2.4 Horror

Horror films have captivated audiences since cinema's early days, evolving from silent era shockers to modern psychological thrillers. These movies tap into primal fears, using suspense, monsters, and human villains to evoke dread and challenge our sense of safety.

The genre encompasses various subgenres, from slashers to supernatural tales, each with unique elements. Iconic filmmakers like Hitchcock, Carpenter, and Craven have shaped horror's evolution, reflecting societal anxieties and pushing boundaries in storytelling and visual techniques.

Origins of horror films

• Horror films trace their roots back to the early days of cinema, with early examples like Georges Méliès' "The Haunted Castle" (1896) and Thomas Edison's "Frankenstein" (1910)
• German Expressionist films of the 1920s, such as "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1920) and "Nosferatu" (1922), established many of the visual and thematic conventions of the genre
• The Universal Monsters series, beginning with "Dracula" (1931) and "Frankenstein" (1931), popularized horror films and created iconic characters that have endured for decades

Key elements of horror

Building suspense and tension

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• Slowly revealing information or withholding key details to keep the audience guessing and on edge
• Utilizing slow pacing, ominous music, and atmospheric lighting to create a sense of unease
• Employing jump scares or sudden shocks to startle the audience and heighten tension
• Playing on the fear of the unknown by hinting at unseen threats or leaving things to the viewer's imagination

Evoking fear and dread

• Tapping into primal fears such as darkness, isolation, or the threat of bodily harm
• Creating a sense of vulnerability or helplessness in the characters and, by extension, the audience
• Exploiting the uncanny valley effect, where things that appear almost human but not quite right provoke feelings of revulsion or unease
• Using unsettling or disturbing imagery to create a lingering sense of dread that stays with the viewer long after the film has ended

Monsters vs human villains

• Monsters, such as vampires, werewolves, or zombies, often serve as metaphors for societal fears or anxieties (Frankenstein's monster as a cautionary tale about science gone too far)
• Human villains, such as serial killers or psychopaths, can be even more terrifying because they are rooted in reality and remind us of the darkness that can lurk within seemingly ordinary people (Norman Bates in "Psycho")
• Both types of villains challenge our sense of safety and security, forcing us to confront the idea that evil can exist in the world around us

Subgenres of horror

Slasher films

• Characterized by a masked or disfigured killer who stalks and murders a group of people, often in a isolated setting
• Typically feature a "final girl" who survives the killer's rampage and confronts them in the end
• Examples include "Halloween" (1978), "Friday the 13th" (1980), and "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984)

Supernatural horror

• Focuses on threats from beyond the natural world, such as ghosts, demons, or other paranormal entities
• Often explores themes of faith, religion, and the afterlife
• Examples include "The Exorcist" (1973), "The Omen" (1976), and "The Conjuring" (2013)

Psychological horror

• Emphasizes the mental and emotional aspects of fear, often blurring the lines between reality and imagination
• Frequently explores themes of madness, paranoia, and the fragility of the human psyche
• Examples include "Rosemary's Baby" (1968), "The Shining" (1980), and "The Babadook" (2014)

Body horror

• Centers on the fear of bodily transformation, mutation, or violation
• Often features graphic depictions of gore and visceral imagery
• Examples include "The Thing" (1982), "The Fly" (1986), and "Videodrome" (1983)

Found footage horror

• Presents the story as if it were recorded on video by the characters themselves, creating a sense of realism and immediacy
• Often plays on the fear of the unknown by leaving things off-screen or only partially visible
• Examples include "The Blair Witch Project" (1999), "Paranormal Activity" (2007), and "Cloverfield" (2008)

Iconic horror filmmakers

Alfred Hitchcock's contributions

• Known as the "Master of Suspense," Hitchcock's films often explored dark psychological themes and featured innovative visual techniques
• His film "Psycho" (1960) revolutionized the horror genre with its shocking violence and subversion of audience expectations
• Other notable Hitchcock horror films include "The Birds" (1963) and "Vertigo" (1958), which both employ psychological tension and suspense

John Carpenter's influence

• Carpenter's "Halloween" (1978) established many of the conventions of the slasher subgenre and spawned numerous imitators
• His films often feature minimalist scores (often composed by Carpenter himself), atmospheric cinematography, and a sense of impending dread
• Other notable Carpenter horror films include "The Thing" (1982) and "Prince of Darkness" (1987)

Wes Craven's reinvention of horror

• Craven's "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) introduced the iconic villain Freddy Krueger and blurred the lines between dreams and reality
• His "Scream" series (1996-2011) deconstructed the slasher subgenre and featured self-aware, media-savvy characters who commented on horror film tropes
• Other notable Craven horror films include "The Last House on the Left" (1972) and "The Hills Have Eyes" (1977)

Evolution of horror over time

Early silent era horror

• Early horror films were often inspired by Gothic literature and featured supernatural elements and visual tricks
• Examples include "The Student of Prague" (1913), "The Golem" (1915), and "The Phantom of the Opera" (1925)

Universal Monsters of 1930s-1940s

• Universal Studios produced a series of iconic horror films featuring classic monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, The Mummy, and The Wolf Man
• These films established many of the visual and thematic conventions of the genre and created enduring cultural icons
• Notable examples include "Dracula" (1931), "Frankenstein" (1931), "The Mummy" (1932), and "The Wolf Man" (1941)

Hammer Horror of 1950s-1970s

• British studio Hammer Film Productions released a series of gothic horror films that were known for their lush visuals, sexual overtones, and graphic violence
• These films often featured classic monsters but updated them for a new generation of audiences
• Notable examples include "The Curse of Frankenstein" (1957), "Dracula" (1958), and "The Mummy" (1959)

Modern horror from 1970s-present

• Horror films from the 1970s and beyond have pushed boundaries in terms of graphic violence, psychological depth, and social commentary
• The 1970s saw the rise of the slasher subgenre with films like "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974) and "Halloween" (1978)
• The 1980s and 1990s saw the emergence of postmodern horror with films like "The Evil Dead" (1981) and "Scream" (1996)
• The 2000s and beyond have seen a resurgence of supernatural horror with films like "The Ring" (2002), "Paranormal Activity" (2007), and "The Conjuring" (2013)

Themes in horror films

Societal fears and anxieties

• Horror films often reflect the fears and anxieties of the society in which they are produced
• Examples include the fear of nuclear annihilation in the 1950s ("Godzilla"), the fear of communism in the 1950s and 1960s ("Invasion of the Body Snatchers"), and the fear of terrorism in the 2000s ("28 Days Later")

Moral boundaries and taboos

• Horror films often explore the consequences of transgressing moral boundaries or social taboos
• Examples include the dangers of playing God ("Frankenstein"), the perils of sexual promiscuity ("Halloween"), and the consequences of disturbing ancient burial grounds ("Poltergeist")

Confronting the unknown

• Many horror films feature characters confronting the unknown or the unexplainable, whether it be supernatural entities, alien life forms, or the depths of the human psyche
• This theme taps into the primal fear of the unknown and the human desire to understand and control our environment
• Examples include "The Thing" (1982), "The Blair Witch Project" (1999), and "The Babadook" (2014)

Survival and human resilience

• Horror films often feature characters fighting to survive against seemingly insurmountable odds, whether it be against monsters, killers, or the environment itself
• This theme celebrates human resilience and the will to live in the face of adversity
• Examples include "Night of the Living Dead" (1968), "Alien" (1979), and "The Descent" (2005)

Horror film techniques

Cinematography and lighting

• Horror films often use low-key lighting and high contrast to create a sense of mystery and unease
• Tight framing and claustrophobic camera angles can create a sense of confinement and vulnerability
• Handheld camera work and dutch angles can create a sense of disorientation and instability

Sound design and music

• Horror films often use ominous or discordant music to create a sense of dread or impending danger
• Sound effects like creaks, groans, and whispers can create a sense of unseen threats lurking just out of view
• Silence can also be used effectively to create tension and anticipation

Special effects and gore

• Horror films often use special effects to create monsters, gore, and other visceral elements
• Practical effects like prosthetics and animatronics can create a sense of tangible, physical threat
• CGI effects can create more fantastical or surreal elements, but can also be less effective if overused or poorly executed

Editing for scares and shocks

• Horror films often use editing techniques like jump cuts, smash cuts, and rapid montages to create sudden scares or shocks
• Slow buildup followed by sudden release can create a sense of tension and catharsis
• Intercutting between multiple scenes or characters can create a sense of parallel action and escalating danger

Cultural impact of horror

Reflection of societal issues

• Horror films often serve as a reflection of the societal issues and anxieties of their time
• Examples include the fear of technology in the 1950s ("The Fly"), the fear of consumerism in the 1970s ("Dawn of the Dead"), and the fear of social media in the 2010s ("Unfriended")

Catharsis and facing fears

• Horror films can provide a sense of catharsis by allowing audiences to confront and process their fears in a safe, controlled environment
• By facing and surviving the horrors on screen, audiences can feel a sense of mastery over their own fears and anxieties

Controversy and censorship

• Horror films have often been the subject of controversy and censorship due to their graphic violence, sexual content, and disturbing themes
• Examples include the "video nasty" controversy in the UK in the 1980s and the MPAA ratings system in the US
• Censorship can sometimes have the unintended effect of making horror films more alluring or notorious

Influence on popular culture

• Horror films have had a profound influence on popular culture, from fashion and music to art and literature
• Horror iconography like hockey masks, chainsaws, and creepy dolls have become instantly recognizable symbols of fear
• Horror films have inspired countless imitators, parodies, and homages across all media, from "The Simpsons" to "Stranger Things"