The document discusses several characteristics and conventions of the horror genre that audiences have come to expect based on conventions established in many previous horror films. These include the presence of antagonists who terrorize isolated victims, the use of isolated and abandoned settings, identifiable weapons and costumes for the antagonists, and certain audio cues that build tension and suspense. The upcoming film You're Next is analyzed in terms of how it adheres to and plays with some of these common horror genre conventions and characteristics.

1. Horror

2. The horror genre has specific characteristics that are known to it’s audiences and are
reproduced time after time.
Audiences develop an understanding of horror; they form certain expectations of the
film (a textual schema) and successfully guessing what will happen gives them great
pleasure.
For example in the upcoming horror You’re Next; horror fans will take pleasure in rightly
guessing which victim is killed by the antagonists next.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufUQWpEkbf0

3. Damsels in horrors are typically a blonde female who is often in danger. She is
seen as a sexual icon by male audiences, and usually subsequently is the first
character to die in the film.
The brunette female in horrors although is usually portrayed as a strong
minded character and grows in statue throughout the film. She has to learn to
fend for herself and often is the one who survives or is the last to die.
In the upcoming You’re Next movie (YN) we see the brunette female
represented at first as the least authoritative member of the family or the out
cast as she is positioned on the right of the frame taking photos of other family
members. However later in the trailer we see her fighting back against the
antagonists when others have begged for mercy.
There are fewer heroes in horror than other genres but the hero is the one who
survives, manages to escape, the last to die or the narrative is based around
such as Will Smith in I am legend
The antagonists are rarely seen; that is what builds suspense as they could be
lurking anywhere and end it all at any moment. When their presence is seen
they are portrayed as the devil. Antagonists are hell bent on revenge; in Chukie
the antagonist is angry for his soul being trapped in a doll and goes on a killing
spree.

4. Horror films are usually set in large buildings or locations
isolated from normal civilization such as ghost towns, haunted
houses, mental asylums and hospitals, an aged cabin, large
house or mansion like in YN.
Other locations include woods, graveyards, urban locations like
subways and alleyways.
Isolated locations are to represent a sense of hopelessness that
the victims are trapped and it is only a matter of time before the
antagonists murders them. Locations tend to cover large areas
like mansions as the film would be very short if it was set in a
two bedroomed apartment.
The locations tend to be old and abandoned over a long period
of time suggesting they have a dark history.

5. The most successful horror films are those where the antagonists
has a unique costume that separates them from previous horrors.
Masks in particular are effective, masks are so simple yet can be
so memorable; just look at the Scream mask or Jason Voorhees’
Hockey mask.
In YN they have used dark animal masks. The dysfunction from
the human form and hidden human emotions makes the
antagonists psychologically more deadly.
Other props include religious as the victims desperate plead that
they will compel the demons that are the antagonists. Knives are
very common in horrors as they are gory and build tension. They
are the most popular use of weapon as antagonists have to remain
incognito then when close jump out to end their victims.
Other examples of weapons in horror include chainsaws,
flamethrower, crossbows and axes. Often weapons which create
the most gruesome deaths.

6. Usually in a horror there is echoing church music or a creepy iconic nursery
rhymes like in Nightmare On Elm Street to send shivers down the
audience’s spines.
However the chosen “perfect day” song in YN is unique to a horror. it’s
ironic and sarcastic as the victims lives are being torn apart. It is like the
antagonists are laughing in the victims faces; rubbing salt into their
wounds.
In YN trailer we have the stereotypical heightened sounds of boots of the
antagonists to builds tension as the predators close in on their prey.
We have the “eery” whistling sounds building suspense which drives
audiences hearts racing and the sudden crash and instant darkness to
make audiences jump signifying the reiterated theme of death.
Also a beeping sound is used effectively this signals the inevitable fate of
the victims and their lives are ticking down. It also connotes an explosion
suggesting the film is jam packed with action which excites audiences
making them want to see the film.