Stylistic influences on the horror genre

1. Stylistic influences on the
horror genre
Karishma-Jaina Pandya

2. German expressionism (1920s)
• German Expressionists, had a cynical view of the society in which they
resided due to the disintegration of Germany past WW1. Thus
expressing their mentality in films which contain distorted and warped
views of characters and the setting.
• The fractured composition within these films represent how many
witnessed Germany, a surreal and ambiguous representation. Many
German expressionists portrayed exaggerated perspectives by the use
of chiaroscuro lighting in their films, this high contrast, low lighting
method helps illustrate harsher shadows-create negative moods
through mise-en-scene.

3. • Modern horror contains reminiscent examples of German expression,
by having unusual compositions, in order to suggest the
psychological issues with (usually) the villain. Many modern horrors
still utilise, low lighting, saturated shadows, high contrast colours
and sense of paranoia.
• In addition to this, due to the boom of Hollywood, German
expression directors found it difficult to compete with them,
therefore by the use of mise en scene and symbolism, which added
to the meaning of the film, created ‘German expressionism’.
German expressionism (1920s)

4. • Robert Weine’s 1920 film ‘The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari’ is universally agreed
to be an example of German Expressionism cinema. As this film is an enigma
and contains a combination of cynicism and pessimism.
• Most scenes in ‘The Cabinet of Dr Caligari’ were portrayed in low-key lighting,
along with sharp tone lighting, this effect would create the exaggerated
contrast between light and shadow/white and black, which is also known as
“Chiaoscuro technique”.
• “Dr Caligari, Cesare, or the narrator are mostly screened by sharpened
shadows on their face which may represent their dark side identity or
malicious inner mind of a man.” Which links into Frueds theory of
psychoanalysis, “which mainly focuses on the power of human’s inner mind
..German Expressionist arts were also examining unconsciousness forces which
silently motivate men to do something which are unpredictably turning into
good or evil side.”
German expressionism (1920s)

5. Noir (1940s)
• The meaning of film Noir is “a movie that is marked by a mood of pessimism,
fatalism, menace and cynical characters.” The typical elements found in
these movies include low lighting and a sombre theme.
• The most predominant themes’ of film Noir, are melancholy, alienation,
pessimism, ambiguity, moral corruption, cynicism, desperation and paranoia.
Many ideas which German expressionism hugely partake in.

6. Modern cinema
• Tim Burton’s films contain elements of German expressionism;
Edward Scissorhands (1990)- heavy shadows, unrealistic look,
eerie gothic setting/characters.
• The Dark Knight (2008)- Angular ‘shapes’ in the background. The
narrative of this movie contains reminiscent elements of German
Expressionism, as the most predominant theme is corruption of
those in higher places.
• Devices such as low key lighting are used to convey mystery, and
monsters lurking in shadows. Distortion is also commonly used in
both expressionism and later horror films, employed through
make-up, camera angles, costumes and strange backdrops.