Codes and Conventions of a Horror film

Codes and Conventions of a Horror Film

This type of genre strives to educe fear and apprehension from their viewers by colliding supernatural into reality situations. Everything a normal society values is systematically destroyed throughout the film. It often can be completely paranormal without any reality whatsoever and are based on classic literature of the gothic/horror genre. They can also incorporate elements of other genres such as science fiction (sci-fi), fantasy, black comedies or thriller. Modernized horrors usually contain graphic violence or bloody gore. Horror films differentiate due to the years and so it is much harder to compare or group them largely and so contrasts between them become very clear.

o Preliminary introduction into ordinary lifestyle
o Type of bizarre murder/death – killer maybe known or unknown
o Credits follow horror theme – creepy font, title movement, image eg pumpkin, weapon, etc
o Main characters introduced – young/ youthful
o Teenage kids – easy target also vulnerable – home alone
o Teenagers usually a couple – football jock boyfriend and cheerleader blonde bimbo girlfriend.
o Mysterious phone calls – dubbed sinister voice “Who’s There…?”
o Family ties broken
o Sisters killed by brothers e.g: Halloween
o Sometimes unsuccessful acts of heroism
o Victim unprotected
o Superhuman killer – doesn’t die successfully = sequels

Examples of Horror Films
(Pre 1920)
o Frankenstein (1910)
o The Miser’s Doom (1899)
(1920’s)
o The Phantom of The Opera (1925)

(1930’s)
o Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
o The Tell – Tale Heart (1934)

(1940’s)
o The Body Snatcher (1945)

(1950’s)
o Night Of The Demon (Curse of The Demon) (1957)
o The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959)

(1960’s)
o 13 Ghosts (1960)
o Psycho (1960)
o The Birds (1963)
o The Haunting (1963)

(1970’s)
o Tales From The Crypt (1972)
o Carrie (1976)

(1980’s)
o Friday The 13th (1980)
o A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
o Child’s Play (1988)

(1990’s)
o Candyman (1992)

(2000)
o Final Destination (2000)
o 28 Days Later (2002)
o The Grudge (2004)
o Saw (2004)
o Hostel (2005)
o The Happening (2008)
o Mirrors (2008)