A horror film serves many purposes-
1] PERSONNAL - the audiences own identification with the fears or threats of the narrative- tapping into primal fears of, .the creative/other in darkness. Body being ripped/mutilated. Emergence of terror but from a safe (vicarious) distance.
2] IDEOLOGY - the implicit (hidden) or explicit (obvious) messages embedded in the narrative. Themes of punishment / redemption and/or revulsion at any subject which deviates from ‘correct’ thinking. Beginning with ‘basic’ textual messages. (the virgin good girl surviving at the expense of the ‘slutty’ rebellious friend) and developing into more nuanced subtle ‘fears’ of strangers/hitchhikers/different religious beliefs/power of science to conquer the darkness- new faith in the expense of ‘old’ religion.
3] FINANCIAL/INDUSTRIAL – without a doubt one of the most lucrative genres to continually re-invent and exploit. Horror franchises regularly stretch beyond other genres in terms of sequels, spin offs and remakes because of the profit.
1] PERSONNAL - the audiences own identification with the fears or threats of the narrative- tapping into primal fears of, .the creative/other in darkness. Body being ripped/mutilated. Emergence of terror but from a safe (vicarious) distance.
2] IDEOLOGY - the implicit (hidden) or explicit (obvious) messages embedded in the narrative. Themes of punishment / redemption and/or revulsion at any subject which deviates from ‘correct’ thinking. Beginning with ‘basic’ textual messages. (the virgin good girl surviving at the expense of the ‘slutty’ rebellious friend) and developing into more nuanced subtle ‘fears’ of strangers/hitchhikers/different religious beliefs/power of science to conquer the darkness- new faith in the expense of ‘old’ religion.
3] FINANCIAL/INDUSTRIAL – without a doubt one of the most lucrative genres to continually re-invent and exploit. Horror franchises regularly stretch beyond other genres in terms of sequels, spin offs and remakes because of the profit.
