Subgenres in Horror Films

Action Horror: 
Action horror is a sub-genre that combines the intrusion of evil, it often includes frantic chases and gun fights. There are certain themes and elements seen repeatedly in action horror, most include zombies, demons, vicious animals, vampires and demons. Action horror also fuses with the fantasy horror genre. Furthermore, there are many examples of action horrors, Dawn of the Dead, From Dusk Till Dawn and Blade.




Body Horror:

Body Horror is where the horror is principally derived from the graphic destruction or degeneration of the body. Such works may deal with decay, disease, parasitism, mutation, or mutilation. Generally, limbs are used to create monsters out of human body parts, or unnatural movements and dysfunction to create fear in the audience. Body horror includes films such as, The Invasion and Cabin Fever and Teeth.






Comedy Horror: 
Comedy Horror combines elements of both horror and comedy. Comedy horror has been described as able to be categorised under three types: "black comedy, parody and spoof." The genre almost always crosses over with the black comedy genre. Some examples of comedy horror includes, Scary Movie, Slither, Shaun of the Dead and Gremlins.


Gothic Horror:
Some of the first horror films to be produced were Gothic Horror. Castles, dungeons, ruined landscapes and magic/the supernatural are normally featured in Gothic Horrors. Examples of Gothic Horrors include Dracula, The Mummy and Frankenstein.



Psychological Horror: 
Psychological Horror varies hugely from any other sub-genre of Horror and it differs hugely from the stereo types of horror. It does not typically contain any gore or blood, but instead relies on a characters fears, guilt and belief, emotional instability and at times the supernatural to build tension and further the plot. For a lot of people who have almost become immune to the norms of horror, Psychological Horror is a refreshing change and can be far more scary and tense. The Rind, The Exorcist and The Shining are all examples of Psychological Horror.



Science Fiction Horror:
Science Fiction Horror often deals with the paranormal, and similar to psychological opposes the stereotypes of horror.  This sub genre relies hugely on technology, the Mist and Alien are examples of Science Fiction Horror.



Slasher Film:
Slasher Films revolve hugely around violence, which usually revolve around a psychopathic serial killer, killing and stalking a numerous amount a innocent victims. In Slasher Films, the killer normally has a specific weapon of choice to kill his victim. Slasher films are also built up on a lot of mystery and suspense and may sometimes overlap with crime. Examples include, PSYCHO, The Texas Chains Saw Massacre and PROM NIGHT.





Zombie Films:
Zombies are fictional creatures usually portrayed as reanimated corpses or virally infected human beings. They are commonly enacted as cannibalistic in nature. Zombie Films portray mindless humans/creatures that feed off the living. I am Legend, Dawn of the Dead and Night of the Living Dead are all examples of Zombie Films. 






Main Brief:
For our Main Brief, we have chosen to create a Psychological Horror, as from our questionnaire, we found this to be the most popular with our target audience. Psychological Horror films are also typically very successful, which will should increase our profits, which will hopefully mean that film institutions will be more likely to work in synergy with us, to help develop and distribute our film. Also, for a lot of people who have almost become immune to the norms of horror, Psychological Horror is a refreshing change and can be far more scary and tense.