Definition of horror
“Horror films are designed to frighten and to invoke our hidden worst fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining us at the same time in a cathartic experience. Horror films feature a wide range of styles, from the earliest silent Nosferatu classic, to today's CGI monsters and deranged humans. They are often combined with science fiction when the menace or monster is related to a corruption of technology, or when Earth is threatened by aliens. The fantasy and supernatural film genres are not usually synonymous with the horror genre. There are many sub-genres of horror: slasher, teen terror, serial killers, satanic, Dracula, Frankenstein, etc. See this site's Scariest Film Moments and Scenes collection - illustrated.”
Definition of thriller
“Thrillers are often hybrids with other genres - there are action-thrillers, crime-caper thrillers, western-thrillers, film-noir thrillers, even romantic comedy-thrillers. Another closely-related genre is the horror film genre. Thriller and suspense films are virtually synonymous and interchangeable categorizations. They are types of films known to promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension. The acclaimed Master of Suspense is Alfred Hitchcock. Spy films may be considered a type of thriller/suspense film.”
Horror films are designed to:
· frighten and panic
· cause dread and alarm
· be an intense experience
· draw upon an audiences worst hidden fears
· shock
Difference between horror and thriller
Thriller highly relies upon the ‘jump’ factor of a film in order to entice the audience whereas Horror is more dependent upon the goriness to interest the specific audience. This also could affect the target audience as stereotypically horror would be aimed at a younger audience due to the raw violence shown and the interest that a younger audience today would have in this.
Conventions of a horror film
· There’s always a lead character, that often results as the survivor in the film
· The Killer / monster often has a trademark characteristic in the way he/she kills e.g. the victims or weapon used
· They predominantly feature good against evil and the two characters conflict
· The “goodie” always comes out on top or defeats the “baddie”
Examples of Horror films:
· Dawn of the Dead
· The Shining
· The Exorcist
· Frankenstein
· Halloween
· Saw
