Genre Essay; Horror

Genre Essay

by

Niamh Gallagher

HORROR

"THE EXORCIST"

The horror genre has many typical characteristics and conventions that let audiences easily associate these with this specific genre. Setting is extremely important in the horror genre as it helps build the tension and suspense that makes horror films so terrifying; dark, eerily-silent houses at night are especially popular as audiences do not know what lurks in the darkness, making it even more frightening when something jumps out. The Exorcist explores this theme more as the proportion of the film takes place in a house full of shadows and darkness, making it shocking when the demonic girl jumps out screaming. Woods and forests area also used as many films feature the hero/ heroine running through one of them for their life. Another typical setting is a graveyard which is normally filled with spooky things such as ghosts, ghouls and zombies, all creature associated with the horror genre. Graveyards are also a popular as many people are scared of them, and horror films are known to play on people's fears. This is a successful ploy as audiences like to have a response to the film, either emotional, physical or psychological, this helping making the genre as popular and infamous as it is.

Another common element of the horror genre that makes it so recognisable is the mise-en-scene used. This includes props and visual imagery used. Weapons are frequently used to convey terror in horror films as it is an instrument of torture and death and slasher horror films make use of these tools in violent manners. These weapons are often used to create a memorable and unique death in a film, such as in the Saw and Nightmare On Elm Street movies. Blood is also a prevailing feature in the horror genre as it instantly makes the film more gory and terrifying. The birds ravens also feature in many horror films, such as The Birds, as they are associated with death. Ravens also appear in Dracula residing in the derelict castle of the vampire, giving the palace a macabre aura. Religious objects are common as well as they are there to combat dark spirituality and this is a main theme of the Exorcist as the priest character uses a cross to try and expel the demonic entity possessing the young girl. This links to the Binary Opposition of 'Good versus Evil' and of 'Religion versus Demonology'.

Character archetypes commonly used are a strong, female protagonist who is usually the most moral and smartest of the group who has the fight against the antagonist for her life. An example of this is Sidney in the Scream saga. Another common character is a young girl corrupted and possessed by a dark, nefarious entity who has to be exorcised. An example of this Regan from the Exorcist film and the young girl from the Grudge. Another character type is the bimbo, usually a pretty blonde girl, who is the first one to die. An example of this is Paris Hilton's character in House of Wax.

Like with all genres there are actors and directors who are connoted with horror. Eli Roth, director of the Hostel films, is a filmmaker known to spare no expense showing brutal, blood-soaked scenes. Roth is feature in the 'Splat Pack' because of this, the group being directors who are known to make violently-explict films. Other filmmakers featured are Rob Zombie, Robert Rodriquez and James Wan to name a few.