Dominant Conventions of the Horror Film

There are many recognisable conventions from the horror genre:

ICONOGRAPHY

• Haunted houses
• Creepy Buildings
• Blood
• Black clothes
• Wounds
• Dark woods
• Middle of nowhere
• Weapons
• Masks

THEMES OR IDEAS

• Murder/serial killers
• Stalking
• Supernatural/satanism
• Ghosts/demons
• Torture
• Gore
• Werewolves
• Vicious animals
• Vampires
• Cannibals

PRODUCTION STYLE

• Darkness
• Dim lights
• Flickering light
• Tracking
• Close-ups
• Mystery lighting
• Dutch Tilt

CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS

• Predator and prey
• Stalking
• Victims
• Anonymous murders
• Friends
• Partners
• Family
• School