Genre: Horror
Typical Target Audience
Horror movies are mostly for younger people, especially those between 18 and 34 years old. People who like getting scared and feeling thrills usually watch these films. They enjoy the intense feelings that come from fear and excitement, and some horror movies even talk about important social issues.
Genre Conventions – Content
In horror films, common themes are fear, spooky stuff, and things that make you feel scared. The stories often involve haunted houses, monsters, or creepy situations. The main aim is to scare the audience and make them feel uneasy, using intense scenes and a scary atmosphere.
Genre Conventions – Production Techniques
Horror films use tricks to create tension. They often have dark lighting to make things look scary, sudden jumps to surprise viewers, and creepy music to set the mood. These techniques help to build suspense and keep the audience on the edge of their seat.
Institutional Conventions – How Is Genre Marketed
Horror films are usually advertised around Halloween when people want to feel scared. Posters often show scary images or hints that the movie has lots of thrills. Trailers focus on shocking moments and spooky scenes to grab attention.
Film Sample 1: Get Out
"Get Out" is a modern horror movie that mixes scares with social issues. It tells the story of Chris, a Black guy who visits his white girlfriend's family, only to find out their dark secrets. The film uses real-life fears about racism and makes the audience uncomfortable in a smart way. The production techniques, like tense music and sudden scares, create a chilling atmosphere.
Film Sample 2: The Conjuring
"The Conjuring" follows ghost hunters who help a family dealing with a scary spirit in their home. This movie uses classic horror elements, like jump scares and creepy settings, to build tension. The strong characters and real-life background for the story make it both interesting and scary.
List of Other Film Examples
1. A Nightmare on Elm Street - A classic slasher film about a killer who attacks in dreams.
2. The Shining - A haunted hotel story with psychological horror.
3. Hereditary - A family drama mixed with supernatural scares.
4. It Follows - A unique horror story about a curse that follows you.
5. Psycho - A classic that set the stage for many horror films.
6. Scream - A slasher film that also jokes about horror movie clichés.
7. A Quiet Place - A tense thriller where making noise can get you killed.
