Adeola summer holiday research

What is horror?

Horror films set out to be unsettling and make you feel uneasy. They strive to make their views release the emotions of fear, disgust and horror. Through the uses of macabre and the supernatural they often feature scenes that will startle the viewers. Horrors often interlink with the thriller genre. As long as a film contains a plot about morbidity, serial killers, a disease/virus outbreak and surrealism then it will be termed as ‘horror’. Themes or elements often prevalent in typical horror films include serial killers, vampires, ghosts etc.

Where did horror originate from?

Horror was influenced from the films Dracula (1931) and Frankenstein (1931. The term ‘horror movie’ first appeared in the writing of critics and film industry commentators in response to the release of Universals movies. Horror films aim to use viewers nightmares, worst fears, revulsions and terror as a way to accomplish a sense of emotional fear.

Classical horror movie features;

• ·         It will appear that you have killed the monster, you never check to see if they are dead so they either disappear or attack you

• ·         Someone will always go to look for something in the basement, especially when the power has gone out

• ·         There will be a group of people but they will always decide to go off alone

• ·         There will be a loud noise, you will go to investigate and find something small like a cat. They always believe the small cat made such the loud noise

• ·         When someone is running away from the monster they always trip as the monster catches up

General Conventions of a horror movie:

• ·         Victim is normally a female know as the final girl-good girl

• ·         The killer is normally a male

• ·         There is normally a female friend who is a bit promiscuous who will be murdered

• ·         The male gaze

• ·         Sharp blades and weapons used to kill (usually a phallic symbol)

• ·         Normally gory killings that seem personal

• ·         Red herring

• ·         Superhero normally kills the murder by shooting them

 

Prom Night 2008

Film synopsis: Donna's senior prom is supposed to be the best night of her life, though a sadistic killer from her past has different plans for her and her friends.