Horror
Target Audience
The typical target audience of the Horror genre is individuals from ages 15 to 25. Moreover, it can be concluded that teenagers and young adults enjoy watching thrilling films filled with suspense and terror. These young people are seeking a “good scare” from watching terrifying films. Also, the typical target audience of horror films is about 42% women and 58% men.
Genre Conventions - Content
Usually within horror films, there are characters with specific roles to execute. Furthermore, a form of a protagonist/hero is generally present in horror films, and he/she must solve the problems faced in the film. Usually to “solve” the problem means to kill/stop the evil, monster, madness, or torture presented in the film. There is also always a victim to the problems faced in the film; he/she usually ends up dead, unfortunately. The villain or antagonist in horror films can often be seen as the murderer, the creator of evil, or the actual evil itself. The antagonist can also be depicted as a monster, a serial killer, an insane scientist, or even a demonic force. Finally, children can be considered an element of many horror films. They can be featured in horror films to play a sinister role, and children being depicted as the so-called monster are usually little girls because they are said to be creepier than little boys.
Genre Conventions - Production Techniques
The mise-en-scene of films under the Horror genre can be characterized by its isolated setting that usually indicates that the protagonist has no hope in finding any sort of help. The setting also consists of the use of thunder and rain, which contributes to the dark and gloomy setting of horror films. The use of thunder and rain can also enhance the isolation of the setting. The mise-en-scene of horror films can also be characterized by its use of various props. Such props can include weapons, antique objects, paintings, photographs, bibles, crucifixes, and candles. Some props, like the bibles and crucifixes, hint at the relationship with religion and the devil that some horror films may have. Furthermore, the props add to the frightening atmosphere portrayed in horror films. Another component that contributes to the mise-en-scene of many horror films is lighting. Lighting utilized in horror movies generally gives the audience a clue that something bad is about to occur. It is able to create a sense of fear and suspense in the audience. Also, shadows and flickering lights can be used in horror films to bring fear and anxiety upon the audience. Moreover, lighting may also create an overall mood for a scene. For example, when a character is scared, the setting will most likely be dark and may even include rain outside. Finally, the use of costumes and color is another one of the elements in horror films that contribute to the mise-en-scene. Moreover, the common colors that can be noted in most horror films are red and black. These colors are consistent with many horror movies because they indicate danger and death. Additionally, costumes must be in correlation with the stereotypical depiction of certain characters. Moreover, the costumes play a significant role in developing the personality of specific characters.
Films in the Horror genre also rely heavily on sound. Moreover, the use of Foley when creating sound in horror films builds suspense. Tension within horror films can be developed through exaggerated diegetic sounds. Also, fast and loud non diegetic sounds are present in order to contribute to the audience’s fear. These non diegetic sounds add to making the audience jump from fear (AKA jump scares).
Institutional Conventions - Marketing
The narrative image of most horror films can be associated with always ending with a suspenseful scene that calls for a sequel. Generally, horror films begin with the victims traveling to a frightful and scary environment. The victims then face the antagonist of the story, and violence is usually present around this scene. Moreover, the characters who survive are the ones to go to a form of authority, but usually do not receive help from them. Later on comes the climax of the film, which consists of action between the protagonists and antagonists of the story. Finally, the ending of the film concludes with a resolution and suspenseful end that hints at a sequel.
Films under the Horror genre have specific marketing techniques to follow in order to be considered a successful film. One of these techniques consists of not revealing everything in the trailer. Igniting a sense of mystery and a sense of “what will happen next?” in the audience, will lead them to want to watch the horror film. Moreover, concealing details in the trailers of horror films will hook potential spectators. Another marketing technique is to identify some of the characters in the trailer. By giving a bit of background information on a character, the audience will care about whether he/she lives or dies. Another marketing technique that is consistent with most horror films is including viewers’ ratings and comments on the movie. In addition, credible testimonials are present in most trailers of horror films because they add to the likelihood of individuals watching the film. Furthermore, the genre of Horror is one of the largest genres, and it is considered one of the more profitable genres. Some of the most profitable horror films consist of The Blair Witch Project ($244.5 M), The Exorcist ($232.9 M), Jaws ($260 M), and The Sixth Sense ($293.5 M).
Film Sample #1
The Human Centipede (2009)
- The Human Centipede is a good representation of the Horror genre because it follows most of the genre and institutional conventions. The obvious antagonist in the film is Dr. Heiter. He could also be identified as the “mad scientist” in the film. Also, in the film he lives in a house located within the woods, which plays into the concept of being isolated. Moreover, in the beginning of the film, two girls that seem to be in their late 20s, Jenny and Lindsay, are introduced. They are away from home, and one of the girls actually has a daughter, which creates anxiousness in the audience of whether she will live or die, from watching the trailer. Jenny and Lindsay are looking for a fun time, and they are portrayed in the film as typical party girls. Later on, Jenny and Lindsay are on the road when their car stops working. They decide to get out of the car to go get help, and it starts to rain and thunder extremely hard; the rain and thunder contribute to the atmosphere of the scene, and they hint at the danger that will occur soon. Furthermore, the girls make it to a house deep in the woods. Of course, the house is Dr. Heiter’s house. What the girls don’t know is that Dr. Heiter is a crazy scientist that experiments with joining humans together, and they were about to become his test subjects. Also, throughout the film, sound is utilized to help build suspense and contribute to jump scares. Furthermore, the trailer of The Human Centipede uses some of the marketing techniques I mentioned earlier. For example, it does not reveal many details about the film, but it reveals just enough to get potential viewers to watch the movie.
Film Sample #2
The Conjuring (2013)
- The Conjuring is another great representation of the Horror genre because it follows most of the genre and institutional conventions. In this case, the antagonist of the film is a supernatural, demonic force. With that being said, props such as bibles and crucifixes are present throughout the entire film. These props are used by the protagonists in the story, Ed and Lorraine Warren, to fight against the demonic force. Moreover, children are also present in the movie because of the fact that the film involves a family, which consists of the parents and their five daughters, moving into an old house in the middle of nowhere. In the beginning of the movie, the mother is really the only one who suspects that something is not right in the house, and at the end of the movie, she is the one who becomes possessed. Moreover, lighting and sound were key elements in this horror movie. An example of the use of lighting can be when one of daughters was sleeping in her bedroom, with the lights off of course, and she feels something tug on her leg. She believes it is her sister, because they shared a room, but it was actually the evil spirit messing with her. The tugging happens again, and this time the daughter gets up because she is unaware of who or what is pulling on her leg. When she gets up, one of the camera shots of the scene reveals the dark lighting in her bedroom; however, it is especially dark in the corner of her bedroom, behind the door. This dark lighting creates a sense of fear so strong in the audience that it makes them want to hide underneath their fingers to avoid seeing the demonic force lurking in the shadows. Along with this lighting is the use of sound. The use of sound intensifies the sense of fear inside the audience, and it exaggerates what the audience is observing while watching the film. As for the institutional conventions of The Conjuring, I noted that it utilizes many of the marketing techniques I identified earlier. For example, identifying some of the characters, such as the mom and dad, so that potential spectators grow an interest of who lives and who dies.
Other Films Within Horror Genre
- Hereditary (2018)
- Get Out (2017)
- The Ring (2002)
- A Quiet Place (2018)
- Scream (1996)
- Paranormal Activity (2012)
- Insidious (2010)
