Horror GenreThe are sub genres within the horror genre, and they each have

different conventions.

Sub-Genres in horror

ACTION-HORROR• This genre combines evil, an event or supernatural in horror films,

with gun/knife fights and high speed chases.• Elements and themes that are commonly seen in action-horror

include zombies, vampires, demons, gory scenes, vicious animals etc Examples of action-horror include World War Z, Priest, Dusk Till Dawn and Blade.

BODY HORROR• This is when the horror is mainly based on the deconstruction of the

human body . Limbs can be used to reconstruct a body or just to inanimate fear into the victim.• A popular director of this genre is David Cronenberg. Examples of this genre include Teeth and cabin Fever…

COMEDY HORROR (SPOOFS)• This basically mocks the horror genre, and combines the elements of

comedy and horror.• This genre commonly crosses over with black comedy.• “The legend of the Sleepy Hollow” is the first film of the comedy-

horror genre. A popular example of the comedy genre is Scary Movie…

GOTHIC HORROR• This genre sways towards the gothical side of horror.• Films in the olden days were mainly of this genre. They included

dungeons, castles, cemeteries etc. Examples of this genre may include Dracula, The Mummy and Frankenstein…

PHYSCOLOGICAL HORROR• Physiological horrors rely on guilt, belief and fear in characters. They focus on the

mind and the mental abilities of humans. Emotional instability is instilled to build tension and further the plot.

• The horror comes from realityExamples of this genre include Orphan, The Grudge, The Machinist and Shutter Island…

SCIENCE FICTION HORROR• Deals with paranormal but is not linked to mad scientists and

experiments.• Can also be about the fear of technology.