TYPICAL LOCATIONS IN

HORROR FILMS

WHY ARE LOCATIONS

IMPORTANT IN HORROR

FILMS?Locations are vital for the narrative as it would represent

the vulnerability of the characters and can make it

harder for the victims to escape.

MACRO LOCATIONS

Horror films can typically be set in a

large or small town, depending on the

narrative. For a film like Scream 4, the

town was small which is relative to the

narrative as it became easier for the

killer to pick his victims as they had

nowhere to run away. Therefore, this

can add to vulnerability of the

characters as it becomes easier for the

killer to get them. However, films set in

larger towns can too add to the

vulnerability as the larger scale makes

them powerless because killer can

operate in many parts of town.

Although, it can be easier for them

escape, but typically, they will end up in

an enclosed location.

MICRO LOCATIONS

This is the most important part of the

film as in smaller locations such as

houses or rooms, the characters are

more likely to be trapped in these

locations as they may feel the safest,

though, the house design may suggest

otherwise. Large buildings with many

rooms and hidden rooms shows

themes of isolation. The large size can

make characters feel alone and

vulnerable. Also, they feel trapped with

no way to escape, which is a traditional

theme. In addition, houses with many

windows can seem as if the character

is exposed with no protection around

them which makes then defenceless.

SUBURBAN

• Suburban locations are in the

country which has connotations

of being wild and quite lonely

as the area is rather large and

the population is rather low.

• The people are also deemed

as being less clever than city

people which suggests that

they may not be able to escape

from the killer as quickly or

wouldn’t know how to deal with

the situation.

• There are usually weapons like

guns which puts them to an

advantage as they’re skilled in

using these weapons.

URBAN

• City locations are seen as

more safer because there’s

surveillance cameras and

police that keep people safe.

• The people are also seen as

being more clever which

suggests they can escape

from the killer more easily.

• However, cities are often

larger with many more

people which means that the

killer can attack more people

and has more victims.

THE HIDDEN ROOMS

The hidden rooms in horror films are usually the most scariest parts of

the films. They are dark and mysterious which adds to the suspense and

makes the characters more terrified. The darkness adds to the

vulnerability of the characters because they can’t see clearly which

makes the villain more powerful. Also, since these rooms are typically the

neglected parts of the house, there’s a clear distinction between what's

safe and what's not, although, nothing is safe in horror. The neglected

rooms instantly become less safe as it becomes the villain’s domain

because they are in charge in these places.

Example: The Conjuring

The spirit is in the basement and the main threat comes from there. The

characters instantly become defenceless in this place because the spirit

has taken over.