THE HORROR GENRE

Horror has grown to become one of my favorite genres, maybe not to watch alone but definitely to watch with friends or family.The adrenaline that fills my body almost feels like going up a tall roller coaster.This is because fear can trigger the release of adrenaline and cortisol, the body's stress hormones. Horror is an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. Which with any type of horror this can occur whether a haunted house, scary costume and when produced successfully a horror film.

Horror is now the fastest-rising film genre which has grown its market share from 4.87 percent in 2013 to 10.08 percent in 2023. In 2023–2024, horror was the fifth most-watched film genre in the US with its most watched viewers ranging from 15-25. With 52% of men to 46% of women watching.

Some genre conventions that horror films offer are violence and gore to create a sense of shock or surprise within the visuals they use such as blood, open wounds, and bodies.This can lead to fear and paranoia which is what many directors aim for when creating a horror film, trying to get the audience to feel vulnerable, in fear and overall alone.

There is a variety of genre conventions specifically in horror because of the intense reaction they are trying to achieve from their audience.Using Supernatural elements,Psychological Horror, and more. Also, there is a specific way the production and marketing is broken down regarding their institutional convention.Such as, driving their character's to have a stereotypical image to create a specific narrative whether that is making it seem more realistic or cause tension.They also use pop scares/unexpected twists, or unresolved plot twists.

Horror can be complex to market, as the right message may not be conveyed if not in good order.Marketing is usually targeted to teenagers and young adults using teasers, trailers, and suspenseful music to try to drag the audience in by feeling more intrigued.Like many genres word of mouth, and campaign's can also allow for horror to reach a larger population, end up in theaters or streaming channels.

EX: Hereditary A24 (2018)

Hereditary is a horror film that dives deep into family issues, showing how trauma and secrets can haunt people. The movie is based on the Graham family as they deal with the aftermath of their grandmother's death, and things get really creepy when they discover dark supernatural forces. With its intense visuals, suspenseful music, and a story that explores mental struggles, Hereditary combines real-life emotions with horror which makes it both disturbing and thought-provoking, which leaves its audience with a eerie feeling.