Sub-genre explantaion

1. Horror SubGenres

2. Splatter
Splatter is a sub-genre within the horror genre and follows various conventions that individually
illustrate the sub-genre. Splatter-Films deliberately focus on graphic portrayals of gore and graphic
violence and blood.
Films within the splatter genre
include:
Saw
The thing
City of the living dead
Cannibal holocaust
Hostel
The Evil Dead
Street Trash

3. A splatter film is a subgenre of horror film that deliberately focuses on the use of graphic portrayals of
gore,graphic violence and blood. Usually through the use of special effects, the films display a
fascination with the vulnerability of the human body and the theatricality of its mutilation. The term
"splatter cinema" was coined by George A. Romero to describe his film Dawn of the Dead, though
Dawn of the Dead is generally considered by critics to have higher aspirations, such as social
commentary, than to be simply exploitative for its own sake.
During the late 20th and early-21st centuries, the use of graphic violence in cinema has been labeled
"torture porn" by critics most notably by David Edelstein who is thought to have coined the term.Like
their splatter forerunners, "torture porn" films reputedly emphasize depictions of violence, gore,
torture.

4. Conventions of Splatter
Splatter films, according to film critic Michael Arnzen, "self-consciously revel in the special effects of gore as an artform."Where
typical horror films deal with such fears as that of the unknown, the supernatural and the dark, the impetus for fear in a splatter film
comes from physical destruction of the body and the pain accompanying it. There is also an emphasis on visuals, style and
technique, including hyperactive camerawork. Where most horror films have a tendency to re-establish the social and moral order
with good triumphing over evil, splatter films thrive on a lack of order. Arnzen argues that "the spectacle of violence replaces any
pretensions to narrative structure, because gore is the only part of the film that is reliably consistent." These films also often feature
fragmented narratives and direction, including "manic montages full of subject camera movement...cross-cuttings from hunted to
hunter, and ominous juxtapositions and contrasts.

5. SAW
Basic background- The narrative follows John Kramer who was a civil engineer
suffering from colon cancer. After failing a suicide attempt he found appreciation
for his life. He stalks his victims before kidnapping them and once he does he
isolates them in a room and puts them through deadly scenarios which are
known as ‘games’ where they are forced to inflict pain upon themselves or others
in order to escape. The male antagonist hides his identity through using a small
doll to taunt his captives.
This film is typical of its genre because it is very gory,
bloody and violent which are common conventions of
splatter movies. Furthermore, torture devices are used
throughout the film which is another convention used
as it is a weapon of choice for gruesome and graphic
killings linking to the sub-genres excessive amount of
blood.

7. Slasher
The sub genre involves a violent psychopath/serial killers stalking and killing off victims
with a sharp weapon of choice.
Films in the subgenre include:
Scream
Halloween
Nightmare on Elmstreet
My Bloody Valentine
Friday the 13th
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Psycho
I know what you did last summer

8. Slasher
In ‘Slasher’ films, conventional weapons are usually Knives, Axes ,Saws , something that can
deliver the kill quickly. These types of weapons are what gave ‘Slasher’ films their name something
that can slash the victim's. There are two types of environments used in ‘Slasher’ films either a
setting that the characters are familiar with such as a house or high school or a setting that the
characters are unfamiliar with such as an area for camping.Settings that are used frequently, tend
to be secluded, isolated and deserted, these setting add more effect to the film and create as the
victims are isolated paranoia occurs from the stalking of the killer but also the victims being
vulnerable in an unfamiliar setting.
A commonly used setting in more recent ‘Slasher’ films is a high school. This is a setting that the
characters are familiar with, the fact that they are familiar with it makes it more interesting as they
aren’t expecting anything unusual to happen, which creates more tension that the killer stalking
them could be someone they know such as in ‘Scream’ where the killer stalks and kills the victims
of at a high school that the killer is familiar with.

9. Conventions of Slasher
A Final girl trope is used where the surviving victim is the one to bring down the killer, which is conventional to the slasher sub genre in which the
final girl is stereotypically a girl who is very studious, morally conscious and is aware, which is indicates the hard hitting elements in slasher that
teenagers are punished for taboos whereas if they do not commit any taboos such as sex, drinking they will live.
The first character to die are conventionally a sacrificial lamb usually a stereotypical representation of a blonde The more attractive, popular party
girls who have loose morals. They are shown to be provocative in behaviour these conventions allow the audience to engage and relate to the
characters. whereas the final girls are brunettes. These conventions allow the audience to engage and relate to the characters. Slasher films are
mainly aimed at teenagers as the film portrays teenage characters who are reckless and irresponsible which their target audience can relate to.
Main Characters are young adults/teenagers usually students in high school or college. Slasher Films usually have sequels, the killer usually
makes a return. Slasher’ films form a very structured narrative pattern, the narrative is set so that Sequels can be made.
The most recognisable convention of the Slasher sub-genre is the use of a psychotic antagonist who takes satisfaction from killing a group of
teenagers in an inhumane manner. The antagonist plays a big role within a slasher film because it is all about how he will carry out his revenge
killing on a group of reckless teenagers, In terms of appearance the antagonists costume is distinct based on his background information but there
is a basic convention of wearing a mask to conceal his evidence, large clothing to emphasise their strength.
These conventions are used because as a basic human function we try to recognise faces but when this is concealed we fear it because we don't
know what to expect, he's concealing his humanity. The costume that the killer wears will be something dark and bulky with a mask to keep their
identity hidden. The Killers are usually linked with the victim's past. It is always a male that plays the character of the killer and enforces a great
deal of masculinity within the role Killer that males have enough strength to overpower the victims.

10. Scream
Basic Background: A serial killer stalks teenage
victims in the small town of woodsboro following
a recent anniversary of a well known murder. By
calling them through an unknown number and
asking them a series of horror trivial questions,
the killer taunts his victim and stalks them before
killing them off one by one through a gruesome
death.
Conventions:
Slasher movies typically follow a young group of teenagers which are gradually killed off one by one and, as
described above, this convention is used in Scream. This convention is followed due to the target audience of
slasher movies being teeenagers allowing the audience to relate to the movie and feel more scared and
anxious. Additionally, slasher movies have one villain who is usually masked and in dark clothing as to
highlight that they are evil and dangerous which is supported by the connotations of black. This convention is
therefore also followed in the movie Scream. The antagonist conventionally carries one weapon that they use
to kill the group of teeenagers, and the deaths are usually quite gory. The villain in Scream carried the weapon
of a knife which they use to murder its victims, adhering to this sub-genre convention.

12. Psychological
A psychological horror is: A subgenre of horror literature, film, which
relies on the character's fears and/or abnormal psyche to frighten
readers and viewers.
Films within the subgenre include:
● The Silence of the Lambs
● The Shining
● The sixth sense
● American Psycho
● Gothika
● The Blair Witch Project
● Jacob’s Ladder

13. Psychological horror
relies on characters fears
and emotional instability
to build
tension.Psychological
horror aims to create
discomfort by exposing
psychological
vulnerabilities and fears,
such as the hidden parts
of the human psyche
which most people
repress or deny.
Psychological horror
relies on the unknown,
mystery and signs to
create an ominous
feeling, lots of different
events building up the
whole picture.
Psychological horror films generally differ from
the traditional horror film, where the source of
the fear is typically something material, such
as grotesque or horrifying creatures, monsters,
serial killers or aliens, as well as the splatter
film, which derives its frightening effects from
gore and graphic violence in that tension.In
psychological horror films fear is frequently
built through atmosphere, eerie sounds and
exploitation of the viewer's and the character's
psychological fears.

14. Conventions of Psychological
Supernatural horror events are more likely to happen by using the fear and showcasing how men are the real hidden monsters. ‘Based on true
events’ is often used with psychological horror because it tends to be based on factual occurrences in real life. Filmmakers often use this as it
creates the illusion that there is a possibility that the plot can happen to the audience, thus making them want to watch it but also playing of the
fears of the human psyche. They rely on the audience’s mind to create the horror effect.These films tend to rely on the characters beliefs,
fears and other hidden truths about the character/what they have done.
They expose the evil that hides behind normality, but also contains elements of the paranormal genre in which the audience cannot relate
completely. A common convention of this genre is that they tend to involve ordinary people who end up exerting the horror onto other
characters.
Generally, the killer tends to appear normal: there aren’t any physical signs that would make them appear as a killer. Also, in the trailers, the
audience rarely sees the killer's face as this helps to produce mystery and increase suspense. When it comes to the use of weapons in
psychological horror, they tend to not be physical but rather there is a focus on the killer’s twisted mind, which is used to frighten the victims.
Visions, ‘jumpy’ moments etc. are used instead of physical weapons such as guns and knives.

15. Basic Background: In New York City in 1987, a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman
(Christian Bale), lives a second life as a gruesome serial killer by night. This is a biting, wry comedy
examining the elements that make a man a monster.
Conventions- The conventions featured are the
psychologically emotional stability of Patrick who exposes his
vulnerabilities and fears,by becoming a serial killer. The
conventions shows two side to the human psyche one that
appears to function normally in an everyday environment and
the more unstable psyche that makes it appearances in
another environment.Showing that man are scary monsters
themselves. It follows conventional by underlining that even
the most professional and looked up to in society also have
this hidden and darker side to them that is concealed
showing that not everything is shown at first glance.

17. Supernatural
Supernatural-Horror film is a sub-genre that includes ghosts,
demons, or other depictions of supernatural occurrences.
Films within this genre include:
● Child’s play
● The Conjuring
● The Conjuring 2
● The Grudge
● The Babadook
● Paranormal Activity
● The Amityville Horror
● Dead Silence

18. Supernatural
Often, Supernatural-Horror films combine
elements of religion into the plot.
Supernatural films deal with the unknown
questions of life; therefore, they tend to
incorporate religious elements into the plot.
Since they emphasize the unknown,
Supernatural films are considered quite
suspenseful. 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 elements
and can contain more vivid and gruesome
violence.

19. Conventions of Supernatural
The narrative of a supernatural will always contain an equilibrium,
where there is peace and quiet at the beginning but that this
disrupted in the middle by a problem, the narrative then
showcases the problems that need to be faced, the problem is
resolved and the equilibrium is restored again.
The narrative will usually follow a family that have moved to new
house that's isolated and rural, in which the new house that they
are living in has something sinister and evil lurking behind and
strange and unexpected occurrences happen. An innocent object
is often used in a demonic possession such as doll that has
bonded with the child of the family, and a child is usually
possessed. An exorcism is usually performed to cast out the evil
which links back to the reference of religion.

20. The Conjuring
Paranormal investigators Ed and
Lorraine Warren work to help a
family terrorized by a dark presence
in their farmhouse.
Conventions- The narrative follows the typical trope
in supernatural films where a family moves into a new
house with hidden secrets in an isolated area.The
Perron family find mysterious occurrences happening
inside their house such as the clock stopping at
3:07am, banging on the wall three times. After
endless occurrences Carolyn approaches the
Warrens to ask them to inspect the house. After close
inspection it is decided the house needs an exorcism
and cleansing from the evil entity. The narrative
follows the conventions of possession but breaks
away by having an adult being possessed rather than
an innocent child.