James Wong. The franchise ends with all of the characters dying in a train crash.

ACTION HORRORConventions of action horror

• Male protagonist• Guns/violence• Deaths

ACTION HORROR World War Z (2013)World War Z is an American action horror film directed by Mark Forster and is based on the apocalyptic horror novel by Max Brooks. The film is about a zombie epidemic that Gerry Lane must find a way to stop. Dawn of the Dead (2004)Dawn of the Dead is an American action horror film directed by Zack Snyder. It is a remake of the 1978. it is about a group of survivors that stay in a shopping mall while zombies take over.

COMEDY HORRORConventions of comedy horror

Usually based on an existing horror film. Like a parody.

Comedy horror films normally flip stereotypes.

COMEDY HORROR Scary Movie (2000)Scary Movie is a comedy horror that was directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans. It makes fun of films such as Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Sixth Sense, The Usual Suspects, The Matrix, The Blair Witch Project, and Dawson's Creek.

Shaun of Dead (2004)Shaun of the Dead is a British comedy directed by Edgar Wright. It follows Simon Pegg as Shaun, who has to deal with his friends and family and a zombie apocalypse.

GOTHIC HORRORConventions of gothic horror

Gothic horror films are normally set in Victorian/Edwardian times.

They usually have only one protagonist, and one antagonist.

There is always a heavy backstory e.g. Frankenstein – Dr Frankenstein.

GOTHIC HORROR The Woman in Black (2012)The Woman in Black is a British horror film directed by James Watkins. It was based on the novel by Susan Hill. It follows the story of Arthur Kipps and Eel Marsh House, that is haunted by a ghost of a woman who wants to avenge the death of her child. Sleepy Hollow (1999)Sleepy Hollow is an American gothic horror film directed by Tim Burton. It stars Johnny Depp as a police constable who is sent to investigate murders.

SCIENCE FICTION HORRORConventions of science fiction horror

Usually revolves around subjects that include alien invasions, mad scientists, and/or experiments gone wrong.

Takes place in houses, public or places close to the character to make the film seem plausible.

SCIENCE FICTION HORROR Dark Skies (2013)Dark Skies is an American science fiction horror film directed by Scott Stewart. It involves strange events, supernatural occurrences and investigations into the unknown. Alien (1979)Alien is a science fiction horror directed by Ridley Scott. The film is about a highly aggressive creature that kills a crew of a spaceship.