Horror films follow common patterns in their iconography, or visual symbols, that help identify the genre for viewers. Examples include haunted houses, symbols of death, masks, screaming victims, weapons, and depictions of good and evil. Settings also play an important role, with most horror films taking place at night in dark, isolated locations like abandoned buildings. Character archetypes that commonly appear include monsters, murderers, victims, and those who help rescue victims. Finally, horror films often explore common social themes through their villains, such as fears of the time period when the film was made, and focus on the conflicts and dilemmas faced by main characters.

1. Genre Analysis
Iconography
Iconography in horror films follows a sort of pattern which does not deviate
from the originality and the original format of the genre. There is a very specific
pattern within horror movies as they are set up to address the viewer and to
make the genre identifiable. The connotation of the horror genre tells the viewer
both the good characters, and the evil character, and it also identifies the codes
linked with them. The traditional genre pattern of horror films is still followed in
all horror film. Examples of iconography within horror can be symbolic symbols
including things such as ‘the haunted house’, symbols of death, the disfigured
face or mask, the screaming victim, the murder weapon, the good and the evil
and blood.
Setting
The setting within horror films plays a huge part in the overall film. The horror
film could be set either day or night, depending on the shots being taken and
which setting is needed, but most action within movies traditionally occurs
during the night. The setting is often dark places, sometimes old and creaky
abandoned buildings. The setting within a movie created mood. If a murder was
shot in daylight/broad sunlight it wouldn’t have the same effect and impact on
the audience as it would if it was shot in the nighttime when it is pitch black.
Some examples of settings within horror movies can include old mines, derelict
houses, fields, houses, forests, old farmhouses, and the countryside.
Character
There are always certain characters which we expect to see in a horror movie.
For example:
Ghouls, monsters, zombies, murderers, psychiatric patients, mentally
disturbed, convicts, animals, and even the environment or as
demonstrated within the film final destination, fate.
Dumb characters who falls straight into the trap or gets captured at the
very beginning to provide entertainment for the audience.
Clever character that figures out clues or how to escape the killer.
Always a main character or main set of characters that are hunted down.
The rescuer who helps out the victim.
Themes
Social themes in the horror genre are consistently similar. There is almost a
cause of conflict between the two opposing character types. Some general
themes within horror include:
Slasher – Halloween 1978
Vampire – Van Helsing 2004
Zombie – Dawn of the Dead 1978
Demonic possession – The Excorsist 9173

2. Alien Mind Control – Aliens 1896
The villain is a representation of the person’s fears from that particular era that
the movie was made.
Narrative
“One might say that the true subject of horror, is the struggle for recognition of
all that our civilization represses and oppresses” – Cook, the cinema book, 1985.
Horror is based upon the conflict and dilemmas that the main characters endure.
From the main set of characters, several character types are chosen: the hero and
the heroine, the evil monster and the supporting characters. Horror addresses
the viewer with the expectation that the viewer will identify with the hero
“Horror’s never-never land is bearable because its so entirely rational” Cook, The
Cinema book -1985.
Style
Clothes are often torn or dirty. If there is a killer within the horror then they are
usually wearing things to disguise themselves such as masks. For example,
Michael Myres in Halloween wears a boiler suit and a white mask.
Also, weapons are usually used such as bloody knifes, guns, clubs, and usual
general household objects.
Sometimes, music and sound is used to add tension. There is an audio sequence
within horror films that most people recognize. A long eerie musical build-up of
strings or horns as the victim, for example, approaches a closed door, and then
this is followed by a violent orchestral hit as the victim opens the door to
encounter whatever is behind it. This particular musical cue is very common in
horror films meaning whenever the viewer witnesses this build up, they know
something is going to occur. A long deep tone may indicate tension or a rapid and
bright sequence played by a set of strings may indicate stress or panic –
everything has a sound of its own.