Genre

Horror

   In horror, stories are often based on psychological fear (like insanity or hallucinations), physical threats (monsters, killers, or unsafe situations), and supernatural aspects (such as ghosts, demons, or cursed objects). Typically, the settings are gloomy or isolated, like abandoned villages, forests, or abandoned homes. In order to increase tension and give the audience a persistent feeling of dread, characters are regularly placed in dangerous situations that take advantage of their weaknesses. This could happen when a group splits up in an unfamiliar place.

   While abrupt zooms or unsteady cameras enhance the suspense during chase scenes, close-ups show the characters' fear. Suspense is increased with eerie music, sudden silences, and jump-scare noises. Rapid cuts heighten suspense and make the audience uneasy. More intense horror scenes are produced by practical effects, such as genuine wounds or eerie makeup.

   In order to increase curiosity and fear, horror movies are marketed using certain conventions. To increase tension, trailers frequently use flashbacks of important scary scenes, tense music, and sudden silence. Dark shades, ominous imagery, and suggestive taglines are frequently used in posters that point to danger or something supernatural. Viral marketing and social media campaigns may also be very helpful in building suspense by using "found footage" or cryptic hints to make the story feel authentic. To fit the scary atmosphere of the season, horror films are often released around Halloween or Friday the 13th.

   Take, for instance, The Shining. With its use of psychological terror, supernatural themes, and isolation, this film represents the horror genre. The Hotel's isolated location enhances themes of vulnerability and loneliness, which makes it a natural background for suspense. A disturbing mood is created by the director's slow pacing and use of eerie shots, while the concept of psychological breakdown is illustrated by Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Jack Torrance. The movie is a classic horror experience since it also makes use of unsettling sounds and images.   

   Another example is Hereditary, a 2018 horror film. Deep family-related trauma is shown in this film through an effective combination of supernatural themes and psychological horror. Hereditary uses creepy sound design, lengthy shots, and disturbing scenes to gradually build tension, emphasizing environmental fear over basic jump scares. The horror is very personal because of the unsettling themes of mental illness, loss, and inherited family curses. The film's unexpected story puts the audience in a constant state of anxiety, containing modern horror clichés, while Toni Collette's portrayal of a grieving mother adds real emotion.