Definition: Horror is a film genre seeking to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's primal fears. In horror film plots, evil invades the everyday world.

They often feature scenes that startle the viewer, and the macabre and the supernatural are frequent themes. Thus they may overlap with the fantasy, supernatural, and thriller genres. Characteristics:

Even though we are frightened by what we see, horror films also captivate and entertain us at the same time. Why is it that we don’t like to be scared at home, but we pay to be frightened out of our minds in the theater? Because we are able to distinguish between reality and fiction.

Characteristics: Watching a horror film gives an opening into that scary world, into an outlet for the essence of fear itself, without actually being in danger. There's a very real thrill and fun factor in being scared or watching disturbing, horrific images.

Horror films give us a cathartic (cleansing or purging) experience. Characteristics: We experience the same feelings of fright and panic as the characters in the films, but we are viewing the film in a safe environment (we aren’t really being chased by a monster or serial killer).

They deal with our most primal fears: Characteristics: our nightmares

They deal with our most primal fears: Characteristics: our nightmares our vulnerability

They deal with our most primal fears: Characteristics: our nightmares our vulnerability our fear of being alone

They deal with our most primal fears: Characteristics: our nightmares our vulnerability our fear of being alone our terror of the unknown

They deal with our most primal fears: Characteristics: our nightmares our vulnerability our fear of being alone our terror of the unknown our fear of death

Types of Horror Films Horror of the Demonic Any film dealing with monsters or the supernatural would fit into this category. This type of horror film suggests that the world is horrible because evil forces exist and is constantly undermining the quality of existence.

Horror of the Demonic Four common themes the idea of vengeance the corruption of innocence mystic phenomena (especially possession) emphasis on Christian symbology Types of Horror Films

Horror of Personality These films evoke horror and/or suspense through villains who are perfectly human, but possess horrific personalities. show the cause and effect of profound insanity Types of Horror Films

Horror of Personality These films evoke horror and/or suspense through villains who are perfectly human, but possess horrific personalities. document an unbalanced person's descent into madness Types of Horror Films

Horror of Personality These films evoke horror and/or suspense through villains who are perfectly human, but possess horrific personalities. follow somebody on the trail of a murderous psychopath Types of Horror Films

Horror of Personality These films evoke horror and/or suspense through villains who are perfectly human, but possess horrific personalities. settings are often deceptively ordinary (such as cheerful suburban homes and shabby hotels) Types of Horror Films

Horror of Personality The entire plot is primarily driven not just by the character, but by a character’s horrific personality. Types of Horror Films

Horror of Personality What distinguishes the horror of personality film from classic horror is that for the first time the object of horror does not look like a monstrous entity, but rather a normal human being, whose horrific identity is often not revealed until the end of the film. Types of Horror Films

Horror of Armageddon This type of horror film is concerned with the end of civilization due to nature gone mad or God gone wrathful. Though apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic themes are prevalent in many film types, when portrayed through the horror medium, the apocalyptic force is typically less religious and more supernatural. Types of Horror Films

Teen Horror Teen horror is film type that revolves completely around a teenager or a group of teenagers. Types of Horror Films These films often play upon traditional teenage issues, such as dating and prom, and turn them into suspenseful and thrilling situations. Typically, these movies have a large cast and a clear hero or heroine.

Slasher The slasher film is a type of horror film that revolves around a psychopathic killer. This killer stalks and murders his victims in extremely violent and memorable ways. Types of Horror Films

Slasher Types of Horror Films Though it centers on a specific killer, the violence is what sets these films apart from other horror films. A slasher film will devote more screen time to portray murder and mayhem than a traditional horror film.

Comedy Horror Comedy horror combines comedy with traditional horror movie themes and characters. Because of the subject matter, these films can cross over into the black comedy film type. Comedy horror films aim to scare the audience, but also provide comical outlets that let the audience laugh at their fear. Types of Horror Films

Monster Horror A monster film is a type of horror that centers on a struggle between human beings and a monster. The monster usually serves as a villain, and the film portrays a hero or heroine that ultimately saves the world from evil. Types of Horror Films

Monster Horror Types of Horror Films Although these movies commonly fall into the horror film type, monster films have a long tradition within science- fiction and fantasy films as well.

Supernatural Horror Supernatural horror is a film type that includes ghosts, demons, or other depictions of supernatural occurrences. Often, these films combine elements of religion into the plot. Types of Horror Films Common themes in supernatural-horror films include the afterlife, the devil, and demonic possession. Unlike religious thrillers, supernatural-horror films are not limited to specific religious elements and can contain more vivid and gruesome violence.

Zombie Horror Zombie film is a type of horror film that portrays mindless human beings who are raised from the dead. Types of Horror Films

Zombie Horror These films often include a zombie invasion and center around zombies feasting on human flesh. Types of Horror Films The plot of a zombie film then revolves around the struggle between the living and the living-dead.

Zombie Horror Types of Horror Films These types of films not only fall into the horror genre, but sci-fi, thriller, and comedy as well.

Horror films developed out of a number of sources: folktales with evil characters, witchcraft, fables, myths, and ghost stories. Horror films also developed from the Gothic or Victorian novels from Europe by writers like Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) and Bram Stoker (Dracula). History of Horror Films Early Films

The first genuine vampire picture was produced by a European filmmaker in This feature-length film was Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror. History of Horror Films Early Films

It was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. History of Horror Films Because of copyright problems, the vampire was named Nosferatu rather than Dracula, and the action was moved from Transylvania to Bremen. Early Films

One actor who helped pave the way for the change in outlook and acceptance of the horror genre was Lon (Alonso) Chaney, Sr., known as "the man of a thousand faces" because of his transformative, grotesque makeup and acting genius. History of Horror Films Early Films

He appeared in numerous silent horror films beginning in 1913 at Universal Studios. History of Horror Films Two of horror's greatest achievements were Chaney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Phantom of the Opera. Early Films

During the early period of talking pictures, Universal Pictures began a successful Gothic horror film series featuring iconic monsters. Dracula (1931), with Bela Lugosi History of Horror Films 1930s-40s Frankenstein (1931)

During the early period of talking pictures, Universal Pictures began a successful Gothic horror film series featuring iconic monsters. History of Horror Films 1930s-40s The Invisible Man (1933)The Mummy (1932) The Wolf Man (1941)

With advances in technology, the tone of horror films shifted from the Gothic towards contemporary concerns and from monsters to creatures. History of Horror Films 1950s Two sub-genres began to emerge: the horror-of-Armageddon film and the horror-of-the-demonic film.

History of Horror Films 1950s A stream of usually low-budget productions featured humanity overcoming threats from "outside.”

History of Horror Films 1950s 1950s low-budget “B” movies are credited for saving the horror film genre.

Just like the science fiction films the 50s, many horror films used the paranoia of the Cold War and communism. History of Horror Films 1950s Filmmakers would continue to merge elements of science fiction and horror over the following decades.

History of Horror Films 1960s The 1960 movie Psycho focused on the psychology of a person’s mental condition. The famous shower scene along with the violin-tinged memorable score still invokes sheer terror.

History of Horror Films 1960s The film itself would come to influence all subsequent Hollywood horror films – especially “slasher” horror films.

History of Horror Films 1960s In 1968, the MPAA created a new rating system with G, M, R, and X ratings, in part as a response to the subversive, violent themes of horror films. Rated G – Suggested For GENERAL Audiences (including children). Rated M – Suggested For MATURE Audiences: Parental Discretion Advised. Rated R – RESTRICTED: Children under 17 (originally 16) not admitted unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian; some theater chains specifically stated that the "adult guardian" must be at least 21. Rated X – Children Under 17 Not Admitted; the notation "Age limit may vary in certain areas" was sometimes added.

History of Horror Films 1960s Modifications in the ratings Many parents thought films rated M contained more adult content than those that were rated R; this confusion led to its replacement in 1969 by GP: Rated GP – General Public – Parental guidance suggested. In 1970 GP was changed to PG.

History of Horror Films 1960s The introduction of PG-13 In 1984, the actions of Steven Spielberg pushed to introduce a PG-13 rating. Violent scenes in the PG-rated films Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins, led Spielberg to suggest a new PG-13 rating. The rating still allows children under 13 to be admitted without a parent or guardian, but it alerts parents about potentially shocking violence or sexual content. The first movie to be released with a PG-13 rating was the 1984 release of Red Dawn.

History of Horror Films 1960s The introduction of NC-17 The MPAA introduced the NC-17 (not for children 17 or under) rating on September 27, 1990 to differentiate MPAA-rated adult-oriented films from movies rated X by their producers. However, media outlets which refused ads for X-rated titles simply transferred that policy to NC-17 titles, as did many theater landlords; large video chains including Blockbuster Video and Hollywood Video refuse to stock NC-17 titles. While a number of movies have been released with the NC-17 rating, none of them has been a box-office hit.

History of Horror Films 1960s The current ratings system: Rated G – GENERAL AUDIENCES: All ages admitted. Rated PG – PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED: Some material may not be suitable for children. Rated PG-13 – PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED: Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Rated R – RESTRICTED: Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Rated NC-17 – No one 17 and under admitted. X or XXX is still used by the adult industry but is not regulated by MPAA

In the 1970s the horror genre was reshaped by a series of intense, often gory horror movies with sexual overtones. History of Horror Films 1970s-80s

History of Horror Films 1970s-80s In 1975, Steven Spielberg began his ascension to fame with Jaws. This film is often credited as being one of the first films to use traditionally B movie elements such as horror and mild gore in a big- budget Hollywood film. It is credited as being the first summer blockbuster.

History of Horror Films 1970s-80s The 1980s saw a wave of gory "B movie" horror. Many became cult classics and later saw success with critics.

History of Horror Films 1970s-80s In the 70s and 80s many horror films (as well as television movies, and mini-series) were based on the works of Stephen King.

History of Horror Films 1990s In the first half of the 1990s, the genre continued many of the themes from the 1980s and because of previous commercial success, sequels were produced.

History of Horror Films 1990s In the latter half of the decade, two main problems pushed horror backward during this period: the horror genre wore itself out with the nonstop slasher and gore films in the eighties. the adolescent audience which feasted on the blood and morbidity of the previous decade grew up.

History of Horror Films 1990s

History of Horror Films The new millennium The start of the 2000s saw a quiet period for the genre. A contemporary trend is the emergence of psychology to scare audiences, rather than gore.

History of Horror Films The new millennium The minimalist approach of "less is more" employed the low- budget techniques can be seen in The Blair Witch Project (1999), The Ring (2002), and The Grudge (2004).

History of Horror Films The new millennium With Paranormal Activity (2009), minimal thought started by The Blair Witch Project was reaffirmed and is expected to be continued successfully in other low-budget productions.

History of Horror Films The new millennium There has been a major return to the zombie genre in horror movies made after A larger trend is a return to the extreme, graphic violence that characterized much of the type of low-budget, exploitation horror from previous decades.

History of Horror Films The new millennium The Saw film series holds the Guinness World Record of the highest-grossing horror franchise in history.

History of Horror Films The new millennium Remakes of earlier horror movies became routine in the 2000s.

History of Horror Films The new millennium This film helped to start a "reimaging" riot in horror film makers. These remakes or "reimagings" gave new life to popular horror films and franchises from previous decades. In 2007 Rob Zombie wrote and directed a remake of John Carpenter's Halloween. The film focused more on Michael's back story than the original did, essentially reimaging the original film.

History of Horror Films The new millennium

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