2. • Knives are one of the most popular props across all subgenres
of horror. The knife symbolises anger, and is used to represent
death or torture. The people who use this prop are usually
the antagonists when they are showing power or authority
over innocent victims. Films such as ‘Scream’ feature a knife
with a curved blade, emphasising how much more painful it
will be entering a person’s flesh, than just a normal
conventional knife. Also, knives that are used are usually blunt
resulting in a pro- longed incision, which will cause the victim
to suffer more during death. A blood stained knife is much
more frightening than a clean, unblemished knife as it gives
and impression of already injuring or taking the life of another
person before it has been turn on you, the victim. This makes
the person holding the knife seem more threatening as he has
evidently already killed or injured someone and will just as
relentlessly kill or hurt you too. Axes are used alongside
knives in horror films. Conventionally, axes are used to
slaughter animals and so using this weapon in a slasher would
imply that the antagonist (usually male) cares little about the
victims that are killed, thus asserting his dominance upon
them.
3. • Typically featured in supernatural films, Ouija boards are used to
contact the dead or spirits of loved ones, but are most famous for
opening a gateway for evil spirits to enter the lives of anyone playing.
When this happens, the evil essence can possess the victim and cause
substantial amounts of damage. Because of this element,
supernatural films have used this symbol of the board to alert viewers
of what could happen giving them a clue of how evil may enter its
way in. The added effect of the Ouija board helps bring mystery to the
movie as the characters and viewers don’t know what kind of spirit
will be at the other end, leaving the audience fearing the unknown.
4. • Again, an example of a famous prop used in supernatural films. It is done to
provoke feelings of fear from very innocent objects. Dolls for example have
a ‘dead’ quality to them that can be creepy since their eyes are open, and
they are often smiling and lifelike. It is the ultimate dichotomy that brings
to mind a corpse of a child. Dolls are considered creepy because we expect
them to be our playmates and best friends when we are at a young and
vulnerable age. We are the ones, who completely control their actions, so
for them to get up and run around the house on their own, or try to
murder us, leaves us feeling powerless and terrified. Other toys such as
music boxes are particularly terrifying because the idea of something
innocent being juxtaposed, makes the audience feel extremely uneasy.
5. • Masks are a basic prop used in any slasher movie. Films have become
creative with the types of masks they use, for example, the
conventional plastic mask is replaced by masks made of other peoples
faces, or human skin. The mask is used to hide the identity of the
antagonist, leaving enigmas for the audience, encouraging them to
watch on as the mystery unfolds. People are afraid of masks because
for many, the idea of being murdered by an unidentifiable stranger
for no reason is more terrifying than being killed by someone you do
know, and for some good reason.
• Our brains are specialized for recognising faces; we identify each
other by our faces. A person's face provides a wealth of information;
within seconds of seeing a person's face we immediately know much
about him or her (including gender, age, disability, race, etc.) and can
fairly accurately guess much more (economic status, emotional state,
overall health etc.).
• Information is a form of power, and film director want the victims—
and therefore the audience — to feel powerless against the masked
horrors of their films.
