"Horror Films are unsettling films designed to frighten and panic, cause dread and alarm, and to invoke our hidden worst fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining us at the same time in a cathartic experience" -Filmsite.org

Setting Most horror films take place in isolated, abandoned, or locations with a mysterious or hidden past. Technically, anywhere that can create a sense of tension. Also, they usually take place during the night time. However, settings may vary and can be set in almost any location and at any time.

Examples of Setting Set in an abandoned location. Set in a village with a hidden past. Less typical than the previous examples, shows how the setting may take place in broad daylight

Iconography The haunted house (paranormal activity,) The disfigured face or mask( Freddy, Jason, Chucky) The screaming victims The phallic murder weapon: knife, stake, chainsaw(Texas Chainsaw Massacre) Binary oppositions of good and evil. For example, Dracula/Van Helsing (maybe have rosaries or like in Dracula some herbs to prevent vampires) Darkened places where the ‘monster’ lurks: woods, cellars (Blaire Witch Project) Blood and body parts (body horror) Usually states it was based on a true story

Tone/Style Common tones in horror films are cryptic, obscure, and of course horrifying. The tone is set by various processes. For example, when a film has a blue filter, it causes the tone to seem eerie. This is widely visible through the films "The Ring" & "The Grudge"

Tone/Style In addition to the effects and lighting, camera angles play a huge role as well. Extreme close-ups and P.O.V shots are constantly used to express the fear of the characters or to make the audience feel the tension.

Tone/Style There's usually a recurring sound or music that happens when something bad is going to happen For example, in "One Missed Call" or "Friday the 13th“  One Missed Call Sound One Missed Call Sound  Michael Myers Sound Michael Myers Sound

Examples of Tone Notice how just by seeing the pictures, you can tell the movie will have an eerie tone.

Narrative Usually horror films are films that are based around a past event which created the monster like in Halloween where the main psychopath is evil because of dramatic childhood experiences and bulling in school. Then, we also have Freddie Kruger which also was a nice character but to save his life he must kill those who once tried burning him alive. Most plots to horror films are based on death murders the supernatural and mental illness which are usually the main villain of the movie.

Typical Characters Protagonist -Most likely female; usually the one with high morals and smartest of the group. -Also, most likely to survive

Typical Characters Overconfident -There's usually that one person who doesn't believe the situation that is occurring -Portrayed as being cocky and at ease, convincing the other characters that they are overreacting and that nothing is going on -Usually male

Typical Characters Antagon ist -Usually a monster, creature, psycho, murderer, etc. -Causes a lot of problems

Themes The Fake Documentary (“Paranormal Activity”, “Blaire Witch Project”) The Mass Incarnate Infestation( zombie films such as “Dawn of the Dead”, “18 Days Later”) Creatures from Beyond, such as monsters and vampires. (“Creature of the Black Lagoon”, “Dracula”) The Overwhelming Gore Explosion( “Saw” collection, “Hostel”, “The Hills Have Eyes”) The Serial Killers (“Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, Chucky the play doll, “Halloween”) These are the top typical horror movies these are most popular due to the fact they are all based on human fears no person wants to face unseen forces such as presented in documentary or knowing there are serial killers out there killing people with such gore.

Elements of Horror Prevalent elements include ghosts, aliens, vampires, werewolves, curses, Satanism, demons, gore, torture, vicious animals, monsters, zombies, cannibals, and serial killers.

Examples of Elements

Audience Response Horror films are movies that create feelings of fear and terror in the audience which is usually have the effect of causing the audience feel parlayed and making them feel useless to the situation they are watching. The exorcist was a very offensive film due to how it was feared by audiences and caused mix emotion all around which lead to it being banned in Britain. Many horror films consist of many religious beliefs being challenged, which cause massive controversy in many countries. These controversies lead to the banning of many horror films, such as “Rosemary Baby”, “Prince of Darkness” and “The Omen”.

Controversial Horror Films Rosemary's Baby Prince of Darkness The Omen

“Must-See” Horror Films The Silence of the Lambs (1991); Directed by Jonathan Demme Psycho (1960); Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Alien (1979); Directed by Ridley Scott The Shining(1980); Directed by Stanley Kubrick The Thing (1982); Directed by John Carpenter

“Must-See” Horror Films The Exorcist (1973); Directed by William Friedkin The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920); Directed by Robert Wiene Nosferatu (1922); Directed by F.W. Murnau Dracula (1931); Directed by Tod Browning

Silence Of The Lambs Clarice Starling, a young intelligent FBI trainee, has been sent to the Baltimore state hospital for the criminally insane to interview an inmate Dr. Hannibal-the cannibal- Lecter. A brilliant renowned psychiatrist turned infamous psychopathic serial killer. She must match wits with Lecter -who has the darkest of all minds- and trust him to give her clues in the search for "Buffalo Bill". A nick name for a loose, unknown, unstoppable psychopathic serial killer

Alien When commercial towing vehicle Nostromo, heading back to Earth, intercepts an SoS signal from a nearby planet, the crew are under obligation to investigate. After a bad landing on the planet, some crew members leave the ship to explore the area. At the same time as they discover a hive colony of some unknown creature, the ship's computer deciphers the message to be a warning, not a call for help. When one of the eggs is disturbed, the crew do not realize the danger they are in.

The Thing An American scientific expedition to the frozen wastes of the Antarctic is interrupted by a group of seemingly mad Norwegians pursuing and shooting a dog. The helicopter pursuing the dog explodes, eventually leaving no explanation for the chase. During the night, the dog mutates and attacks other dogs in the cage and members of the team that investigate. The team soon realizes that an alien life-form with the ability to take over other bodies is on the loose and they don't know who may already have been taken over.

A few cute pictures to help you guys sleep at night. You’re welcome.