THRILLER and a little HORROR Horror Definition Horror

THRILLER and a little HORROR

Horror Definition �Horror films are unsettling movies that strive to elicit the emotions of fear, disgust and horror from viewers �They startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural �Overlap with fantasy, science fiction and thriller genres.

Horror is based on two fears: �Isolation You are alone, or in the middle of nowhere. Thus, no one can help you. �The Uncanny You are at your home and the horror is also there. Your home is unsafe, or unhomely.

Modern Horror �No longer classic Good vs. Evil (monster) �More confusing and morally ambiguous �Unhappy endings…realism �“A horror movie doesn't just have to be cheap fun, it can also make a serious point. ” Zinoman

THRILLER Common Elements �Revolves around anticipation and suspense �Aim to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats �The protagonist in these films is set against a problem – an escape, a mission, or a mystery �Emphasizes the danger that the protagonist faces �Presents a highly stressful climax

Subgenres �Action Thriller �An Action Thriller uses physical action to create suspense within the film: chases, fights, battles, and races �Examples: Die Hard, Kill Bill Vol. 1, The Bourne Identity

Subgenres �Crime Thriller film is a sub-genre that incorporates the suspenseful aspects of a thriller with a crime film plot: serial killers, murderers, robberies, manhunts �Examples: The Usual Suspects, The Fugitive, Jagged Edge

Subgenres �Science Fiction Thriller incorporates hypothetical, science-based themes into the plot of the film: heroes, villains, unexplored locations, fantastical quests, advanced technology, “future-gone-bad”, alien invasions, dystopian scenarios, super-diseases �Examples: Aliens, Inception, District 9

Subgenres �Religious Thriller film incorporates religious themes, including religious questions, ceremonies, and objects: exorcisms, demon possession, church cover-ups �Examples: The Devil’s Advocate, The Ninth Gate, The Da Vinci Code

Subgenres: Psychological Thriller �In addition to the traits of a regular Thriller, a Psychological Thriller incorporates elements of drama and mystery film �The suspense in this sub-genre comes from the mind, rather than from a physical threat �The protagonists in Psychological Thrillers must rely on their mental resources to solve the situation �Because of their nature, many Psychological Thrillers cross over into the Horror genre

�Emphasizes the psychology of its characters and their unstable emotional states � Complex and tortured relationships between obsessive and pathological characters �Can also cause discomfort in audiences by privileging them with information that they wish to share with the characters �Often presents a plots twist �Examples: Memento, Rear Window, Taxi Driver