This is my research into the representations of different groups in horror films. I have completed this as part of my A2 media coursework.

1. Representations In Horror Films
In the horror genre, there are trends of how different groups are represented. There are reflected in
the trailers, posters and magazine covers subsequently created.

2. Gender- Female
In horror films, women are usually the victims. The stereotype of women being the more vulnerable
gender lends itself to these films as it makes the villain seem more powerful when juxtaposed with
a symbol of weakness while encouraging the audience to root for them. They are also seen as more
emotional so can express their fear more visually, which is, once again, ideal for a horror film. When
the psychological element is added, both the emotional and vulnerable nature of the female character
is often exploited in order to ‘get in their heads’.
An example of this is in the psychological thriller ‘Before I Go To Sleep’ in which the main
characters amnesia creates another layer of vulnerability to the situation in which she is at the
whims of the men caring for her, be it her secret doctor or untrustworthy husband. The emotions of
her once having a son and her past relationships are used to manipulate how she feels.

3. Gender- Female
Women are also sexualised in these films. Both Laura Mulvey’s and John Berger’s media theories
state that women are used in media to be objectified for men. This is particularly evident in horror
films as it would be logically inappropriate to mix sexual appeal and gore/ threat and yet, it is. The
women are often in skimpy clothes or even engaging in sexual activity in the movies. One example
of this is the 2015 film ‘It Follows’ in which a monster follows you if the curse is passed to you via
sexual intercourse.
As victims, women also usually end up with rips in clothes or even items of
clothing removed throughout the film, adding to this sexualisation.
It Follows- 2015

4. Gender- Male
Men are usually the villainous characters in horror movies. As men are stereotypically aggressive
and violent, they are expected to be the ones wiling to commit the crimes. Even when given a
motive based in psychological/ emotional issues or trauma, they have a brash and violent response,
often through ignorance, implying they are illogical and impulsive.
An example of this is in the 2012 film ‘The House At The End Of The Street’, in which the character
Ryan copes with the loss of his family by kidnapping women so he can pretend that they’re his
sister.
The House At The End Of The
Street- 2012

5. Gender- Transgender/ Non-
BinaryTransgender/ Non-Binary people have almost no representations in horror films as they are simply
not featured. In the media as a whole, transgender people have 0.5% representation. In horror films,
there are very few examples of transgender people being included and when they are, they are
usually offensive on some level, as they are not portrayed as ‘normal’ lie the other characters.
For example, The Silence Of The Lambs is seen as being transphobic
as the serial killer Buffalo Bill was rejected from having a sex change
operation to become a woman so kills women and takes their skin.
Many accuse the film of using binary gender as a symbol of innocence
while the transgender character is psychotic.
The Silence Of The Lambs- 1991

6. Ethnicity- American Dominance
As America dominates the film industry, the vast majority of characters are American. As a result,
no particular divide is caused in their representation as the victims and perpetrators are both
American so there is no implied innocence or malice.
This does, however, mean that practically all other nationalities are underrepresented. When another
nationality is included, they are usually a European villain. This makes them seem alien and
threatening, such as in The Human Centipede, the surgeon is German.
When other cultures are not included, these films may reflect badly
on the US as a whole, as all these bad events seem to take place there.
For instance, when the release of The Purge: Election Year coincided with
the US Presidential Election, comparisons were made between the plot and
the real campaigns, saying that The Purge seems like a Trump policy.

7. Ethnicity- Black and White
AmericansIn these films, even though the characters are predominantly American, there are different
representations of different skin colours.
It is proposed that black characters are almost always the first to die in a horror film. This creates a
stereotypical role for characters of this ethnicity to follow. There are usually very few black
characters (if any) so if they die at the start, there are often only white characters left to continue
the story. There is a risk that black characters are therefore represented as
a plot device and otherwise unimportant, whereas the other white victims
(who you would become more attached to during the film) have a more
meaningful death.

8. Age- Children
Children are commonly used as frightening characters in horror movies with themes of possession.
This is because the evil of the possessor contrasts the innocence of the child so causes a sinister
tone. It also causes contradicting emotions for the victims as they are often the carers of the child so
don’t want to hurt them but must protect themselves.
In other films, such as psychological thrillers, the innocence of children is used in its naivety. These
children usually tell the adults of what they have seen or can see something the adults can’t, but
remain ignorant of the significance of their knowledge and don’t
know what to do with it.
An example of this is the child in The Shining having visions.
The Shining-
1980

9. Age- Young Adults (16 to 24 year
olds)The main characters in many horror films are of this age range. This is because it is the target
audience and by creating characters that the audience can relate to, they become more involved and
engaged with the plot as they can imagine themselves in that situation. For example, in Unfriended,
the initial situation is typical of the audience’s age group so they compare their lives/ routines to it.
This age works well as the characters are seen as ignorantly brave and physically fit so will attempt
to fight or escape the antagonist. Their remaining vulnerability, however, makes the audience want
to protect them and their lack of experience may cause them to
make bad decisions which cause ideal situations for horror
films to occur.
Unfriended-
2014

10. Age- Adults
Adults are usually the antagonists in horror films. As, from the perspective of many young people
(who would make up the target audience), they are often bitter, see themselves in a position of
power and controlling, they are seen as the most likely group to have reason to commit such crimes.
They are also more likely to have past experience which either causes a random act or has perfected
a reusable technique, as in Saw.
The superior adult figure can usually physically overpower the younger victims, which builds tension
as they must outsmart the perpetrator to escape, rather than simply confront them.
Both of these points are evident in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre-
1974

11. Age- Elderly
Elderly people don’t usually appear in horror films. However, when they do, they are usually unwell
or possessed in some way so become evil characters. They are very rarely the main antagonist but a
good example of then there is an elderly main character is in The Taking Of Deborah Logan.
Deborah Logan is an Alzheimer’s sufferer and a documentary team are filming her as her symptoms
worsen. Her behaviour becomes stranger as the film goes on and she becomes essentially possessed.
This shows the elderly as senile and easily manipulated.
The Taking Of Deborah Logan-
2014

12. Class
Most characters are middle class as these are seen as ‘normal people’, so that the audience can
identify with them and become more involved and, consequently, more scared, as they believe the
events of the film may happen to them.
Upper class characters are used in some films, as their luxurious lifestyles then contrast the events
which occur. This also offers the opportunity for emotional motives such as jealousy or retribution.
Lower classes of people are often used as victims. This is either because they’re vulnerable or to
highlight their mistreatment from society.
Both the upper and lower classes are evident in The Purge as an upper class family are attacked for
jealousy from their neighbours and a homeless man is hunted as he is seen as worthless.
The Purge- 2013

13. Size
The characters in horror films are almost always skinny and slender. This is because the characters
are designed to be desirable to keep the interest of the audience. This is particularly true of the
women. As a result, under-average women are seen as desirable while curvier women are ignored.
Overweight men are sometimes featured but don’t have positive representations. Usually, if they are
younger, they are seen as slow, stupid and an easy target so will die and is never one of the few to
survive, such as in Unfriended. If they are older, they are usually seen as creepy or perverted in
some sense, such as in The Human Centipede 2. As a result, a negative opinion is built of men
who’s weight is above average.
Unfriended- 2014
The Human
Centipede
2- 2011

14. ReligionAs American industries dominate the production of film, it is rare that a religion other than
Christianity is featured, if any are featured at all for that matter. Most horror films avoid religion all
together, but those which revolve around possession will often use Christianity in the sense of old
fashioned traditions such as exorcisms. This creates a negative reflection on religion as something to
be feared, as anti-Christ symbols are used in films like The Conjuring 2 before a demon appears.
Conservatively religious values, however, are often seen encoded into horror films. For example, in a
lot of horror films, when young people engage in sexual activity, they are punished for it in some
way, such as in It Follows or Friday the 13th. It has been suggested that this is to reinforce the idea
of ‘saving yourself’’ until an older age/ more serious relationship. Other films, such as Saw, have
people punished for their bad actions, like drug addicts.
The Conjuring 2- 2016

15. Sexuality
Although homosexuality is more acceptable in recent times than the past but non-heterosexual
individuals do not get equal representation to their proportion. In horror films, there are very few
examples of instances when characters are openly homosexual. Many characters are shown in
performing some kind of heterosexual activity- as previously discussed. This can lead to the
continuation of the notion that non-heterosexuals are ‘abnormal’ in some way as they are not shown
in the same way as others. There are a few examples of times when there is more than one woman
in a sexual act with one man, but this is not portrayed as homosexuality as both of the women are
focused on the man rather than each other. An example of this is in Knock Knock where a man is
manipulated by two women through their sexuality.
Knock Knock- 2015

16. DisabilityDisabled characters are used in horror films to add suspense to the film or help form the plot.
Physically disabled people are almost always missing a sense rather than, for example, something
that limits their movement. This is because limited movement may render them somewhat helpless
in terms of the story whereas a missing sense means that there is a challenge in identifying the
threat which they can otherwise defeat, such as in Hush (the victim is deaf). Any limiting movement
comes from within the film as a result of the antagonist. Mentally disabled people have this same
exploitation, in which disabilities are only used if it aids the plot, such as ‘hearing voices’ or ‘seeing
things’ in terms of possession films, like the earlier discussed The Taking Of Deborah Logan. On the
other hand, common mental illnesses such as depression are ignored.
Hush- 2016

17. In Conclusion…
•The representation of characters in horror films is limited to what
is most appealing to the audience or what is most useful to the
story.
•This can lead to the marginalisation of many groups within
media.
•The limited opportunities within film production also limit the
representation of different groups.