CONVENTIONS OF A HORROR FILM

THE MONSTER / VILLAINThe monster / villain is one of the main characters within the story. They are usually portrayed by a

male. They are normally killed right at the end of the film by the Final Girl, although, some horror films this does not happen, or a new

monster / villain arises in a sequel to the film.

JEEPERS CREEPERS:THE CREEPER

HALLOWEEN:MICHAEL MYERS

TEXAS CHAINSAW:LEATHERFACE

SCREAM:GHOSTFACE

CHILD’S PLAY:CHUCKY

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET:FREDDY KRUEGER

GROUP OF TEENAGERSWithin many slasher films there is

most likely to be a group of teenagers involved. There is

usually the jock, the sexually active girl, the nerd and the final girl. The

group usually consists of both genders, but at the end it’s normal

for only the final girl to survive.

FRIDAY 13TH

HALLOWEEN

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREETSCREAMTEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE

SEXUALLY ACTIVE GIRL

The sexually active girl is usually the first one to be killed by the monster /

villain in the slasher film, normally after having sexual activity with someone else. The character is usually portrayed as a young,

attractive blonde.

TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET SCREAM HALLOWEEN

THE FINAL GIRLThe final girl is normally the only one to survive from the monster / villain. She

also usually ends up defeating the monster / villain by killing them. Within

the group the final girl is the most sensible and wisest one in the group. She is portrayed by being a brunette, with a

natural look and suitable clothing. Also, it seems that the virginal girl does not die

(final girl) but the sexually active girl does.

I KNOW WHAT YOUDID LAST SUMMER:

JULIE

JEEPERS CREEPERS:TRISH

TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: ERINSCREAM: SYDNEYHALLOWEEN: LAURIE

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: NANCY

BENEFACTOR

The benefactor is a character within a film who is wise. Within horror films, the benefactor knows

something about the monster / killer and tries to help the victims by telling them about it.

INNEFFECTIVE AUTHORITY FIGURE

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

SCREAMTEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACREHALLOWEEN

Horror films usually involve someone who is seen as an ineffective authority figure, someone who is usually one step behind the monster / villain, but not all the time.

LOCATION

HALLOWEEN

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRESCREAMJEEPERS CREEPERS

The location is often set someone similar to the real world, normally a

family home. This is done so that the audience can feel uneasy about the

film, as it is set somewhere similar to their own surroundings.

LIGHTING

Within horror films the lighting is normally dark, to make the film look more uneasy and mysterious, with a

creepy atmosphere. Shadows and silhouettes are usually used as well.