Genre Research: Psychological HorrorMATTHEW PARKS

Psychological Horror is a subgenre of Horror, and it relies on a characters fears and emotions to build tension. Most audiences find psychological horrors scarier than other types of horror genres because it focuses more on everyday life, meaning that there is a chance that those events can happen in reality, therefore making the audience more cautious.

‘Based upon true events’ is often used in psychological thrillers as a lot of them are based on factual occurrences, and film makers rely on the audiences mind to create the horror effect.

Background Research

Characters Characters that are psychologically damaged, Psychological

Horrors tend to rely on characters beliefs, fears and hidden truths about themselves. They expose the evil that hides behind normality.

Characters show fear towards the main antagonist, who is generally a disturbed or tormented individual.;

Shots and editing POV shots of the characters when searching for something in

places such as the dark or when they are being watched, this shows danger.

Hand held shots when the person is being chased, this builds up tension and panic and makes the audience feel like they are in the chase.

Fast cuts are often used in psychological horrors, again this builds up tension and makes the audience panic.

Music and Sound The music is used to create a mysterious atmosphere, and will

build up suspense to indicate to the audience that something is going to happen soon, keeping them on the edge of their seats.

Loud noises such as bangs or screams are used frequently, this is used to make the audience jump, and wonder what's happening.

There are some areas of silence incorporated within psychological Horrors, this creates a sense of unknown

Mise-en-scene Dark atmosphere with an Empty looking area (e.g. house)most

places have a Look of isolation, making people wonder why the characters are going there.

Psychological Horrors do not normally incorporate weapons, they normally rely on the twisted mind of the killer to frighten the victims.

Only small lights from candles, lamps, or streetlights are used, this hides most of the screen behind darkness, making the audience curious to what's happening.

Props such as knifes and claws are carried by the killer, making him look more twisted and scary.