Sub-genres of Horror

The idea of fear and horror/thriller has produced a large number of films across the years. This consequently means that there are varying types of films with different conventions that all have the intent to scare. They can be categorised into 16 different sub-genres, these are;

• Apocalypse - this sub-genre includes the films that focus of threat to the world, a common example of this is disease/zombies. It has since grown in influence through the idea of developing technology and its potential threat.
• Comedy - this combines elements of both comedy and horror. It usually crosses with black horror - an example would be 'Jennifer's Body' 2009. The genre also features many parody's or spoof films that mock horror films and play on the typical clichés/conventions - the most notable one being the 'Scary Movie' franchise.
• Creature Feature - this categorizes the horror films that revolve around a creature as the antagonist. A prime example of this would be 'Jaws' 1975. It is also described as "featuring nature running amok in the form of mutated beasts, carnivorous insects, and normally harmless animals or plants turned into cold-blooded killers."

• Creepy Kids - this is sub - genre features children as the main characters, and can combine features of other sub - genres. The most common type of child portrayal is demonic possession, and this subsequently also falls into the satanic genre. It can also feature child like objects - typically dolls. The most notable would be 'Childs Play' 1988 franchise.
• Dark Fantasy - films that fall into this genre tend to feature darker and more frightening themes of fantasy. Charles L. Grant defined his brand of dark fantasy as "a type of horror story in which humanity is threatened by forces beyond human understanding".
• Romantic  - the romantic sub - genre is small, and largely links to the gothic one. A recent example of film would be 'Crimson Peak' 2015. This genre can also have erotic content, that is often paired with satanic influences.

• Gothic - the sub - genre is that of which that combines horror, death and at times romance. The effect of Gothic fiction feeds on a pleasing sort of terror. A well known pieces of literature of the gothic genre is Bram Stokers 'Dracula', that was later developed into a film in 1958
• Paranormal - this involves the ideas of ghosts and the unknown. An example of this sub - genre would be the 1982 film 'Poltergeist'.
• Psychological - this genre largely relies on the characters fears and/or abnormal psyche to evoke fear in the audience. This is one of the most popular sub - genres, due to its difference from the traditional horror of the source of fear being something material, as well as splatter that is centred around gore and violence. The tension built through atmosphere and eerie sound effects exploit both the characters and audiences  psychological fears. 'The Shining' 1980 is a well - known example of this genre, as well as 'The Silence of the Lambs' 1991 and 'Chained' 2012. 

• Satanic - this genre refers to horror that includes religious or demonic themes. The main theme is that a character or more portrays the role of Satan - this can refer to passion. The most notable example of this film would be 'The Exorcist' 1973.
• Sci - fi -  Science fiction horror usually revolves around the ideas of aliens, mad scientists, and experiments gone wrong. This genre can also feature apocalyptic undertones, examples of film include 'The Blob' 1958 and 'Alien' 1979.
• Slasher - this type of horror can often be mixed up with splatter due to both of them portraying high violence. However, it is identifiable by the fact that the films revolve around a serial killer who systematically murders people. Examples of films include  the Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' 1960, 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' 1974 and 'Scream' 1996.

• Splatter/Gorenography -  these films deliberately focus on graphic portrayals of gore and violence. Through the use of special effects, the films tend to display vulnerability of the human body and the theatricality of its mutilation. The most well known example of this genre is the independent horror 'Dawn of the Dead' 1978 - the film also has apocalyptic undertones.
• Supernatural - this includes horrors that are abnormal, for example, vampire films can fall into this category. It can be argued that other themes such as werewolves, ghosts or religious horror can also fall into this category, depending on the type of film. An example of a supernatural horror would be 'The Women in Black' novella that was developed into a film in 2012.
• Suspense/Thriller - this sub genre is characterised by the moods they create in the audience - often eliciting anticipation, anxiety and fear. The most notable thriller films are those of Alfred Hitchcock. Therefore, and example being 'Psycho' 1960, 'The Cabin in the Woods' and the 'Saw' 2004 franchise.

However, these sub - genres are not explicit, and many horror films combine elements of two or three different genres. The most common pairings are psychological slashers or gothic romance - however all films have the same aim to elicit a negative emotional reaction from their audience.

 

What genre will my short film be?

I plan on my film being a psychological horror film, as opposed to a splatter or creature feature. This is because I find this genre the most affective on the audience, as it plays on the fears of both the character and them. It is also easier to make on a lower budget, and this is because there is not a need for an excessive used of special effects like blood or make up. It can scare easily with the idea of the unknown and tends to be the film that people think about after they watch it. This is the aim of my short film, I want people to enjoy watching it, for the thrill of being scared, rather than being 'grossed out' by a bloody killing spree.