RESEARCH: CONVENTIONS IN HORROR FILMS

A CONVENTION is a trend, such as a setting, scene or theme, that is commonly followed within a genre. For example, an action movie convention might be an explosion. In horror movies, common conventions include isolation, foreshadowing, and illogical/idiotic actions from characters (such as hiding upstairs or in a bathroom).

One example of a horror convention is a fake scare. A character can be exploring somewhere, music is building, they're slowly opening a door or a curtain, and all of a sudden, a bird flies out. The character jumps, laughs it off, then turns around and gets stabbed through the chest by the antagonist.

In films, the character usually doesn't react as strongly.

The character does not always get hit with a real scare after a fake scare. Fake scares are typically used to keep the audience on edge during the opening parts of a film (when the plot/characters are usually being developed), or in the build up to the climax. When used at the start, they are typically not followed by a real scare. However, later in the film, they usually are; this is because they can play off of the sense of relief that a person feels when a fake scare is over. The audience feels safe, and by following a fake scare with a real one, it can make a jumpscare even more effective and remove that sense of security for the rest of the film. They can also be used to introduce a villain; The character can be spooked by something insignificant, turn around and realise that the villain had been breathing down their neck. This gives the audience a good view of the villain, and places the character in immediate danger.

Another example of a convention is someone investigating a strange noise. For instance, if you hear something moving behind a curtain, a (usually minor) character will go to investigate it. The trip to said curtain will be suspenseful, and the sound may grow louder. The sound could be coming from far away, or from another floor; this would isolate the expendable character from the rest of the cast, and make them easy for the villain to pick off.

This convention is usually used in order to develop a villain, or set the scene for the next murders. The character who investigates the sound is typically used as a kind of sacrificial lamb- their death may be used to introduce the villain to the audience, or to the rest of the cast. Their death typically sets the story in motion. This can be used in conjunction with fake scares, and followed up by a real scare. This technique may require suspension of disbelief from the audience; in a realistic situation, nobody would hear heavy breathing from under their bed and decide to go investigate by jamming their arm in there.

In addition, another convention is people hiding underneath windows/behind doors from a villain. This can be a set-up for a camera shot of the antagonist walking past the window slowly. In addition, they can just smash through the window/door, grab the character, and rip them to shreds (usually while the protagonist watches on in horror).

Lots of horror movies rely on suspense and subtlety.
However, some antagonists can take a more
head-first approach to scaring the audience.

This convention is used because it places an often unaware character in great danger. If used with a window, it allows the audience to see the villain and build tension, without the character being aware. If the character is unaware of the danger they are in, the audience can feel even more suspense and fear on behalf of them. In addition, the door variation of this convention can set up a character for a sacrificial death; upon being grabbed through the door, they may realise the error of their ways and give themselves up to the antagonist, buying time for the other characters to escape.

In conclusion, horror movies can follow a string of conventions. They are usually used because they work; most of the current conventions are used because of their tried-and-true effectiveness. However, if overused in a film, the film can become bland and predictable. The very nature of horror films means that the same tricks will not always work twice on the audience; particularly the horror savvy. While a newcomer to the genre may not always notice it, many horror movies are simply repetitive, bland copies of other films. The same can be said for conventions; many of them work in cycles, falling in and out of favour as audiences become used to them and find them predictable.