The document outlines various conventions and examples of different genres of horror films, including psychological, supernatural, gore, action, comedy, gothic, and science fiction horrors. It provides conventions like realistic settings, normal-looking killers, and jump scares for psychological horror. Examples given are The Ring and The Shining. Supernatural horrors rely on scare factors and cannot be escaped, with examples like Annabelle and The Blair Witch Project.

2. Conventions of psychological horrors.
 Usually based in a real life scenario. This makes the
story believable and this creates the horror to the
audience as the possibility of it happening it more
likely – ‘based on true events’
 The killer usually appears to be normal looking
(human). This also makes it more life-like.
 Psychological horrors generally use ‘jumpy’ moments
rather than physical violence, as this scares the
audience more.
 Common settings for psychological horror movies are
big, old houses, woodlands, warehouses and schools.
This creates a sense of realism for the audience.
 The victims in psychological horrors will rarely see the
antagonists face, as it creates a sense of mystery.

3. A psychological horror relies on the mind of the
audience to create the horror effect
 The Ring (2002)
The Ring is an American psychological horror movie.
It was a remake of the 1998 Japanese version and
they were both based on the novel Ring by Koji
Suzuki.
 The Shining (1980)
The Shining is a British-American psychological
horror movie directed by Stanley Kubrick. It was
based on the novel ‘The Shining’ by Stephan King.

4. Conventions of supernatural horrors.
 Set in the home of the protagonist or places
close to the main characters e.g workplace
garden, car
–promotes fear of unwanted guests.
– feel uncomfortable in the one place that is safe.
 Supernatural presence is not accepted.
 Cannot escape – terrifying.
 Curses usually effect the main characters.
 Usually, if the place where the ghost is, is a
home, they are usually the past residents.

5. Supernatural horrors rely on the ‘scare factor’ to
engage the audience.
 Annabelle (2014)
Annabelle is an American supernatural horror
movie directed by John R. Leonetti and produced by
James Wan. It is a sequel to The Conjuring (directed
by James Wan)
 The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Blair Witch Project is an American supernatural
horror. It was filmed with a handheld camera, and
when it was released, there was no mention that it
was just a story, which lead the audience to believe
that all of the footage was real.

6. Conventions of gore horrors.
 Displays the vulnerability of the human body
 Physical destruction of the human body
 Displays good vs evil e.g. Jigsaw and Adam
 Hyperactive camera techniques
 Contains fast paced narratives and
juxtapositions.

7. Gore horrors usually focus on graphic portrayals of gore
and graphic violence.
 SAW (2004)
Saw is an American gore horror franchise directed by
James Wan, it contains ‘games’ that the characters have
to play in order to escape, but there is no escape and the
characters usually die. However, in the first film, Adam
survives and then the next movie is based on him and
other ‘Saw’ survivors.
 Final Destination (2000)
Final Destination is a gore horror franchise about
teenagers who try to cheat death. The films were
directed by James Wong. The franchise ends with all of
the characters dying in a train crash.

8. Conventions of action horror
• Male protagonist
• Guns/violence
• Deaths

9.  World War Z (2013)
World War Z is an American action horror film
directed by Mark Forster and is based on the
apocalyptic horror novel by Max Brooks. The film is
about a zombie epidemic that Gerry Lane must find
a way to stop.
 Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Dawn of the Dead is an American action horror film
directed by Zack Snyder. It is a remake of the 1978.
it is about a group of survivors that stay in a
shopping mall while zombies take over.

10. Conventions of comedy horror
 Usually based on an existing horror film. Like a
parody.
 Comedy horror films normally flip stereotypes.

11.  Scary Movie (2000)
Scary Movie is a comedy horror that was directed
by Keenen Ivory Wayans. It makes fun of films such
as Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer,
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Sixth Sense, The
Usual Suspects, The Matrix, The Blair Witch Project,
and Dawson's Creek.
 Shaun of Dead (2004)
Shaun of the Dead is a British comedy directed by
Edgar Wright. It follows Simon Pegg as Shaun, who
has to deal with his friends and family and a zombie
apocalypse.

12. Conventions of gothic horror
 Gothic horror films are normally set in
Victorian/Edwardian times.
 They usually have only one protagonist, and one
antagonist.
 There is always a heavy backstory e.g.
Frankenstein – Dr Frankenstein.

13.  The Woman in Black (2012)
The Woman in Black is a British horror film directed
by James Watkins. It was based on the novel by
Susan Hill. It follows the story of Arthur Kipps and
Eel Marsh House, that is haunted by a ghost of a
woman who wants to avenge the death of her
child.
 Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Sleepy Hollow is an American gothic horror film
directed by Tim Burton. It stars Johnny Depp as a
police constable who is sent to investigate murders.

14. Conventions of science fiction horror
 Usually revolves around subjects that
include alien invasions, mad scientists,
and/or experiments gone wrong.
 Takes place in houses, public or places close
to the character to make the film seem
plausible.

15.  Dark Skies (2013)
Dark Skies is an American science fiction horror film
directed by Scott Stewart. It involves strange
events, supernatural occurrences and investigations
into the unknown.
 Alien (1979)
Alien is a science fiction horror directed by Ridley
Scott. The film is about a highly aggressive creature
that kills a crew of a spaceship.