Genre Research Blog: October 2024

What Make It Horror?

Horror movies are, as the name suggests, designed to evoke negative emotions in viewers fear, dread, anxiety, horror, and disgust. Horror is meant to give you that's sense of thrill and raped feeling of wondering what's going to happen next. Horror movies invite viewers to immerse themselves in threat scenarios. As viewers, we are made to feel for and with the characters who are facing these terrifying danger events, and we respond powerfully to the overall image of scary monsters and horrors from beyond the grave because those horrors stimulate the fear system and make it weirdly exciting for us to want to watch and see what happens to the character next.

Content:

Sound elements play a crucial role in horror movies, significantly enhancing the atmosphere and heightening the sense of fear and tension. The strategic use of music, sound effects, silence, and dialogue all contribute to creating an immersive and terrifying experience for the audience. Music is one of the most powerful tools in a horror filmmaker's arsenal. Eerie and suspenseful music can build tension and create a sense of impending doom. Composers often use dissonant chords, minor keys, and sudden changes in tempo to unsettle viewers. For example, the iconic screeching violins in Alfred Hitchcock’s "Psycho" shower scene amplify the horror of the moment. The music sets the tone and can manipulate the audience’s emotions, making them more susceptible to fear.

Sound effects are essential in creating a believable and frightening environment. Sounds like footsteps, creaking doors, and whispers can make the audience feel uneasy and on edge. These effects often occur off-screen, leaving much to the imagination, which can be even scarier. For instance, the subtle background noises in "The Conjuring" build a sense of dread before anything visually frightening happens. The anticipation created by these sounds is a key component of the horror experience. The use of silence and dialogue can also be incredibly effective. Strategic use of silence can create an unsettling atmosphere and make the audience hyper-aware of any sudden noises. This technique is often used before a jump scare to maximize its impact. Additionally, whispered voices, distorted sounds, and unsettling dialogue can contribute to the creepy atmosphere. The way characters speak and the sounds they make can be designed to unsettle the audience, as seen in movies like "The Exorcist," where the possessed girl's voice is deeply disturbing.

Production techniques:

Horror often explores themes like death, the supernatural, the unknown, and human psychology. These themes are meant to provoke fear and anxiety.

Settings: Typical settings include haunted houses, graveyards, isolated locations, and dark, foggy environments. The setting plays a big roll on what we can predict will happen next for example in the movie "In a dark Place". This movie mostly took place in areas with dim lighting, and in foggy places. It forecasts how the movie is going to go and what genre it will be.

Overall, the setting often contributes to the overall sense of dread.

Characters: Common characters in horror include an ordinary person facing extraordinary terror, the antagonist (such as ghosts, monsters, or killers), and sometimes a "final girl" who survives until the end. These characters are the characters were hopeful about and the ones we want to see to make it till the end alive from wherever they are and whatever is happening to them. These characters make us feel a sense of suspense and addiction to keep on watching till the end to see how and why they made it.

Plot Devices: Horror stories frequently use jump scares, suspense, and shocking twists to keep the audience on edge. There’s often a buildup of tension that leads to an extent of excitement.

Visual and Sound Elements: In film, horror relies heavily on visual and sound effects to create a terrifying atmosphere. This includes eerie music, sudden loud noises, and disturbing imagery. sound elements are one of the most important key factors to making it a horror movie. These sound elements develop the sense of fear and tension in the movie and make it uneasy for the viewers. The imagination also plays a huge role since all these elements are occurring off screen and viewers only process what is happening and not how its happening. These conventions help create a sense of fear and anticipation, making horror a unique and engaging genre.

Marketing:

Marketing in the horror movie industry relies on creative strategies to attract and engage audiences. Trailers use suspenseful scenes and eerie music to spark curiosity without revealing too much. Social media campaigns leverage platforms like Twitter and TikTok to create viral buzz and community involvement. Experiential marketing, such as haunted house events and virtual reality experiences, immerses audiences in the horror, generating strong word-of-mouth promotion. These techniques are crucial for wanting a variety of people to watch it and to ensure the success of horror films.

Samples:

The film "Scream" (1996) is about two guys who kill people and their loved ones thinking it's fun. One of the key elements that set "Scream" apart is its opening scene, featuring Drew Barrymore. This sequence subverts audience expectations by killing off a major star early in the film, establishing that no character is safe. The use of a phone call to build tension and the killer's taunting questions about horror movies create an immediate sense of dread and engagement. This scene is a masterclass in building suspense and setting the tone for the rest of the film. "Scream" also stands out for its strong character development and the portrayal of Sidney Prescott as a resilient and resourceful final girl. The film explores themes of trauma, media influence, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. The combination of Craven's direction, Williamson's script, and a talented cast, including Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, makes "Scream" a pioneering film that blends horror and satire, influencing countless films in the genre that followed.

"Terrifier 3 2024" contributes to the horror genre by pushing the limits of gore and psychological terror. It revives the slasher film's core elements with its relentless pacing and shocking violence, reminiscent of classic horror but with a modern twist. The film's practical effects and makeup artistry set a new standard for visual horror, creating scenes that are both gruesome and memorable. Additionally, the character of Art the Clown has become an iconic figure in contemporary horror, offering a fresh and terrifying antagonist that stands out in a crowded genre. By combining these elements, "Terrifier 3" not only pays homage to classic horror but also innovates within the genre, ensuring its place in the pantheon of modern horror films.