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Horror

Used for:

Suspense

Related Terms:

Slasher

Scope Note:

Fictional work portraying the dark side of life, the unknown, the forbidden, and the supernatural, with the primary aim of frightening the viewer in an entertaining, cathartic manner. Frequently, haunted houses, ghosts, werewolves, zombies, vampires, or the diabolical are depicted. The menace may also come through the horrific impact of nature or science gone wrong, such as a monster deliberately or accidentally created by advanced technology, or from Earth under attack by extraterrestrial beings; in such cases use Horror in conjunction with Science fiction. The "monster" figure may not be one that properly inspires dread, but is simply perceived in that way by those around them (THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME). Horror may also induce both shudders and laughs (THE CANTERVILLE GHOST), or be a straightforward comedy about monsters or a parody of the genre (ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE KILLER, BORIS KARLOFF). Note: Unlike Horror, Fantasy may also use the supernatural, but not for the purpose of frightening the audience. When the source of the horror is a result of advanced technology or alien life, use Horror in conjunction with Science fiction. Feature examples: THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS (with Adaptation); DRACULA (with Adaptation); DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (with Adaptation); THE FACE BEHIND THE MASK; THE FLY; FRANKENSTEIN (with Science fiction; Adaptation); GODZILLA; DER GOLEM / THE GOLEM (with Adaptation); HUSH ... HUSH, SWEET CHARLOTTE; THE INNOCENTS (with Adaptation); INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (with Science fiction); THE ISLAND OF LOST SOULS / THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU (with Science fiction; Adaptation); JAWS (with Adaptation); DAS KABINETT DES DR. CALIGARI / THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI; KING KONG (with Prehistoric); MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE (with Adaptation); THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (with Romance; Adaptation); (PSYCHO (with Adaptation); ROSEMARY'S BABY (with Adaptation); THE UNINVITED (with Adaptation). TV examples: AMERICAN GOTHIC; FREDDY'S NIGHTMARES--THE SERIES; FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH--THE SERIES; GOOSEBUMPS (with Children's); TALES FROM THE CRYPT.

Subject Categories:

Genres