Mainstream horror films aim to terrify large audiences and make financial profits. They use cultural and gender stereotypes and linear narratives. An example is The Conjuring which targeted students and young adults. Independent horror films want to make viewers think critically rather than focus on popularity. They prioritize artistic expression over commercial success and have less famous actors. The Borderlands is an example as it was independently produced and distributed with no famous people. Independent horror targets older audiences with more complex narratives than mainstream films.

1. Assign 9 – mainstream and independent
horror films and their audiences
Sam Qureshi

2. Mainstream horror films
• Mainstream horror films are designed to make the audience feel
terrified. They also want to get a large audience that would want to
watch it, and, to do this, they have to make the film terrifying so
that more members of their target audience will want to watch it.
• They mainly focus on the financial success.
• They are mainstream because they display cultural or gender-
specific stereotypes and linear narratives.
• For example, The Conjuring (2012). It’s got a large target audience
and it was widely distributed across the globe (mainly in the UK and
the USA).
• Target audience for mainstream horror films, typically, are students
and young adults (15-25 years old).

3. Independent horror films
• Independent horror films are designed to make the viewer think
and ask questions, maybe even criticise what was displayed.
• They are, unlike mainstream horror films, focused on the
expression of art and culture, rather than popularity and success.
• Independent films are rarely shown in big cinemas or feature
famous actors.
• An example of an independent horror film would be The
Borderlands (2013). It doesn’t have any famous actors or film
people and it was distributed and produced by Metrodrome
Distribution (an indie film company)
• Independent cinema targets older viewers because they typically
have more complex and in-depth narratives and focus less on
actually showing blood and gore (which is what mainstream horror
films often focus on).