Introduction to Horror Cliches
A horror cliche is something that refers to something that is predictable or anticipated by the audience; it is something that has been repeated before in other horror movies and is now something that is initially expected to occur in almost all horror films. Another word that can be used for a cliche is a stereotype.
A definition of the word cliche is "A phrase or opinion that is quite often overused and betrays a lack of original thought"
A definition of the word cliche is "A phrase or opinion that is quite often overused and betrays a lack of original thought"
Musical Horror-Cliche Soundtracks
A very repeated horror cliche is scary music that becomes louder and tenser as the killer gets closer to the victim. The soundtrack may depending on the scene and can often just ruin the atmosphere of a decent scene or a particular segment of the horror trailer. We have learned collectively that parallel sound that is-so to speak to parallel may do the reverse effect and actually repel the audience that the trailer or the particular scene is trying to attract. We have learned this from watching examples of successful horror trailers and title sequences such as 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' and 'Psycho'. |
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'Lets investigate'
The moment in which the victims hear a noise from downstairs, a bang or things falling down. They decide to take the next step and go carefully down the stairs to see what it is. Ending most likely with the death of someone. This is typical in any kind of slasher or thriller type of films. "The Lodge" is a movie that includes this cliche throughout their movie |
'Lets Split up'
In a lot of horror films they tend to make the problem a lot more difficult to resolve as they tend to be no match for the threat when it is one on one. However the cliche could be used counteracted by making it so the only way to defeat the threat is to BE ALONE and being in large groups actually makes you and your group a lot more problems. For example "Friday 13th" is a good movie that includes this type of cliche |
Being Stuck in the Middle of Nowhere
Being stuck in the middle of nowhere is a cliche for many movies of the horror genre. However, I believe if the setting and music in the trailer works well and is somewhat of an original idea or at least an idea that hasn't been used in a long time in cinema and film history than it is perfectly fine I believe personally to use this cliche. For example if you are stuck in the middle of country roads struggling to get out it in essence could go against the stereotypical plot of horror and thus the cliche-ness would ultimately counteract. A movie that includes this cliche is "Cabin in the Woods" |
Don't Open the Door
In a few older horror films it is now expected that behind the door there is going to be something frightening or jumpy. To help you expect this the music and soundtrack in the background has a lot of impact on the audience; for example if the music becomes faster and begins to build up the suspense, this is how the audience knows that something is going to happen so they expect it and probably become less frightened. For example "Psycho" the original movie (1998) includes this in there film. |
Don't Look Behind You
Normally takes place in a darker room, it is included in a lot of paranormal and supernatural genre of films. Most likely slowly walking up behind the victim or stood in the background for a few seconds, hovering and creating shadows. This can cause tension in the movies for the audience and the music will begin to increase as the killer creeps up behind them. A good example of this in a scene of a horror movie is "Insidious 2" and "Paranormal Activity" |
When the lights turn off- goes pitch black
This occurs in a lot of typical horror movies, it is the moment in which the lights flicker and turn off then the audience see the shadowed figure in the background. Sometimes this is seen by the actors; and they will normally keep turning on and off the lights to see what it is. This is when the killer of some sorts will jump up and attack, until the lights are turned back on. A good example for this occurring in a movie is "Lights Out" |
'The killer is dead'
In most horror films there is a moment when the "hero" or "victim" knocks down the "killer" and then assumes that they are dead because they havent moved for a few moments. However the audience are able to see when suddenly the "killers" eyes open and they get back up, grab something sharp or hard and begins attempting to kill them once again while their backs are turned. Normally the "victim" realises quite quickly and grabs a weapon beating the "killer" to it. An example of this being included in a scene is in the movie "Scream 4" |
Running to the car
This is the moment in a horror movie when the victim is being chased by the killer and makes the rash decision to run to their car. Which you may think is a convenient, safe place to go as you could drive away; but in fact this is a stupid thing to do. This is because once the victim gets to the car they would be messing around with the car trying to get it start; at this point the killer has already made it to the car and breaking the window. Again resulting in the death of the victim. Another example with the car is when the victims run to the car and the wires have already been cut by the killer A good example of this occurring in a horror film is "The Lodge and Hostel 3" |
-HN