Media Studies AOC: Genre Research Blog Activity

Horror Research

What makes something Horror?

Since Halloween is coming soon I wanted to research the horror genre and why it is so popular.

The horror genre is all about making the audience feel intense feelings of fear, disgust, dread, or terror which is why I was confused about why it was so popular despite its main premise not sounding fun at all. After some research it turns out that people actually love being scared. It gives them a rush, allows them to bond with other people like maybe romantic partners or just friends who wanted to feel a thrill, and it provides significant stimulation both mentally and physically through things like anxiety or a simple boost of adrenaline through our body. They are extremely popular in October with the theme of Halloween and scary things everywhere.

Horror Genre Content:

One of the most used tools in horror is the feeling of suspense. It keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, waiting for the monster to jump out and attack. When suspense is used it fuels the feelings of anxiety, fear, and dread which is what the audience wants from these types of movies. A good way to build up suspense is by using similar plots or cliches like a group splitting up, a person walking home at night etc. They build the feeling of suspense because when the audience sees the scene, they realize that something bad is about to happen and start to feel nervous.

Another tool that is used a lot in the horror genre is fear. People watch horror movies to feel fear or the feeling of being scared. The main character is usually forced to face something horrifying, whether it's a person, creature, or monster. Commonly used antagonists are ghosts, monsters, killers in masks, or haunted dolls. A technique that incorporates both fear and suspense is jump-scares which are abrupt changes in an image accompanied by a loud, sudden sound.

Horror Genre Production techniques:

When it comes to the production of horror films, the lighting and sounds do most of the work in the creation of a creepy atmosphere or of an eerie environment. The directors often use low lighting and silhouettes to make the audience feel like something is lurking somewhere just out of sight making them feel anxious and afraid when they still don't even know what the monster looks like yet.

Sound is also very important. Whether it be small noises like creaks, whispers, or footsteps or bigger noises like growling or screams they all can be used to make the audience feel uneasy, while louder sounds or screams can be used to make jump-scares hit harder. Music can also be used to help build suspense through ways like a song that slowly gets louder and faster when the monster is near like in the movie or just some scary ambience noises being played in the background.

Example: In Jaws when the shark drew near the sound motif would speed up as it got closer to signify to the audience that danger is incoming.

Horror Genre Marketing:

The main audience during these types of films tend to range from teenagers around the age of 15 to young adults around the age of 30. Younger people tend to enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes from being scared. Younger people also tend to watch horror movies on dates with their romantic partner to be able to be closer to them. While both men and women like horror, the marketing typically targets male audiences with things like gore, violence, and chaos.

Horror movie posters typically feature the main villain's face over the entire thing to portray the antagonist and central ideas of the film but aren't the only way to convey horror movies. For example another way would be a poster with a group of characters to show the relationships between the characters.

Horror Genre Samples

The Conjuring tells the story of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Unlike slasher-style horror movies, this film focuses more on atmosphere and supernatural tension. It uses quiet moments, sudden noises, and eerie visuals to build fear without relying too much on gore. The film’s lighting plays a huge role — most scenes are dim and shadowy, making every corner of the house feel dangerous. The sound design also adds to the suspense, from faint whispers to doors creaking open on their own. What makes The Conjuring so effective is that it feels believable; it’s based on “true events,” which makes audiences even more uneasy. The poster shows a hanging noose and a lonely farmhouse, both of which hint at the film’s haunting and tragic tone.

Saw is one of the most well-known psychological horror movies. It follows two men who wake up chained in a filthy bathroom with no idea how they got there. They soon discover they’re part of a deadly game designed by a killer named Jigsaw, who forces victims to make terrifying choices to survive. The film focuses on fear through pain, moral decisions, and survival instincts. Dark lighting, quick edits, and the gritty setting create a claustrophobic and disturbing tone. The Saw posters often feature bloody tools or severed limbs, instantly showing that this movie is about the horror of human suffering and how far people will go when pushed to their limits.

Horror Genre Film examples:

IT (2017)