This document discusses various genres and subgenres of film. It begins by defining the horror genre, noting that horror films aim to create a sense of fear through disturbing representations of nightmares and evil forces. It provides examples of classic horror films and describes common tropes like ghosts, violence, and overlapping with other genres. The document then outlines several horror subgenres like slasher, supernatural, and zombie films. It also discusses common stereotypical characters found in horror movies. Similarly, it defines the comedy and fantasy genres, provides examples and subgenres for each, and briefly mentions some stereotypical characters often seen in comedy and fantasy films.

1. Genre
By
Chelsea Higgins

2. Horror
Horror is a genre that aims to create a sense of fear; panic and alarm for the audience. These films are often disturbing and rely on scaring the
audience through a representation of their worst fears and nightmares. Horror films usually centre on the appearance of an evil force; person or event.
Many Horror films include mythological creatures such as ghosts; vampires and zombies. Traditionally, horror films include a large amount of violence
and gore into the plot. Though it has its own style, horror film often overlaps into Fantasy; Thriller and Science-Fiction genres.
Examples of Horror Film:
A Nightmare on Elm Street - Freddy Krueger, an evil being from another world, stalks a group of teenagers and kills them through their dreams.
Saw - Two men are held hostage by a psychopath, who is set on teaching his victims the value of life by putting them into demented life or death
games.
Friday the 13th - While trying to re-open a summer camp, a group of camp counsellors are mysteriously murdered by a machete swinging slasher.

3. Horror has a wide variety of different types of horror. Here are some Sub-Genre’s of Horror:
Comedy-Horror
Comedy-Horror combines comedy with the traditional horror movie themes and characters. Comedy-Horror films aim to scare the audience, but also provide comical outlets that let the audience laugh at their
fear.
Examples: Beetlejuice, Zombieland, Shaun of the Dead.
Teen-Horror
Teen-Horror is a sub-genre that revolves entirely around a teenager or a group of teenagers. Stereotypically, these movies have a large cast and a clear hero .Teen-Horror films often play upon traditional
teenage issues, which includes dating and prom and then turns them into thrilling situations.
Examples: I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scream, Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Monster-Horror
A Monster film is sub-genre of Horror that centres on a struggle between human beings and monsters. Often, the monster in the film has been created in an “experiment gone wrong.” The monster usually
assists as a villain and the film portrays a hero that ultimately saves the world from the monster. Although these movies commonly fall into the Horror genre, Monster films have a long tradition with Science-
Fiction and Fantasy films.
Examples: Aliens, Godzilla, Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Slasher
Slasher film is a sub-genre of Horror film that revolves around a psychopathic killer. This killer stalks and murders his victims in extremely violent and memorable ways. Though it centres on a specific killer, the
violence is what sets Slasher films apart from other horror films. A Slasher film will devote more screen time to portray murder and mayhem than a traditional Horror film.
Examples: Halloween, My Bloody Valentine, Black Christmas.
Supernatural-Horror
Supernatural-Horror film is a sub-genre that includes ghosts, demons, or other depictions of supernatural occurrences. Often, Supernatural-Horror films combine elements of religion into the plot. Common
themes in Supernatural-Horror films include the afterlife, the devil, and demonic possession. Unlike Religious Thrillers, Supernatural-Horror films are not limited to specific religious basics and can contain more
vivid and gruesome violence.
Examples: The Exorcist, The Ring, The Omen.
Zombie-Horror
Zombie horror is a sub-genre of a Horror film that portrays mindless human beings who are raised from the dead. These films often include a Zombie invasion, and centre around Zombies feasting on human
flesh. The plot of a Zombie film then revolves around the struggle between the living, and the living-dead. Zombie films not only falls into the Horror genre but Sci-Fi, Thriller and Comedy.
Examples: Night of the Living Dead, Shaun of the Dead, 28 Days Later.

4. Stereotypical characters in horror
films

5. The Female Victim
In most horror films, there is always a female victim and they are portrayed as being
vulnerable and in need of protection. This representation occurs in films due to being
dated back to earlier horror films that were made in a more sexist era, and the idea
continued. The women, is usually young, blonde and attractive, which helps appeal to
a wider male audience. This character is often portrayed to be stupid and annoying,
one of the only characters the audience sometimes will to be killed. Although she is
shown to be dumb, she isn’t typically the first to be killed, but when she is killed, it is
usually gruesome or graphic. This character helps to build up suspense in the
audience, as her behaviour often puts them on edge.

6. Non-Believer
The non-believer can be of either sex but usually it is a male. They are
portrayed as being cocky and at ease. They also convince the other characters
that they are over reacting and that nothing is going on and are typically
overconfident, which usually leads to them being the first to be killed, and
their death will trigger a mass killing of the other characters. At the start, the
audience will listen to this voice of reason and be reassured and calmed
slightly by them. However, when they are shortly after killed, the audience
will panic and all sense of security has gone; nobody is safe.

7. Hero
In horror films, it unusually always tends to be a male character of strong,
masculine build. Although he is the ‘hero’, there aren’t many horror films
where the good wins over evil. In these cases, the hero tends to be the brave
character that goes after the murderer and may not always return. These
characters tend to show little emotion throughout the film and stay strong
and supportive usually for the other characters that cope less well. However,
in more recent horror films, the hero has begun to appear as a female and
makes the film more unpredictable, and challenges the older and traditional
conventions.

8. Hysterical Character
The hysterical character in a horror film usually is a female, they are typically
known to not want to leave the building they are in and this is usually after
witnessing the murder of one of her friends. The other characters try to move
her, but she often breaks down into hysterics and refuses to move. This will
usually either consequence in her staying behind and being killed or all other
characters being hunted down and her saved until last. Either way she is
always killed. This character has quite an impact on the audience and helps to
build up more suspense.

9. Evil Character
Can take many forms; serial killer, demonic possession, ghost, monster (vampire, werewolf, zombie etc.)
If they are human they will often wear a mask where they are disguising them completely of appearance or emotion which leaves
the audience with no connection to them whatsoever. Wearing a mask also plays on the fear of the unknown. They will never
react in a normal way to injuries which means if they were to be stabbed, they usually manage to get back up again unharmed,
hinting towards the idea of them being inhuman.
Any other type of killer, such as a monster or demon also plays on the fear of the unknown, and as there is never any solid proof
that they do not exist, they play on the audiences more primal fears and the thought that they could actually be all around at
night. This character obviously has the biggest impact on the audience and strikes fear into them. They are what the suspension
throughout the film and all other codes and conventions have been building up to.

10. Loved up Couple
Male and female characters are usually seen all over each other when they are killed.
They are typically away from the rest of the group when the first murder occurs which
means they don’t know that there is a killer out there. They are usually no paying
attention and focusing on each other that they don’t notice the killer, even when he is
close to them. At this point of the scene, the audience are often shouting at the
characters and are frustrated at how unaware they are. They are usually killed just as
they are about to have sex. They have an impact on the audience putting the audience
on the edge of their seat, building up tension.

11. Comedy
Comedy is a genre of film that uses humour as a driving force. The aim of a comedy film is to illicit laughter from the audience through entertaining
stories and characters. Although the comedy film may take on some serious material, most have a happy ending. Comedy film has the tendency to
become a hybrid sub-genre because humour can be incorporated into many other genres. Comedies are more likely than other films to fall back on the
success and popularity of an individual star.
Examples of Comedy Film:
Groundhog Day - A grumpy weatherman finds himself living the same day over and over again.
The Princess Bride - A farm boy must save Princess Buttercup from a forced marriage to the nasty Prince Humperdinck.
Happy Gilmore - A reject hockey player takes up golf in order to save his grandmother’s house.

12. Action-Comedy
Action Comedy combines action with humour. Action-Comedy relies on the characters to bring out the humour, while the action scenes tend to be less intense
than in the traditional action movie.
Examples: Beverly Hills Cop, Rush Hour, Hot Fuzz.
Black-Comedy
Black Comedy is a sub-genre of both Comedy and Satire. Black Comedy takes topics and situations that are commonly held serious and explores them in a
comical way. Because of this approach, Black Comedies often cause the audience to laugh and feel uncomfortable simultaneously.
Examples: Fargo, Harold and Maude, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
Horror-Comedy
Horror-Comedy combines comedy with traditional horror movie themes and characters. Because of the subject matter, Horror-Comedy films can cross over into
the Black Comedy sub-genre. Horror-Comedy films aim to scare the audience, but also provide comical outlets that let the audience laugh at their fear.
Examples: Beetlejuice, Zombieland, Shaun of the Dead.
Parody/Spoof
Parody/Spoof is a sub-genre of Comedy film that bases itself in reality. These films impersonate, ridicule, or scoff at serious situations and people. These films
rely heavily on satire and can be used as a means of social or political commentary. Parody/Spoof films can also take the form in a fake documentary called a
“Mockumentary.”
Examples: Life of Brian, Naked Gun, Scary Movie.
Romantic-Comedy
Romantic-Comedy is a genre that attempts to catch the viewer’s heart with the combination of love and humor. This sub-genre is light-hearted and usually
places the two protagonists in humorous situation. Romantic-Comedy film revolves around a romantic ideal, such as true love. In the end, the ideal triumphs
over the situation or obstacle, thus creating a happy ending.
Examples: Roman Holiday, When Harry Met Sally, Knocked Up.
Comedy has a wide variety of different types of horror. Here are some Sub-Genre’s of comedy:

13. Stereotypical characters in comedy
films

14. There are so many different types of stereotypical characters in
different comedy films. For example, in romantic comedy, the
humour usually tends to happen between either one of those
characters. In horror comedy, the humour tends to occur to the
victim and the situations they get themselves into.

15. Fantasy
Fantasy film is a genre that incorporates imaginative and fantastic themes. These themes usually involve magic, supernatural events, or fantasy worlds.
Although it is its own distinct genre, these films can overlap into the horror and science fiction genres. Unlike science fiction, a fantasy film does not need
to be rooted in fact. This element allows the audience to be transported into a new and unique world. Often, these films centre on an ordinary hero in an
extraordinary situation.
Examples of Fantasy Film:
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - When a young hobbit is trusted with an ancient ring, he must travel to fires of Mount Doom in order to
destroy it.
Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope - Luke Skywalker joins the Rebel Alliance and tries to save Princess Leia from the sinister Darth Vader.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - After discovering his true identity as a wizard, Harry Potter takes on adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry.

16. Bangsian Fantasy
Bangsian Fantasy is a sub-genre of film that includes a plot that revolves around the afterlife. These films explore
the concepts of Heaven and Hell, through different religious sects. Often, Bangsian Fantasy will incorporate Greek
themes. Many films in this sub-genre base characters off of living beings.
Examples: The Lovely Bones, What Dreams May Come, A Matter of Life and Death.
High Fantasy
High Fantasy is a sub-genre that highlights a developed fantasy world. These films tend to be more complex than
regular fantasy films. The complexity shows itself through highly woven story lines and intense character
development. High Fantasy films can be based on novels and therefore have a cult following of fans. Many of these
films will have sequels and prequels.
Examples: The Chronicles of Narnia, The NeverEnding Story, Eragon.
Sword and Sorcery
Unlike High Fantasy film, Sword and Sorcery films tend to be more plot-driven. These films rely on heavy action
and battle scenes. Common themes in Sword and Sorcery films include a rescue mission, saving a princess, and
battling a fantastical monster. The worlds and characters in these films are often much less developed than in
other fantasy sub-genres. Of all the Fantasy sub-genres, Sword and Sorcery is most likely to be geared towards a
younger audience, as many of these films are animated.
Examples: Conan the Barbarian, The Sword in the Stone, Legend.
Fantasy also has a wide variety of different types of horror. Here are some Sub-Genre’s of fantasy:

17. Stereotypical characters in fantasy
films

18. Similarly to comedy, there are various different characters which
can occur into the ‘fantasy’ genre. For example, there are loads
of different scenarios and ideas of mystical characters and the
different quests the characters may have to face.