THE HORROR GENRENabah Jafri

Top Films

▪ The Exorcist (1973)▪ The Conjuring (2013)▪ Paranormal Activity (2007)▪ The Blair Witch Project (1999)▪ The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)▪ A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Stereotypical Horror Characters▪ Hero- This character is usually a male but in my film, it will be a female.

Usually in horror films, the good never defeats the bad. These characters are usually courageous and take big risks but always survive them. They are usually saved till the last and then killed off.

▪ Villain- This character can be anything such as a demon, a psychopathic serial killer or a monster. These can be either male or female but in my film it will be a female as it is more scarier. They almost seem inhuman as they don’t seem to get harmed very easy. This character usually comes out after dark.

▪ The Sceptic- This character will refuse to believe in anything supernatural such as ghosts and will always have a rational explanation for everything. They tend to be one of the first killed off. When something happens to prove them wrong, they tend to go hysterical and panic at everything that happens. They can sometimes bring a bit of humour with them. This character is usually a male but in my film will be a female. They are the calmest in the beginning but towards the end, they are the most hysterical. When they are killed, it seems like its becoming real (the horror).

▪ Female- This character will usually be in need of protection but in my film will be brave but a victim nonetheless. This character can be one of the last characters to be killed off.

Typical Horror Settings

▪ The film is usually located in abandoned buildings or haunted houses or isolated areas. Most settings have a dark past which is stumbled upon whilst the characters are there. It is usually more frightening as there is no sign of life other than the main characters and the villain. Its usually filmed around night to make it much more scarier.

Narrative Theme

▪ Lawbreakers▪ Revenge▪ Who killed who?▪ Who stole the gold?▪ Paying the money back▪ Did you hear that noise?

Props Used in Horror

▪ Knives▪ Fake blood▪ Rocking chairs▪ Sound effects▪ Spiders▪ Cobwebs▪ Religious item

Enigma Codes

Questions the audience will ask themselves:▪ Who is the killer?▪ How will the Villain kill the next victim?▪ Who’s going to die next?▪ Will the police get there in time?▪ Is it supernatural or psychological?