The broad umbrella genre of horror contains many sub-genres which are slightly different from each other in terms of conventions. All share the intended effect of scaring and unsettling the audience and all have broadly similar character types, but there are often slight changes in narrative structure, themes and the aesthetic of the films, depending on the sub-genre. A film from a particular sub-genre, such as the slasher movie, will share conventions with other horror films, but will more obviously share conventions with other slasher movies.
Alongside distinct sub-genres, horror films are often hybrids, blending the elements of the horror genre with conventions of other genres, such as science-fiction ('Alien'), action ('The Mummy') and even romantic comedies ('Shaun of the Dead'). These hybrids often use clearly recognisable conventions of horror films, but adapt them so that they fit with audience expectations of other genres.
Horror sub-genres include:
- Psychological horror
- Slasher movies
- Body horror
- Paranormal/supernatural horror
- Monster movies (zombies, vampires, werewolves)
- Hybrids (comedy-horror, action-horror, science fiction-horror, romantic comedy-horror)
Psychological horror
This sub-genre focuses on the mental state of the characters, using them as a way to get the spectator to relate to the character (by having them experience common emotional vulnerabilities) and to scare the audience simultaneously. Often these films seem more 'real' than conventional monster movies or horror films with a supernatural twist, and for many viewers they are, therefore, more terrifying. They frequently feature characters who are concerned about their grip on reality, and the films often include significant plot twists. Famous psychological horror movies include 'Black Swan', 'Us', 'Split' and 'Ma'.
Slasher movies
Slasher movies, which had a 'Golden Age' in the late 1970s and early 1980s, adhere to a specific set of conventions, and usually involve retribution for a past wrongful action where a group of (usually young) characters are stalked and murdered one-by-one. The sub-genre has recognisable character types (such as the final girl) and it is common that films from the sub-genre spawn a franchise, which focuses on the main antagonist (monster) recreating a series of killings, often on anniversary of the original killings. Notable slasher movies include 'Halloween', 'Black Christmas', 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre', 'Friday the 13th', 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' and 'I know What You Did Last Summer'.
Body horror
Body horror is a very specific sub-genre, which focuses on the grotesque violation of the human body. The sub-genre is noted for its gore and frequently features mutations of the human form. The director David Cronenberg ('The Fly', 'Shivers', 'Rabid') is arguably the most famous director of films from the sub-genre and famous films within the sub-genre include 'The Evil Dead', 'Brain Damage', 'The Human Centipede' and 'Teeth'.
Paranormal/supernatural horror
Paranormal horror films often feature the supernatural, ghosts or poltergeists, with the narrative focused around characters experiencing some sinister, unexplained phenomena. Films are often shot in a found footage style, to add verisimilitude to the fantastical events. Famous films within the sub-genre include 'The Exorcist', 'Annabelle', 'Rec', 'The Blair Witch Project' and 'Paranormal Activity'.
Monster movies
This is quite a broad sub-genre which involves characters being attacked by a non-human creature, such as a vampire, zombie, werewolf or an over-sized animal (such as spiders or sharks). Often these films are unintentionally comedic, and involve a face-off with the protagonist and the monster at the film's climax. Films that would fit into this category include 'Aliens', 'An American Werewolf in London', 'Anaconda', 'The Howling', 'Jaws', 'Lake Placid' and the Dracula and Frankenstein franchises.
Hybrids
Any film that combines elements from more than one genre can be considered a hybrid. Hybrids are popular as they appeal to a broader audience in terms of genre taste. Horror hybrids are very common and include horror-action films, horror-comedies, science fiction-horrors and spoofs of the genre, such as 'Scary Movie'.
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