The document summarizes the genre conventions, characters, settings, props, plots, themes, and narrative structures of three horror films: Eden Lake, Scream, and The Cabin in the Woods. Eden Lake follows a couple terrorized by youths in the woods who are ultimately killed. Scream features a serial killer targeting teenagers as a young girl and cop investigate. The Cabin in the Woods sees teenagers in an isolated cabin attacked by zombies while unknowingly being controlled by scientists.

1. Eden Lake
Genre Conventions:
Characters: Happy Couple, Gang of Loutish Youths & Parents (Boyfriend is the helper)
Setting: Woods, Cabin, Lake, House
Props: Cars, Weapons – Shank, Petrol (Fire), Chains, Barbed wire, Axe, Shaving Knife,
Plot: Happy Couple go away for romantic weekend by the lake/woods, Loutish Youths terrorise them
and steal their possessions/car. Couple confront youths and accidently kill dogs and are then
tortured and hunted down by youths.
Theme: Revenge
Narrative Structure:
Breaks Narrative structures as there is no resolution or disruption phase. The bad guys win and the
victims all die
Scream
Genre Conventions:
Characters: Group of carefree teenagers, Masked Serial Killer, Dead Mum & High School Lovers,
Setting: Unsupervised House, Party, Garden, Late at night, Quiet Town
Props: Knife, Phone, Locked Door, Smashed Glass, Mask,
Plot: One year after Sidney’s mum’s death, a killer starts killing high school teenagers. A young
teenage girl, eccentric cop and ambitious reporter try to investigate the murders. A strange number
of event s happen including an accused killer, a suspicious boyfriend, discovered love and attraction
and the mysterious killer with a ghost face mask.
Theme: Childhood Issues
Narrative Structure:
Typical 3 act structure, Equilibrium to Disequilibrium then Climax as Sidney and Masked Killer
Conflict, Main Character Survives which leaves opportunity for sequel.
The Cabin In the Woods
Genre Conventions:
Characters: Carefree teenagers (Dumb Blonde, Jock, Stoner, Virgin, Intellectual), Incest Religious
Zombie Killers, Scientists (Helper is holden)

2. Setting: Woods, Isolated Cabin, Lake, Lab, Cellar
Props: Van, Bear Trap, Drink & Drugs, Old Diary,
Plot: 5 teenagers go on a vacation to a cabin in the woods, discover abandoned cellar and are
attacked by zombie family. Killed off one by one. All really being controlled by a group of scientists.
Themes: Cilches, Science gone wrong,