The increase of
Horror film production has risen vastly in today’s modern society. In fact so
much so, that almost every week a local multiplex is showing a film that may be
considered as ‘horror’. The nature of horror comes from the ‘basis of our
nightmares’ so things we may do in life such as sitting round a campfire
telling ghost stories could easily become an opening to a horror story. The
last thing we’d ever want it a real life horror story therefore to watch it
play with your fears has become such a part of our generation especially
through TV, film and graphic novels. (E.g. The Fog 1979). This distinctly divides
the population into two: the first being those who love the thrill of a horror
whilst the other is among those who wouldn’t dare have anything to do with it.
Every horror film follows along the codes and conventions
which has developed further throughout the total production of horror fanatics.
These are used in two ways. The first is the way in which it permits the audience
to recognise a horror genre. Thus therefore making it easier by less explanation
of the plot/characters etc. as we generally know what to anticipate. And
secondly the notion of the genre is useful for the media producers. Certain
types of horror become best sellers within audiences so it allows producers to ‘adopt
and adapt’ what they consider to be winning formulas.
From the 30’s – 70’s horror was considered to be the lowest
of the film world. However Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ (1960) amongst other
films, changed society’s perspective perhaps being one of the first horror films
to be treated seriously. Similarly Jaws, Steven Spielberg (1975) and The Exorcist,
William Friedkin (1973) very quickly joined best sellers. The contrast in the
level of importance of joy that horror started out with to now has vastly
improved as with more technology, books etc. than ever before, audiences are
more open to selecting the types of horror that interest them, rather than the
normal ‘genre’ of horror. Predominantly, this genre is no longer an adult genre
and it is popular within audiences of all ages due to the views/readers. Ghostbusters
is now a cartoon for children whereas beforehand was a horror film for adults,
evidently showing the movement as well as development of the types/conventions
of horror.
This ‘genre’ can then be divided up into different categories
as well as including different elements for example monsters, gothic elements,
the devil incarnate, aliens from outer space, horror characters and horror
comedy. A more general element is the
involvement of women as part of the main storyline, acting on their
vulnerability to present the ‘horror’ as more frightening to the audience. Many
critics have claimed that the horror genre is essentially misogynistic and can
be used to reflect a perspective of demeaning women. Therefore not all these
conventions may necessarily be considered as a good thing, yet the audience
still want to see this occurring in the films. Overall, the horror genre will
always outrage certain members of the community.
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