What is Horror?

Horror movies are defined as, "one that seeks to elicit fear or disgust in its audience for entertainment purposes". You may be asking yourself, what is so appealing about being scared and disgusted? Horror movies have been one of the most popular movies genres due to the fear factor they impose on viewers. This fear factor keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, which many other genres fail to do.

Content

There are certain characteristics that pertain specifically to movies in the horror genre. Fear is an essential factor to create a horror movie. Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous and likely to cause harm. In most horror films, the protagonist fears someone or something, and the plot is based around this. Fear can control the characters causing them to act in outlandish ways, contributing to the plot. When the movie induces a feeling of fear and adrenaline upon the audience it entices them and makes them more involved in the plot.

Example: Due to the antagonist Sam from Trick 'r Treat (2007) hallowing appearance, it induces fear upon the audience

Anticipation is another key factor in creating a successful horror film. Anticipation is the feeling of excitement that something is going to happen. Anticipation is created in many horror films as the antagonist approaches the protagonist during a state of vulnerability. Creating the feeling of anticipation within viewers keeps them more involved in the movie as the yearn to see what comes next.

Example: This scene from Psycho (1960) creates anticipation as the protagonist is in a state of vulnerability and is unaware of the shadowy figure behind her

Most horror films follow the same frameworks, or plot. It typically includes one supernatural antagonist who terrorizes an individual or group. The setting typically takes place in a small town or summer camp where the individual or group of individuals have to survive and take down the monster. As the plot progresses the monster kills a few characters, and the movie ends with the protagonist killing the monster. However in many cases the monster is not actually dead leaving way for a sequel. Many movie franchises have followed these frameworks resulting in great success.

Example: The Friday the 13th series followed this "slasher" style of movie which resulted in great success.

Production Techniques

There are many distinctive production techniques that are staples within the horror genre. Horror movies tend to have very dark lighting in order to create an eerie ambiance. Sound is an essential part in creating a horror film. Sounds can be used to scare the crowd, intensifying the fear factor of the film. The usage of sounds is very helpful in creating jump scares, as the sudden scare and noise really send chills down viewers spine. Music can also induce a feeling of suspense in many movies as the closer the monster gets the louder the noise gets.

Example: In the film Saw (2004) a harrowing soundtrack and theme song is played intensifying the scenes.

Marketing

Horror films main audience is people between 15-25 years old. This demographic group is made of teenagers and young adults as they tend to love more horrifying movies. Knowing this, many film producers promote their new films on social media, as the target market tends to use it more frequently. Social medias such as Instagram and Snapchat allow producers to promote their new films for free to people globally.

Sample

The Conjuring (2013) is a supernatural horror film following a family moving into an old farm house, the father Roger (Ron Livingston) the mother Carolyn (Lilli Taylor) and their five daughters. From the start paranormal events occurred such as birds flying into their windows. However the events became more hostile as the spirits began attacking the children. Carolyn contacts the Warrens (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) two well known ghost hunters to visit the house. The Warrens and the family are then faced against the supernatural leaving viewers on the edge of their seat. The Conjuring is an amazing representation of the horror genre as it has all the crucial elements. The lighting, music, and suspense created and used by producers left viewers at the edge of their seat.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) follows the invasion of aliens in San Francisco. The story follows Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams) and Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) and their tale of survival during an alien invasion, This movie is one of the most infamous horror films as it laid the foundation for what was to come. This film had all of the characteristics of your traditional horror film as well as an indirect correlation with the cold war.