Horror films draw negative emotional reactions by showing audiences their fears through shocking scenes involving macabre and supernatural themes. They are typically set in isolated and spooky places like woods and haunted houses to create tension. The characters usually include a clever female protagonist who faces an antagonist but doesn't survive, a sexually appealing early victim, a heroic male savior, and a threatening antagonist. Through conflicts and dilemmas, the narrative identifies heroes and lets audiences experience fear and threats. Horror films employ various shot types and musical buildups of tension to emphasize emotions, set scenes, and signal that something frightening is about to happen, exploring themes like revenge, the supernatural, religion, and unresolved childhood issues.

1. Horror
The horror film genre draws a negative emotional reaction from the audience
by showing their fears. Horror films show scenes that shock the viewers.
Macabre and supernatural are the themes in a horror films which is why they
sometimes overlap with different genres such as the fantasy, supernatural and
thriller genres.

2. Setting
Horror films are usually set in the woods,
haunted houses and places that are isolated.
As it’s in spooky places, this creates tension.
Characters
There are many types of characters in the horror genre.
•The protagonist – This is usually a woman who is the most cleverest. The
protagonist is the one who faces the antagonist and does not survive.
•Sex appeal – This character is usually the first to die and is a woman.
•The hero – This character is usually a man and saves the day but the
audience wouldn’t expect him to.
•The antagonist – The antagonist is the killer/villain/antihero. The audience
and other characters feel threatened and fearful towards the antagonist.
Narrative
The narrative of horror films is built from conflict
and dilemmas the main characters go
through. Horror films let the audience identify
who the hero is.

3. Shot types
Horror films show many different shot types such as:
•Extreme Close Up – Emphasises something.
•Close up – shows emotion
•Extreme Long Shot – Sets the scene
Sound
In horror films there are usually a long eerie musical build up of strings/horns. When the
audience hears a build up, they know something is going to happen. Long deep tones
can add tension.
Themes
There are many themes used in horror films such as:
•Revenge
•Supernatural
•Religion
•Childhood issues
•Etc...