Horror Stereotypes

Traditional Stereotypes;

 

Stereotypes tend to have a main group of protagonists made up of thrill seeking teenagers/young adults. They will either go out looking for an adrenaline rush and the risk turns out to be greater than expected leading to several grotesque deaths and mutilations with one of the group (the least expected) surviving to tell the tale. During this sort of horror movie, the group will be made up of males and females, with the males usually teasing the frightened females but soon realising the danger is real and imminent. The stereotypes presented in this sort of horror film is the males being strong, brave, aggressive and usually sports junkies. The females will usually be presented in the opposite way, needing help from the males in the way of protection and guidance. the stereotypes of females is easily scared, fairly glamorous and reluctant to continue on the 'journey'. The majority of the group will be made up of young adults or teenagers. the stereotypes of this age group are thrill-seekers who care little for society and conventions. They will usually be reckless and unsuspecting of any real catastrophe happening to them. Examples of this is Friday the 13th and all the Wrong turn films.

Another type of horror movie tends to have a smaller cast with the main antagonist choosing several victims and murdering them one by one. The villain will tend to prey on females as they are stereotypically weaker than males and helpless when alone. He will approach them in a creepy way - such as in scream, where the antagonist rings the victims phone and tells them that he can see them. This slowly raises the tension and keeps the audience in suspense until the killer appears.