Sub genres of horror

Sub genres of horror

Like all genres, horror can be categorized into many different sub genres. Using research and our questionnaire results that I have analysed, I have found the most popular sub genres of horror. Using this data we have also decided on what subgenre our horror film will be.

Subgenres

Slasher

The slasher subgenre of horror is often defined by its killer. Ask a regular film watcher to name characters from a nightmare on Elm Street and chances are the first person they will mention will be Freddy Kruger. The same can be said for Friday the 13^th, Jason is iconically known, whereas his victims are often forgettable characters. They often appear as unstoppable and superior, making them a formidable foe. Their desire to kill what seems to be anything with a pulse is often associated with a childhood trauma or mental disability. The weapon of choice for the killer is often something that allows them to get up close and personal, such as a knife. This adds to the fear factor, as it forces the protagonists into situations where they are confronted and must escape imminent danger. The killer would be far less menacing if he used guns, as it would take away the need to confront his victims.

The killer’s victims are usually those who break the ‘rules’ of the horror convention. Drinking, smoking, doing drugs and having sex almost always results in death. The victims are also often young attractive teenagers, and the slasher subgenre often overlaps with the teen subgenre in this respect. Slasher films often star a heroine who becomes the ‘final girl’ who goes against her drinking smoking friends and doesn’t break the conventions ‘rules’ resulting in her survival. Plot and character development are rendered relatively meaningless, as characters are often killed quickly, sometimes within minutes of appearing. To counter this, deaths almost always contain lots of blood, gore and creativity.
Examples of the slasher genre

A nightmare on Elm Streetthe teenage victims drink and have sex, leading to their deaths. The killer is iconic (Freddy) kills with a glove of knives and is perceived as unstoppable. This is due to the fact that he kills in his victims dreams, effectively making him not real. His killings are to avenge his own death, and are very creative and bloody.


Psychodespite having elements of psychological horror, psycho is definitely a slasher film. Marion has sex at the beginning of the film with her boyfriend, foreshadowing her death. This is because she has broken one of the horror ‘rules’. The killer viciously stabs his victims with a knife. He performs these killings due to trauma when a child, where he flipped and killed his mother and her lover. Like most slashers, the killer gains for fame than the victims, and becomes iconic of that series, his victims are often forgettable.

Apocalyptic

The apocalyptic subgenre is defined by character development and unfavourable odds. Often, the virus comes about, with the protagonists unaware of what it does (eg turns people into zombies) how it does it and what the cure is.  Zombies are often the primary antagonists, and in contrast to slasher films, there are usually hordes of enemies opposing the protagonists. This puts the heroes in situations with unfavourable odds and, while often physically and mentally superior, they are almost always outnumbered by a vast degree. The objective is never to try to eradicate the opposition; it is to survive, often while waiting for a savior to their plight. These unfavourable odds are often coupled with lack of supplies (eg food) poor conditions for survival and a lack of ways to defend themselves. Almost always the protagonists are in a group which dwindles in numbers as the film progresses. The ‘leader’ of the group is often an average person (such as an office worker) who steps up to the challenges and hardships that they’re faced with. They are often more competent than those with actual training, such as police officers and soldiers.

Often in the post apocalyptic sub genre, the zombies aren’t the real antagonist. The real foes are the survivors, betraying each other for personal gain; the zombies are merely an allegory for humanities self conflict, even in times of desperate need.  

Examples of apocalyptic horror
28 days laterthe small group of 4 aim to travel to Manchester (there savior) the protagonist knows very little about the virus as he has awoken from a coma. After meeting the soldiers, they fight against them with the zombies as an allegory for self conflict. This is because the soldiers are the real antagonist.



 I am legenda man believes himself to be the only remaining survivor in the world after a cancer cure gone wrong kills or mutates everyone into creatures called dark seekers. Despite being a scientist, he is well trained and armed, but is focused on survival against unfavourable odds. Despite knowing what caused the virus, he doesn’t initially know that there are other with immunity too. The savior that he is waiting for is using his blood to find a cure to the virus. The mutants represent mans desire for control and try and play god.

Psychological

Psychological horror has a strong focus upon the protagonist’s mental state, with significantly less focus put upon gore or bloody killings. It can relate to the audience, due to the ability to play on common fears and phobias to great effect. Gore and cheap jump scares aren’t used, but genuinely disturbing fear of the unknown or something that the protagonist wishes to repress, such as bad memories and regrets. Supernatural elements can feature, but the majority of psychological horror takes the form of realistic locations, antagonists and scenarios. Realism is strived for, and locations like schools, warehouses, hospitals and the woods are all staples of the genre. This is due to their everyday use in society, they seem ordinary and normal which makes them scarier when negative events occur in them.

Huge emphasis is placed on what isn't seen and what could be lurking in the shadows. Emotionally unstable protagonists build up suspense as their own perceptions and fears overcome them, as well as the audience who can relate in various ways. The killer is more often to be a child than other subgenres, destroying their stereotyped image of cute and harmless.Examples of psychological horror:
the Blair witch projectthe killer (whoever it may be) is never seen, no one gets stabbed, there are no jump scares or cheap tactics, just 3 students lost in the woods. The fear of what is in the dark is heavily played upon.

Paranormal activity

The demon that haunts Katie is invisible, as only torments them during the night, playing on the fear of darkness. The safety of the home and the bedroom is destroyed by the demons attacks.