Genre Conventions
Horror 
Comedy Comedy 
Horror 
Fantasy 
Fantasy 
Science Fiction 
Science Fiction 
Comedy 
Horror 
Comedy 
Horror 
Comedy 
Fantasy 
Horror 
Horror 
Horror 
Horror 
Horror 
Horror 
Horror 
Science Fiction 
Science Fiction 
Science Fiction 
Science Fiction 
Science Fiction 
Science Fiction 
Science Fiction 
Fantasy 
Fantasy 
Fantasy 
Fantasy 
Fantasy 
Fantasy 
Fantasy 
Fantasy 
Comedy 
Comedy 
Comedy 
Comedy 
Action and 
Adventure 
Comedy 
Action and 
Adventure 
Action and 
Adventure Action and 
Adventure 
Action and 
Adventure 
Action and 
Adventure 
Action and 
Adventure 
Action and 
Adventure
HORROR 
‘Horror fiction, horror literature and also horror 
fantasy is a genre of literature, which is intended 
to, or has the capacity to frighten, scare, or startle 
its readers by inducing feelings of horror and 
terror.’ 
Horror as a genre aims to create a sense of fear, 
panic, alarm, and dread for the audience. These 
films are often unsettling and rely on scaring the 
audience through a portrayal of their worst fears 
and nightmares. 
Reference: Wikipedia
HORROR- sub genre 
• ACTION HORROR- this is the includes the intrusion of evil, super natural 
and violence. E.g. Ghost Rider 
• BODY HORROR- this includes modifications, dysfunction and unnatural 
effects. E.g. Invasion 
• COMEDY HORROR- this is where two genres combine comedy and horror, 
often uses black comedy. E.g. Scary Movie 
• GOTHIC HORROR- traditional expectations of a horror film, some 
recognizable factors associated with this is dark and supernatural. E.g. 
Frankenstein. 
• PSYCHOLIGICAL HORROR- this relies in the characters and audience 
existing fears and emotional weaknesses. E.g. Jaws. 
• SCI-FI HORROR - often paranormal/ Experiments gone wrong or similar 
ideas. E.g. Alien 
• SLASHER HORROR- this involves large amounts of blood and killings, they 
use large amounts of mystery and suspense. E.g. Prom Night 
• ZOMBIE HORROR- Uses reliving corpse/ mindless humans or paranormal 
beings feeding off the living. E.g. Night Of The Living Dead
PSYCOLOGICAL HORROR 
‘The main facet of a psychological horror film is what isn't shown, not what is.’ 
‘Many psychological thrillers have emerged over the past years, all in various media (film, 
literature, radio, etc.). Despite these very different forms of representation, general 
trends have appeared throughout the narratives. Some of these consistent themes 
include: 
-Reality -Perception -Mind -Existence/Purpose -Identity -Death’ 
There is many other things associated with a psychological horror. One of these being the 
weapons used within the production often in a psychological horror the weapons won’t 
be physical but tend to be more psychological or supernatural. Another common theme 
is the setting it will often be in places like woods, a hospital or a big house, all places 
which create a sense of realism this plays on the idea that the fear within the film is 
created through the fears of the characters or audience. Another common theme is the 
sights you see throughout the film such as flash back, shadowing and silhouettes these 
continue to play on the fears. The sounds which runs throughout the films of these sub 
genre also common they are often contrapuntal, doesn't’t match with the actions on 
screen or selective sound which is where you choose sounds that you especially want the 
audience to take notice on this often adds to experience of the film. 
Reference: Wikipedia, http://www.popmatters.com/post/173980-what-exactly-is-psychological-horror/
EXAMPLES OF PSYCOLOGICAL HORROR 
FILMS

Genre Conventions

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Horror Comedy Comedy Horror Fantasy Fantasy Science Fiction Science Fiction Comedy Horror Comedy Horror Comedy Fantasy Horror Horror Horror Horror Horror Horror Horror Science Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Comedy Comedy Comedy Comedy Action and Adventure Comedy Action and Adventure Action and Adventure Action and Adventure Action and Adventure Action and Adventure Action and Adventure Action and Adventure
  • 3.
    HORROR ‘Horror fiction,horror literature and also horror fantasy is a genre of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten, scare, or startle its readers by inducing feelings of horror and terror.’ Horror as a genre aims to create a sense of fear, panic, alarm, and dread for the audience. These films are often unsettling and rely on scaring the audience through a portrayal of their worst fears and nightmares. Reference: Wikipedia
  • 4.
    HORROR- sub genre • ACTION HORROR- this is the includes the intrusion of evil, super natural and violence. E.g. Ghost Rider • BODY HORROR- this includes modifications, dysfunction and unnatural effects. E.g. Invasion • COMEDY HORROR- this is where two genres combine comedy and horror, often uses black comedy. E.g. Scary Movie • GOTHIC HORROR- traditional expectations of a horror film, some recognizable factors associated with this is dark and supernatural. E.g. Frankenstein. • PSYCHOLIGICAL HORROR- this relies in the characters and audience existing fears and emotional weaknesses. E.g. Jaws. • SCI-FI HORROR - often paranormal/ Experiments gone wrong or similar ideas. E.g. Alien • SLASHER HORROR- this involves large amounts of blood and killings, they use large amounts of mystery and suspense. E.g. Prom Night • ZOMBIE HORROR- Uses reliving corpse/ mindless humans or paranormal beings feeding off the living. E.g. Night Of The Living Dead
  • 5.
    PSYCOLOGICAL HORROR ‘Themain facet of a psychological horror film is what isn't shown, not what is.’ ‘Many psychological thrillers have emerged over the past years, all in various media (film, literature, radio, etc.). Despite these very different forms of representation, general trends have appeared throughout the narratives. Some of these consistent themes include: -Reality -Perception -Mind -Existence/Purpose -Identity -Death’ There is many other things associated with a psychological horror. One of these being the weapons used within the production often in a psychological horror the weapons won’t be physical but tend to be more psychological or supernatural. Another common theme is the setting it will often be in places like woods, a hospital or a big house, all places which create a sense of realism this plays on the idea that the fear within the film is created through the fears of the characters or audience. Another common theme is the sights you see throughout the film such as flash back, shadowing and silhouettes these continue to play on the fears. The sounds which runs throughout the films of these sub genre also common they are often contrapuntal, doesn't’t match with the actions on screen or selective sound which is where you choose sounds that you especially want the audience to take notice on this often adds to experience of the film. Reference: Wikipedia, http://www.popmatters.com/post/173980-what-exactly-is-psychological-horror/
  • 6.