The Codes and Conventions of the Horror Genre

The horror genre exists to frighten those who choose to view it. In succeeding to achieve this, a horror film must include conventional codes which allow the audience to be able to acknowledge that what they are viewing is a horror film. These codes are based around all the different stylistics that are involved within film: cinematography, sound, editing, mis-en-scene and performance.

When looking at mis-en-scene, a film needs to include horror conventions with regards to the setting, so the setting needs to be scary for example, graveyards, hospitals, isolated communities. These are all settings that are related to 'horror' and conventionally scare spectators. In the film 'Saw', (2004) the setting is primarily in an abandoned bathroom of a warehouse.

This immediately defines the narrative through the use of mis-en-scene. The audience, from this setting, is made aware of the genre because it is a conventional setting of the horror genre; an abandoned, isolated location. The bad condition of the setting also emphasises the genre and the conventions of horror as well as the use of blood which is also conventional of the horror genre therefore, again allowing the audience to know what the genre is of this particular film. So by using conventional codes of the horror genre, those who choose to view 'Saw' will immediately distinguish that they are viewing a horror film and through the use of mis-en-scene will, most likely, feel frightened which is, ususally, the aim of a horror film.

Within the horror genre, when it comes to cinematography, camerawork is very expressive and not particularly natural; this is to exaggerate the horror within the film. Point of view shots are conventional of the horror genre so the audience gets a feel of the world from the antagonists' eyes, for example, in 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984) a point of view shot from 'Freddy Krueger's' eyes may be shown to show the audience what Freddy is seeing and how it may differ to what the other characters are seeing. Also, extreme close up's are another type of shot that are conventionally used within the horror genre, especially of the victims face so the audience can identify with their fear, letting the spectator feel more frightened whilst watching the film through the use of cinematography.

For example, to the left is an extreme close-up of one of the main characters from 'The Blair Witch Project', (1999). She is obviously very upset, and terrified, because of the type of shot used here the audience can identify with this character and, as a result, feel empathy for her. Therefore, the use of cinematography within the horror genre either allows the audience to see the world from the antagonists' eyes or feel for the victims within the film.

Disturbing sounds are very important and conventional within the horror genre. Ambient diegetic sounds like footsteps and non-diegetic sounds like a heartbeat are commonly used; these types of sounds enhance how frightened the audience are when watching the film and also allows the audience to know what genre of film they are viewing because of the conventional 'creepy' noises that can be heard. For example, in the film 'Psycho' (1960) as part of the famous shower scene when Janet Leigh's character gets murdered, very dramatic, high stringed music is played over this scene.

This type of sound makes the audience aware that this scene is part of a horror film. The effect this sound has on the audience is one in which they may feel uncomfortable, therefore the use of the stylistic sound helps define narrative and genre within a film.


In a 'slasher movie' (one type of horror film) the antagonists are always similar in appearance and performance. They always have a weapon of choice for example, 'Freddy Krueger' has his bladed glove, 'Jason Vorhees' has his machete and 'Leatherface' has his chainsaw. Therefore, within a slasher movie it conventional for the antagonist to behold some sort of weapon which usually stays with them throughout the narrative. There are always certain characters we expect to see in a horror film, the antagonist which is either a ghost, a monster or somebody who is mentally disturbed. The dumb character who always gets murdered first to usually provide entertainment for the audience. The clever character that usually figures out the clues in order to capture the killer, and finally the girl who gets to the end and defeats the killer. These are all conventional performances in which, as an audience, we expect to see within a horror film and it is what allows the spectator to recognise the genre they are viewing. 

Through the use of all the stylistics and the conventional codes that are used as part of a particular genre, the audience is able to define the genre of a film they are viewing. The use of conventional codes is what allows us, as viewers, to establish narrative and genre.