...A famous scene from one of the first notable horror films, Nosferatu (1922) Horror is a film genre seeking to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's primal fears. Horror films often feature scenes that startle the viewer; the macabre and the supernatural are frequent themes. Thus they may overlap with the fantasy, supernatural, and thriller genres.[1] Horror films often deal with the viewer's nightmares, hidden fears, revulsions and terror of the unknown. Plots within the horror genre often involve the intrusion of an evil force, event, or personage, commonly of supernatural origin, into the everyday world. Prevalent elements include ghosts, aliens, vampires, werewolves, curses, satanism, demons, gore, torture, vicious animals, monsters, zombies, cannibals, and serial killers. Conversely, movies about the supernatural are not necessarily always horrific.[2] Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 1890s–1920s 1.2 1930s–1940s 1.3 1950s–1960s 1.4 1970s–1980s 1.5 1990s 1.6 2000s 2 Sub-genres 3 Influences 3.1 Influences on society 3.2 Influences internationally 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External links [edit]History [edit]1890s–1920s See also: List of horror films of the 1890s, List of horror films of the 1900s, List of horror films of the 1910s, and List of horror films of the 1920s Lon Chaney, Sr. in The Phantom of the Opera The first depictions of supernatural events appear in several of the silent shorts...
Words: 4774 - Pages: 20
...Horror Movie Haven When watching a horror movie one can escape their everyday life, and even go as far as to imagine themselves as the hero of the film. But that also means that one can imagine themselves as the antagonist of the film. “Why We Crave Horror Movies” is an article in which the author, Stephen King states his position on horror films. Stephen King points out that while some individuals watch horror movies because they are entertaining, horror movies may also be used to help suppress one’s psychopathic tendencies by feeding their craving for real murder. I agree with Stephen King one hundred percent. Not only are horror movies the most entertaining type of films to watch, but society can also use horror films as a therapeutic tool to help suppress their homicidal feelings. In the second paragraph of the article Steven King states “When we pay our four or five bucks and seat ourselves at tenth-row center in a theater showing a horror movie, we are daring the nightmare” (Par. 2). Daring the nightmare to me is only looking for an entertaining situation that I am not normally accustomed to, whether it’s a thrill or just plain terrifying. Horror movies are by far the most entertaining types of films to watch. Whether it’s Children of the Corn or the Blair Witch Project I am always ready to watch a good horror movie because they always leave me satisfied. The suspense, the gore, and the various types of villains in these movies are all reasons why horror movies entertain...
Words: 636 - Pages: 3
...Horror Genre Teresa Gann ENG 225 Introduction to Film Instructor John Thorburn July 4, 2016 Horror Genre Genre theory is used in film studies to assist in the facilitation of the film category. A genre is a type or category (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014). A genre is dependent on the factors varying in story lines and what the audience are expecting. The theory creates shortcuts in the description of the film. A genre theory is useful and efficient in shortening academic works. Horror films seek elicit emotions that is a negative reaction from viewers by playing on the viewer’s primal fear. The horror films often deal with the fears of the viewer, nightmares, revulsion and unknown terrors. The plots of this genre include evil forces, personage or event, into the world we live in. The elements of the story include werewolves, ghosts, demons, serial killers, cannibals, evil witches, monsters, vampires, vicious animals, gore, and extraterrestrials. Genre helps the viewers decide what kind of films they enjoy watching. I will be discussing a summary of the movie Saw, what genre the movie is and what other sub-genres exist in this movie. One film that fits into the genre of horror is Saw. This film was made in 2004 and was directed by James Wan. The stars in the film were Danny Glover, Cary Elwes, and Leigh Whannell. This movie is about a .psychopathic killer who is set on teaching his victims the value of life by...
Words: 1037 - Pages: 5
...July 15, 2013 Horror Movies In Stephen King’s “Why We Crave Horror Movies”, King explains that we all have a mental illness. Although we may have a slightly sick imagination, we typically find a way to satisfy our cravings like watching horror films. He stated that “if we share a brotherhood of man, then we also share an insanity of man… If we are all insane then sanity becomes a matter of degrees.” These statements are very powerful in relating to the article because of how strongly King accuses the audience of being insane. He follows with the different levels of insanity and how well we are at hiding it. It’s the difference between thinking of something horrible and actually acting on it. The author creates an eerie tone throughout the article which allows the audience to feel the strange insanity that he is discussing. Horror films are desired by many different types of people and the cravings come from an inner darkness that we all have; the measure of this bizarre craving all depends on how you choose to get your fix. I feel that those who crave horror movies are people who are searching for an adrenaline rush. Regardless of the frightfulness that I know I am soon to encounter, I often get very excited before watching horror films. I sit with my knees curled up to my chest and hands close to my eyes so that I can hide when something jumps out. Anything involving a paranormal theme, such as ghosts and poltergeists, I will find myself saying “oh my goodness! I want to...
Words: 605 - Pages: 3
...In previous chapters of Philosophy of Horror, author Noel Carroll seeks to understand horror as an artistic concept, exploring its philosophy, narrative conventions, and role as a genre. In doing so, Carroll identifies many fundamental emotional states and narrative requirements, including the use of a monster, and the feeling of dread and disgust. With the use of terror as entertainment, Carroll leads his discussion to the chapter “Why Horror,” where he seeks to explain the paradox of horror where audiences are “attracted to what is repulsive,” developing a balance between the two moral feelings (160). While many other genres instil positive emotional states, like comedy and laughter, it is worth exploring how a genre like horror functions...
Words: 824 - Pages: 4
...Horror films have great attention grabbers, the directors know just how to amplify certain things to keep you interested. Horror films are one of the most dominating genres in film. If you watch a certain type of movie no matter the time of day you will most likely not sleep for at least a day or two, that’s what draws us back to the films we want to feel that feeling that these things really could happen to us but it’s also just a movie. “Horror Films” by Tim Dirks talks about our fears, how if a film is done correctly and isn’t over done with special features but actually “taps into our dreams” it will be a great film. Also “The Nightmare World,” by Stanley J. Solomon states that horror films keeps us protected from our nightmares and he also states the traits of a horror film. The Poltergeist is a film about the Freeling family who moves into a new home because of the dad’s new work but something unexpectedly happens to them but especially their daughter. The characteristic of gradual suspense in Poltergeist can be clearly be seen. For instance, in “The Nightmare World,” Stanley J. Solomon states that horror films are made up of our nightmares, our “abstract fears of destruction and death”. For example, at the beginning of the movie Carol Anne who is the smallest child in the Freeling family, kneels in front of the television and talks to it while the television is gray and frizzy. Carol Anne parents leave it alone thinking she is talking to an imaginary friend or that she...
Words: 495 - Pages: 2
...Barron 1 Jason Barron Professor Azul English 20 April 2013 Addiction To Horror If people are inherently good, how would you explain people’s enjoyment in movies that are filled with murder and gore? A lot of times people do it for the thrill or adrenaline rush. People like thrills, and being scared during a horror movie provides that thrill while ensuring they are completely safe. Being thrilled is actually good for your body and mental health. It relieves stress and tension, and is a very underrated treatment for mild depression. If something scares us our body immediately releases dopamine, endorphins, norepinephrine. Cocaine, which has long been considered the most addictive substance on earth, does nothing more than flood the brain with dopamine. Norepinephrine, on the other hand, mimics the second most addictive drug on earth: which is speed. Our neuro-chemicals are not equal to these illicit drugs. In fact, they're significantly more powerful. The most common endorphin produced by the body is 100 times more powerful than morphine. We become addicted to our own neuro-chemicals; most especially what they cause us to feel. The chemical's natural purpose is for helping a person through a tough or emergency situation. They can provide powerful pain relief and a burst of energy. And it is not only the rush of adrenaline that we become addicted to, it is the wave of relief that Barron 2 we experience one the threat has passed. Adrenaline addiction is...
Words: 564 - Pages: 3
...A Scary Addiction Since the early beginnings of modern film, horror movies have been a very popular genre in societies all around the world. Despite the fact that these types of films have caused many people countless sleepless nights, millions of people wait in line every weekend and pay to see and enjoy the newest horror movie. The immortal popularity of horror movies may be contributed to the fact that they cause their viewers excitation, pleasure and a set of feelings that are uncontrollable and at the same time enjoyable for horror movie fans. Some people enjoy voluntarily anguish, fear and suffering as long as it is not actually happening to them so when they watch these kinds of movies even when they mostly know what to expect during the film, the amount of suspense of how cruel and crude each scene could be, heightens the viewer’s feelings of fear and anxiety, and for many of us the more bloody and terrifying the movie is what makes it so exciting. Stephen King establishes in his writings that “we are all mentally ill.” I think that what they like is the feeling that they can experience strong emotions and fear with the certainty that no harm will come to them because it is the character in the movie that is facing the danger. Also, with this kind of film, they can let their imagination run free and put themselves in the place of the actors to look for a way to escape or trying to find some solutions so they harm will not come to them and in some situations...
Words: 904 - Pages: 4
...then revealed when Su-mi was confronted with her sister’s death, leaving her to fight against the stepmother alone. However, the later confrontation of the real Eun-ji, led to the final twist that Su-mi was in fact fighting her own guilt which was projected on the figure of Eun-ji. 2) Although Ring and A Tale of Two Sisters are of a completely different storyline and background, they both share some similarities in their plot. Firstly, they are both adaptations of their local traditional folklore and thus allowing their local audience to easily relate to the horror. The slight difference is that Ring displayed a richer cultural relation as the director constantly made references to the Japan’s cultural past such as the eruption of volcano and the distraught of wartimes in the viral video. Secondly, in both films, females are portrayed as the strong and powerful figures yet also the source of the films’ horror. In Ring, Reiko was a strong divorced career woman who had to juggle between work and her role as a single parent to her son. She later then became the cause of the widespread of the curse on the viral video (unleashing Sadako,...
Words: 1456 - Pages: 6
...minds, once in a while. King stated that many of us are insane, and that the only thing keeping us from an asylum is the power to keep those sickening thoughts to ourselves. Stephen Kings writing was to explain these natural and human thoughts to the public and critics. That sometimes going to a horror movie is to prove to yourself that you can endure the torture ahead. A horror movie can be best related to a roller coaster, says Stephen King. You wait in that line to go onto to something that will most surely scare you, but, you embrace the fear and prove you are tough enough to do it. In another since, everyone is testing their own limits as to what they can endure. This article is intended for all ages alike, from the very old to the very young. From an early age I can remember always wanting to see a horror movie. But, my parents would not let me see one until they thought I was old enough, which was when I turned twelve and saw the original, “The Thing”. At such and age you are influenced by your peers to see who can keep their eyes open during the scariest scenes. I think that Stephen King targeted all audiences of every age, and to explain why people everywhere enjoy a good horror movie. Some of the external factors in Stephen Kings writing was the facts of real killers who, without remorse, carried out the sick scenes...
Words: 477 - Pages: 2
...What is Horror Fiction? ------------------------------------------------- Before reading the text: ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- - How would you define Horror? --------------------------------------------------------------- From: The Horror Writers Association. (http://www.horror.org/horror-is.htm) That's a difficult question. In recent years the very term has become misleading. If you tell people you write horror fiction, the image that immediately pops into their minds is one of Freddy Krueger or maybe Michael Myers, while you were hoping for Shelley's Frankenstein or Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The popularity of the modern horror film, with its endless scenes of blood and gore, has eclipsed the reality of horror fiction. When you add to that a comprehension of how horror evolved as both a marketing category and a publishing niche during the late eighties -- horror's boom time -- it's easy to understand why answering the question of what today's horror fiction actually is has become so difficult. But let's give it a try, shall we? Webster's Collegiate Dictionary gives the primary definition of horror as "a painful and intense fear, dread, or dismay." It stands to reason then that "horror fiction" is fiction that elicits those emotions in the reader. If we accept this definition, then horror can deal with the mundane or the supernatural, with the fantastic or the normal. It doesn't...
Words: 1780 - Pages: 8
...Examine some of the ways Poe presents horror in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’. Poe presents horror extremely vividly in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’, in variety of ways. One of the ways he does this is through using words such as ‘...revenge...’ This sets a very spooky and unsettling atmosphere right at the beginning of the story, telling readers it will be full of horror. Another way Poe presents horror is through describing how Montresor wants to ‘…punish with impurity.’ This creates an intense feeling of fear and doom, telling us that he has an evil plot in his mind and the worst is yet to happen. The setting also presents horror in ‘The Cask of Amontillado. The fact that it is ‘...dusk...’ adds to the darkness of his intentions and thoughts. It also creates a feeling of fear and suspense as anything could happen in the darkness. Poe presents horror in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ by describing how Montresor’s smile ‘…now was at the thought of his immolation…’ which again lets us into his evil plans and shows us how insincere and conniving his thoughts are. When Montresor refers to Fortunato as ‘My dear fortunato..’ it indeed presents horror as we know he isn’t sincere at all and it is false kindness, which creates an intense feeling of suspense, of what he is going to do to him for his revenge. There is a sense of irony used here which also presents horror when Montresor states ‘…I was fearful of losing a bargain.’ This is ironic as it is Fortunato that should be fearful and...
Words: 791 - Pages: 4
...Horror films, throughout the years of its existence, have taken over as one of the most influential and popular genres of all time. From killer to paranormal to monster movies, horror films have created the “counterculture” aspect of the ideal in hollywood. The ideas of “the hero”, “the happy ending”, and overall “everything will be fine” idea is challenged and experimented against in these films. People enjoy the idea of being scared because for the same reason people laugh and cry, people get scared which is okay because these are FEELINGS and they need to be expressed. Even Though Horror films are exciting and give a cathartic vibe, they have been criticized(especially in the 80s) and portrayed as violent, terrible films that are created...
Words: 315 - Pages: 2
...Horror BOO! Did that scare you? I wouldn’t think so, but I do think that you have been scared by some horror movies before. Horror movies have used a wide range of techniques to stand out amongst all of the other types of movies. There are quite a few horror movies and their style has changed throughout the years. Many things have changed except for the techniques used within them, and trust me there are quite a few, and all of these techniques can show why horror is so much more different than other genres. Each era of horror has had a different way of expressing itself. There were many subgenres. Horror had started off as any normal movie genre should, literature. Things like Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. By this time, the genre...
Words: 1991 - Pages: 8
...with it's economy & the possibilty of a great future for the people that live in it. Then the other America, which isn't too far away from the first America, looks like it lacks a future for the people in it. He then goes in greater detail on how America is seems to divide itself between the rich and the poor. He talks about how capitalism is the down fall of us, how capitalism measures things by profit. Mr.Simon understands the functioing and neccesary of unions. Unions were what brought people togther when they felt injustice was amoung them. Unions helped workers realize that they were worth more and that they had to stand up for themselves if they wanted to be treated equally. More or less, Mr.Simon talks aout how America is becoming "a horror show" because it's killing its self. He uses examples such as the hunting of the underclass and how basic services are being cut off like public education. Not only is America killing itself but its also punishing its people. The imprisonment rate in America is higher then any other county on earth. These facts are facts that many people are aware of but rarely are they put together in such a way that strikes us with grief and fear as the way that Mr.Simon has done. Finally, he talks about the market & how "amazing" it is. He talks about the ignorant idea that the market will save the environmemt & solve racial divisions & many other things. He fears that this kind of thought process is only going to dig us into a bigger hole that'll be...
Words: 347 - Pages: 2
