The document discusses several common codes and conventions in typical horror films. It describes how the monster often wears a mask to hide its identity and carries a deadly weapon. A common plotline involves a final girl who is usually the lone survivor and gains confidence over the course of the film. Groups of friends or teens are often hunted by the killer. The first girl to die is usually the most sexually promiscuous. Horror films also typically feature dark, isolated locations that add fear and suspense. Both film noir styles from the 1940s-1950s and German expressionism have influenced the visual styles used in modern horror films.

1. CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF
TYPICAL HORROR FILMS

2. Monster
The Monster often wears a mask to his/hers identity this helps to keep the audience at the
edge of their seats as the masks create suspense and fear of the unknown as well as
keeping the identity of the killer totally hidden until the end of the film when it is
usually expected.
The killer main goal is usually take revenge for something over a childhood trauma which
explains why certain characters in the films are killed.The killer is usually silent and
unstoppable as well as resistant to any sort of pain and doesn't die off at the end even
when it seems like it. It is also a convention for the killer to carry a sharp and deadly
weapon like a knife or chainsaw on their victim.

3. Final Girl
The final girl is the only survivor who is usually a female which is conventional
in slasher films.This term has been introduced by carol j clover who
commented that in these films, the audience begin by sharing the perspective
of the killer but later experience a shift in identification to the final girl.A
common plot line in most horror films include a final girl.
This convention has been observed in many horror films like “The Texas
Chainsaw Massacre”, “Halloween” , “scream” and many more.The final girl is
usually quiet and pure and gains confidence towards the end of the film.

4. Group of Friends/Teens
 The group of friends are hunted by the killers as they are mostly
associated with the killers main victim or they have done something
together that they are getting punished for. Most of the time they
having intercourse when killer decides to confront them.The group
usually consists of both males and females and everyone gets killed
one by one.

5. Benefactor
 The benefactor is the character who holds important imformation
for example they can have knowledge on the killers weapon.Their
main job is to help the final girl and they are usually suspected of
being the murder right until the end of the movie when they
heroically step in to help the final girl defeat the monster.

6. First girl to die
The first person to die in most slasher films is mostly always a
girl and her death can be coded as a sort of a warning that
the killings are beginning and that the peace is officially
being disrupted.The girl is usually the most sexually
promiscuous and dies after engaging in an interaction with
a man. She is portrayed in a sexually desirable way by
wearing certain clothes and behaving in provocative ways

7. Horror locations
 Horror location are often dark isolated places , this is done to add to the
fear and create suspense. In some films the location can be a suburban
house , like done in “Halloween”. Although not usually considered to be
scary location , it adds suspense as it is an area that a lot of people can
associate themselves with and feel safe in.The location usually has
something to do with the monsters/killers childhood or past event in
their life.

8. Film Noir

9. Film Noir
 Film noir is a style of film making used to describe stylish Hollywood crime
dramas particularly ones with , cynical characters. Film noir began in the
early 1940’s and leading up to the 1950’s . It is black and white visual styles
and being developed from German expressionism cinematography. Film
noir films are usually low budget and often don’t major actors.Within these
films there was more of a freedom for creativity and visual experimentation
than in Hollywood cinema.
 As with German expressionism , aspect of film noir can still be seen within
today's cinema especially with horror films.This is due to the fact that the
dark background and use of lighting that created suspense in the 40’s, is still
used to create suspense nowadays which is one of the most important
aspects of a successful horror film. Even up to this day directors such as
Christopher Nolan , Sean Penn or David use film noir within the film noir
genre to create their film films.This particular cinematic style , along with
German expressionism , has been highly influential to filmmakers over the
years

10. German Expressionism

11. German Expressionism
The German expressionism is the movements of creativity taken during
Germany in FirstWorldWar which was during the 1920’s. This was a
time when film directors allowed themselves to express for example
, heavy use of shadows to convey characters emotions and extreme
camera angles were also used with characters in films like the
“metropolis.”And “the background” also is lighting , mise en scene
and architecture in portraying certain emotions in films.This has had
influence on the slasher genre as such aspect are still used in films
It was said to be artistic as they were directed in set pieces and camera
angles reflected upon the characters emotions or inner conflict.