This graph shows the popularity over time in movie genres from 1910- 2018.
The popularity of horror has slowly increased over the years, although there have been periods in time where its popularity has sharply decreased, notably in the 1930s and the 1950s.
This is in contrast to musicals, which were peaking at that time. As the popularity of horror picked up, the musical genre started to diminish.
The popularity trends of horror are similar to thriller and sci fi. This is shown by the overall shape of the popularity graphs.
Iconography
The iconography of horror films are, villains/killers, victims, haunted houses, ghosts, clowns, blood and knives. These are the usual key visuals that make the viewer realise that the film is going to be horror. jump scares or haunting music
Narrative themes
The common narrative theme of horror is Innocent people enduring prolonged suspense and constant threat. Throughout the film there will be elements of suspense, anxiety, threat, terror and surprise.
Characters
Are usually a group of people or one person being hunted by one villain. The people being hunted are usually vulnerable and naive. Often the viewer is initially more aware of the threat than the character. There often is a back story that explains the villain’s often obsessive behaviour.
Plots
The intention of the plot is to frighten the viewer by acting out some of their fears, such as; being chased, trapped, tortured, killed. The viewer would invest in the victim and wishing that their torment will end, whilst being aware that the drama will only worsen and result in a dramatic finale.
Audience
The demographic that watches horror films the most are teenagers to young adults. “60% of the audience is made up of people between the age of 15 and 30” (Brent Lang, 2016).
Ideology, Identity & Society
“Horror films reflect society’s collective anxieties throughout the decades, holding a mirror up to contemporary concerns.” (Lauren McGrail)
One of the earliest horror films, was filmed in 1896 by George Melies. This was a silence film named ‘Haunted Castle’, directed by George Melies.
Over the years horror has evolved and reflected things that were going on through the years. For example, In 2000 when aids was a major concern in society there were many horror films involving vampires. One film that is an example of this is ‘Dracula’, which was made in 2000 and was directed by Patrick Lussier. This story was about thieves who accidentally release a vampire called Dracula, who then travels to New Orleans to hunt down his enemy’s daughter.
There is a similarity between the two as the contamination by a vampire bite resembles how aids contaminated their blood.
Another example was that in the 1950s there were horror films based on mutant monsters. These were reflecting people anxieties about the nuclear bombs. One film that is an example of this is ‘The Fly’. This was made in 1958 and directed by Kurt Neumann. This story was about a scientist who was infected by his work, which then turned him into a fly.
References
(Brent Lang, 2016) –https://variety.com/2016/film/news/horror-movies-1201900551/
(Lauren McGrail) – https://www.lightsfilmschool.com/blog/history-horror-movies-genre-agf
