Narrative Structure/Storylines/Themes in Horror
Key narrative conventions in horror:
- An antagonist of some kind who will disrupt the equilibrium - e.g. Chucky in 'Child’s Play' or Norman Bates in 'Psycho'.
- The story’s objective will be to horrify the audience in some way.
- There will always be an attempt to repair the disruption - e.g. trying to stop the antagonist from committing its actions.
- There will be some gruesome plots in attempt to scare the audience.
- There are usually many enigmas and false resolutions that tease the audience - e.g. When we think Chucky is dead but he actually returns.
7. Psychological horror - the plot can focus on mental torment and the characters often feel slightly delusional as someone or something is often playing with their mind. ('Truth or Dare' and 'Saw')
Summary:
The narratives, themes and storylines within the horror genre all share the common conventions of fear amongst the characters. They all seem to face torment of some kind, fighting against someone or something that it forceful and trying to survive and avenge the horrifying villain.
- An antagonist of some kind who will disrupt the equilibrium - e.g. Chucky in 'Child’s Play' or Norman Bates in 'Psycho'.
- The story’s objective will be to horrify the audience in some way.
- There will always be an attempt to repair the disruption - e.g. trying to stop the antagonist from committing its actions.
- There will be some gruesome plots in attempt to scare the audience.
- There are usually many enigmas and false resolutions that tease the audience - e.g. When we think Chucky is dead but he actually returns.
Some of the typical themes and storylines in horror can include:
1. The unknown - often in some horrors, there can be supernatural elements or unexplored territory ('The Blair Witch Project').
2. Isolation - This could be where characters are trapped or isolated showing vulnerability. ('Saw' and 'Escape Room')
3. Hauntings - places haunted by spirits or ghosts perhaps linking to some things in the past. ('Paranormal Activity' and 'The Exorcist')
4. Revenge - someone or something seeking vengeance for past mistakes. ('Carrie')
5. Survival - characters often go on a journey of survival when they are up against the villainess force which conventionally means that the hero will survive the villain at the end. ('Scream')
6. Possessed - some characters may become possessed by the supernatural or a spirit of some kind and their body’s get taken over by evil. ('The Exorcist' and 'Paranormal Activity')
1. The unknown - often in some horrors, there can be supernatural elements or unexplored territory ('The Blair Witch Project').
2. Isolation - This could be where characters are trapped or isolated showing vulnerability. ('Saw' and 'Escape Room')
3. Hauntings - places haunted by spirits or ghosts perhaps linking to some things in the past. ('Paranormal Activity' and 'The Exorcist')
4. Revenge - someone or something seeking vengeance for past mistakes. ('Carrie')
5. Survival - characters often go on a journey of survival when they are up against the villainess force which conventionally means that the hero will survive the villain at the end. ('Scream')
6. Possessed - some characters may become possessed by the supernatural or a spirit of some kind and their body’s get taken over by evil. ('The Exorcist' and 'Paranormal Activity')
7. Psychological horror - the plot can focus on mental torment and the characters often feel slightly delusional as someone or something is often playing with their mind. ('Truth or Dare' and 'Saw')
Summary:
The narratives, themes and storylines within the horror genre all share the common conventions of fear amongst the characters. They all seem to face torment of some kind, fighting against someone or something that it forceful and trying to survive and avenge the horrifying villain.
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