Conventions of Horror

Damp Salad Productions

Generic Conventions of Horror filmsHorror is a genre that aims to create a sense of fear, panic and suspense for the audience. These types of films are often produced to build an unsettling atmosphere and rely on scaring the audience by portraying many people’s worst fears. Horror films are usually based around some sort of evil spirit, person/group of people, or an event. Mostly classic, but many modern day horror films include mythical creatures such as ghosts, vampires and zombies. Traditionally, many horror films incorporate large amounts of gore and violence into the plot. Although it has it’s very own distinct style, horror can merge with Fantasy, Thrillers, Mystery and even Comedy.

Mise-En-SceneSet in isolated/abandoned places

where there aren’t any outside characters, only the main ones.

Pathetic fallacy - heavy rain/storms

“Dark History” places like asylums, abandoned towns, etc.

Generic locations are mostly places like Woodland/Forests, Lakes, Farms/places far out in the country, Hotels, Graveyards or Churches.

IconographyVisual style: Dark/Bold colours, red to represent

blood, greys, black and white, contrasting colours.

Lighting: non-naturalistic. Either blinding white light in asylums/hospitals, or dim lighting to create unusual shadows. Backlighting is also used frequently to create silhouettes, often to mask people’s identities.

Props: usually weapons (mainly blunt, to create gore instead of a clean-cut death) of some sort that are specific to a certain character, how they fight or an association to the villain.

Iconography of mythical creatures and monsters connotes fear, terror and disgust, such as mummies, vampires, werewolves etc.

CharacterisationMain protagonist, often the

“victim/hero” of the film.

Classic Villain/Evil spirit, serial killer, kidnapper, monsters, etc.

Possessed children/person

Police officers (good/bad/neutral)

Groups of teenagers, usually killed one by one or when separated.

Narrative Structure/TechniquesHorror films try to connect with

the audience - making the protagonist relatable

Based upon conflicts and situations that the protagonist must push through in order to survive/escape

Slasher film narratives are usually common and unoriginal

ThemesSupernatural/Paranormal

Experimentation/Torture

Beyond Death

Insanity/Madness

Depression

Revenge

Lust/Wanting

Envy/Jealousy

Religion