horror movie college essay

Our Favorite Essays and Stories About Horror Films

Reading Lists

Make tonight's evil dead marathon more literary with our best writing about the genre.

It’s the spookiest day of the spookiest season, but you already had your party last weekend, and now you have to stay home and either hand out candy to grabby children or turn out all lights visible from the street and pretend you’re not home. What makes a night in both fun and seasonally appropriate? Horror movies, of course! So while you’re waiting for, or hiding from, trick-or-treaters tonight, put on a Nightmare on Elm Street marathon and make your way through some of the best stuff we’ve published about scary films.

“ There’s Nothing Scarier Than a Hungry Woman ” by Laura Maw

Maybe you haven’t noticed this, but horror movies contain a lot of scenes of women eating—and not only eating, but eating voraciously. Laura Maw has noticed, and she thinks she understands. This essay is both a sensitive cultural analysis of a horror movie trope and a beautiful personal narrative of coming to terms with both the threat and the banality of hunger.

As a woman, to say that you have found eating uncomfortable at times is not particularly groundbreaking. The anxiety has become mundane because it is so common for women, but isn’t that in itself noteworthy? Horror invites us to sit with this disgust, this anxiety, to acknowledge our appetite, to refuse to let us suppress it. There is something uncomfortable and enthralling about watching a woman devour what she likes with intent.

“ Horror Lives in the Body ” by Meg Pillow Davis

This Best American Essays notable is about the physical experience of horror—both horror films, and the familiar horrors we encounter in our normal lives, the ways we brush up against mortality and violation and fear. Why do we seek out this physical experience—”the pupil dilation, the quickening heart, the sweat forming on your upper lip and the surface of your palms, and the nearly overwhelming urge to cover your eyes or run from the room”?

If those other viewers are anything like me, they watch horror movies because they recognize the horror, because its familiarity is strange and terrifying and unavoidable. It is the lure of the uncanny filtering into the cracks and crevices of the cinematic landscape and drawing us in.

“ What ‘Halloween’ Taught Me About Queerness ” by Richard Scott Larson

Michael Myers wears a mask to hide his face while he kills—but is that the only mask he wears? Richard Scott Larson talks about watching Halloween obsessively as an adolescent, while he was starting to understand that his own desires were also considered monstrous.

The experience of adolescence as a closeted queer boy is one of constantly attempting to imitate the expression of a desire that you do not feel. Identification with a bogeyman, then, shouldn’t be so surprising when you imagine the bogeyman as unfit for society, his true nature having been rejected and deemed horrific.

“ If My Mother Was the Final Girl ” by Michelle Ross

The “final girl” is the one who’s left standing at the end of the film, the one who survives the carnage. But what do you call someone who’s still standing after childhood trauma? This short story is about horror films, but more than that, it’s about mother-daughter relationships—a deeper and more mundane form of horror than the kind in slasher flicks.

The one thing my mother and I share is a love for slasher films. When the first girl gets hacked up or sawed in half or stabbed in the breast, my mother says, “Now there’s real life for you.” And I glance at her sideways and think, you can say that again.

“ A Love Letter to the Girls Who Die First in Horror Films ” by Lindsay King-Miller

Unlike the “final girl,” the girl who dies first doesn’t have a catchy title. Lindsay King-Miller writes about the lost friend who taught her that we don’t all have it in us to be a final girl—and that we should celebrate the girl who dies first, because she’s not living in fear.

To survive a horror story you have to realize you’re in one. The girl who dies thinks she’s in a different kind of story, one that’s about her and what she wants: to dance, to party, to fuck, to feel good. She thinks she is the subject of this story, the one who watches, desires, sees, the one who acts upon the world. She does not feel the eyes on her, does not know she is being observed, that her fate is not to reshape the world but to be reshaped by it.

“ Nothing Has Prepared Me For The Reality of Womanhood Better Than ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2’ ” by Sarah Kurchak

Yes, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is a cheesy horror-comedy hybrid in which women are menaced and their bodies are treated as set dressing. But so is adolescence. Sarah Kurchak writes about the many ways in which this movie taught her what to expect from the world.

Sure, this was, on many levels, a schlocky B-movie with so many of the expected hallmarks of the time — women in hot pants and peril, over-the-top gore. But it was a schlocky B-movie in which a woman faced men’s threats, both implicit and explicit, and was left breathing but almost unrecognizable at the end of it. That felt familiar.

Take a break from the news

We publish your favorite authors—even the ones you haven't read yet. Get new fiction, essays, and poetry delivered to your inbox.

YOUR INBOX IS LIT

Enjoy strange, diverting work from The Commuter on Mondays, absorbing fiction from Recommended Reading on Wednesdays, and a roundup of our best work of the week on Fridays. Personalize your subscription preferences here.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT

Loneliness Is a Ghost

Miciah Bay Gault, author of "Goodnight Stranger," on non-belonging and writing the supernatural

Oct 31 - Cameron Finch Read

More like this.

The Scariest Monsters Are The Ones We Can’t See

When it comes to body horror, "Drag Me To Hell"’s gross camp terrified me more than "Safe"’s pretty restraint

May 28 - Mariah Stovall

The Monsters We Fear Tells Us Something Essential About Who We Are

I needed to understand why watching "The Ring" filled me with terror in a way no other villain ever had

Feb 6 - Tania De Rozario

I Loved “Texas Chain Saw Massacre” Before I Loved Myself

With each rewatch, I got further from the me I was in high school and closer to my truest self

Oct 26 - Zefyr Lisowski

DON’T MISS OUT

Sign up for our newsletter to get submission announcements and stay on top of our best work.

Why We Crave Horror Movies

27 pages • 54 minutes read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Essay Analysis

Key Figures

Index of Terms

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Analysis: “Why We Crave Horror Movies”

The essay “Why We Crave Horror Movies” interweaves point of view , structure, and tone to address the foundational themes of fear, emotions, and “insanity” in relation to horror movies. It examines why horror films allow the expression of fearful emotions linked to irrationality. The essay integrates literary techniques and pop culture references to form a cohesive whole, and it highlights several key themes: Good Versus Bad Emotions , The Expression of Fear Through Horror Movies , and “Insanity” and Normality in Society and Horror Film .

King argues that fear and other negative emotions are universal and that horror movies are a key art form for expressing these emotions. The essay gives audiences permission to experience and enjoy these films as a vehicle for fears.

Get access to this full Study Guide and much more!

• 7,900+ In-Depth Study Guides
• 4,800+ Quick-Read Plot Summaries
• Downloadable PDFs

Related Titles

By Stephen King

Bag of Bones

Billy Summers

Children of the Corn

Different Seasons

Doctor Sleep

Dolores Claiborne

End of Watch

Finders Keepers

Firestarter

From a Buick 8

Full Dark, No Stars

Gerald's Game

Gwendy's Button Box

Featured Collections

Books About Art

View Collection

Good & Evil

• About / FAQ
• Submit News
• Upcoming Horror
• Marketing Macabre

Horror News | HNN Official Site | Horror Movies,Trailers, Reviews

How to write an essay about horror movies.

Adrian Halen 06/26/2024 Articles special , Exclusive Articles

Horror movies have long been a popular genre in the film industry, thanks to those pulse-quickening thrill rides featuring heart-stopping moments of terror and suspense. Whether you’re a film student, a horror fan or just someone who has long been curious about the genre’s cultural significance, there’s no better way to hone that hankering for horror than to write an essay about the subject. If you need assistance, services like Academized writing service can help write my paper in a week , offering expert guidance and support in crafting essays on various topics, including horror movies.

1. Understanding the Genre

First, there are (literally) countless subgenres of horror movies, and to write about all of them as if they were basically the same thing would be a terrible read. You need to get a handle on the stereotypes: there are countless readers who might recognise you as a timid young woman when you look a lot more like an authoritative priest in their brain.

• Identify Subgenres: Although it is a diverse category, horror is not a genre unto itself but rather a domain that hosts a surprising amount of variety, with subgenres such as: supernatural horror (eg, The Exorcist); psychological horror (eg, Psycho); slasher horror (eg, Halloween); and more. Within these, different techniques produce different kinds of fear and suspense.
• Lesson (theme/subject): horror films elaborate a lot of Universal Ideas, some of which at the very root of human nature and explain things like fears of the unknown, driving instincts that test our core survival, meddlesome human curiosity and its catastrophic consequences. For instance, even though Jaws is about a fully grown, nearly indestructible shark that goes on rampage, it’s actually primarily about primal fears of nature and all the other things that lie just beyond our field of vision.
• Cultural Importance: Viewing horror films through a cultural lens shows how they reflect and address our cultural anxieties; for example, the zombie movie has been read as a metaphor for social problems, from consumerism (Dawn of the Dead) to pandemic (28 Days Later).

2. Analysing Techniques with Examples

Many films use horror as a setting or backdrop to their story, but a truly effective horror film subverts our expectations by using a range of audiovisual strategies to elicit fear and suspense from the viewer. By analysing films in detail, and understanding how they might create an atmosphere of dread, we can add depth and sophistication to our analysis of horror. For those seeking guidance, utilising the expertise of the best essay service can provide invaluable support in crafting insightful essays that delve into the intricacies of horror cinema.

• Use of Sound: Sound and score are crucial to bis, as are manipulations of sound (such as silence and sudden noises) that leave an audience tense and on edge. See how they use these tactics in A Quiet Place.
• The visual imagery: Whether in cinematography or visual effects – can also be hugely instrumental in generating responses. For example, the utilisation of poor lighting and shadows in The Babadook can lead viewers to feel disconcerted and afraid.
• Characterisation: Character, particularly antagonists, is vital in horror. Explore how iconic evil characters such as Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street) or Leatherface (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre) represent pure misgivings and become long term symbols of terror.

3. Constructing a Strong Thesis Statement

A strong thesis statement represents the heart and soul of your essay, summing up its main argument or interpretation:

Thesis Development: Choose a specific claim about the horror film you’re writing about and state it as a thesis; it should then help to determine the shape your essay will take. For example, ‘Supernatural forces in the film The Conjuring series function as a figurative way of depicting the vulnerability of family bonds to harmful influences from beyond the home.

4. Comparative Analysis

Analysis of horror movies can be improved by better drawing out contrasts between them. It can be quite helpful to write an essay drawing out similarities and differences between two movies, well-presented in a comparative table:

Setting these next to each other allows you to show how different horror directors treat the genre, and also what makes each film emotionally resonant with viewers.

5. Incorporating Critical Perspectives

To establish your essay, introduce what film critics and scholars who have written extensively about horror cinema have stated:

Critical Reviews: Look for reviews of a particular film studied by reliable or credible sources. These may present alternative perspectives, enabling you to see films through different lenses. Disclaimer: All Boris Karloff clips on our website are taken from the DVDs History’s Greatest Villains Boris Karloff and Universal’s Classic Monsters Complete 30-Film Collection, released by Shout! Factory.

Academic Analysis: Read textbook articles or chapters that analyse horror cinema in theoretical terms (psychoanalysis, feminist theory, cultural studies, etc) in order to understand how the movies are intended to communicate more ‘serious’ (or, given one’s acquaintance with other theoretical frameworks, perhaps ‘just as serious’) meanings and affective ‘lessons’.

6. Applying Theoretical Frameworks

To take a step further, try using theoretical tools that shed light on the wider themes present within horror cinema: theology/religion; psychoanalysis; queer theory; feminist theory/psychoanalysis.

• Final Girl Theory: Dubbed by American film scholar Carol J Clover, this theory investigates how films such as Halloween (1978) perpetuate the trope of the ‘final girl’ – often a sole female survivor in slasher films who triumphs over the killer – by reversing genre conventions. These conventions privilege male perspectives as the norm and relegate women to symbolism, as one of the ‘screaming girls’. Discuss how the representation of the final girl subverts or reinforces traditional gender roles.

In writing this essay, you would need to account for themes and techniques that drive the genre, as well as understand the cultural contexts that facilitate its development as a cinematic genre with subgenres of its own. By engaging with those requirements, your essay would utilise the appreciation and analysis of relevant cinematic techniques and develop a focused thesis. You might present a comparative analysis of horror genres, critically engage with a horror trope, or fully address a theoretical perspective on horror.

Related Articles

Pancake Man – Official Trailer & Poster

Night of the Devil starring Veronica Carlson is available for free on Britflicks

Camp Pleasant Lake hits #1 on Starz starring Michael Pare’, Jonathan Lipnicki, Mike Ferguson, & Bonnie Aarons

Linnea Quigley & Original Cast are back for “Trash’s Revenge” from the Return of the Living Dead Universe

Why do we Love Horror?

Prison Planet: Behind The Matrix of Illusion

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published.

Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Movies — Horror

Essays on Horror

The importance of writing an essay on horror.

Writing an essay on horror is essential for several reasons, as it allows individuals to explore the genre's significance, impact, and cultural relevance. Horror literature, films, and art have long been integral parts of human culture, reflecting societal fears, anxieties, and taboos. By delving into the genre through essays, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of its complexities and contributions to literature, cinema, and art.

One of the primary reasons for writing an essay on horror is to explore fear and its profound effect on human psychology and society. Horror confronts us with our deepest fears and forces us to confront the darker aspects of human nature. By analyzing horror works, individuals can gain insights into human behavior, emotions, and the human condition itself.

Furthermore, essays on horror allow us to understand the cultural and social dynamics that shape the genre. Horror often reflects the fears and anxieties prevalent in society during specific historical periods. By examining horror works within their cultural contexts, individuals can gain valuable insights into societal norms, values, and concerns.

Moreover, writing essays on horror provides an opportunity to examine the literary and cinematic techniques used to evoke fear and suspense. From Gothic literature to contemporary horror films, the genre employs a wide range of stylistic devices, symbolism, and narrative structures to create chilling experiences for audiences. By analyzing these techniques, individuals can deepen their appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship behind horror works.

Essays on horror also challenge assumptions and stereotypes associated with the genre. While horror is often dismissed as mere entertainment or dismissed as lowbrow, it encompasses a diverse range of themes, styles, and perspectives. By critically evaluating horror works, individuals can challenge preconceived notions and recognize the genre's artistic and intellectual merits.

Finally, writing essays on horror encourages individuals to engage in meaningful discussions about important societal issues. Horror often addresses topics such as power dynamics, gender roles, identity, and morality in thought-provoking ways. By analyzing these themes in horror works, individuals can contribute to broader conversations about culture, politics, and human nature.

Writing essays on horror is essential for gaining insights into the genre's significance, exploring fear and humanity, understanding cultural dynamics, examining artistic techniques, challenging stereotypes, and engaging in meaningful discussions. Through thoughtful analysis and reflection, individuals can appreciate the richness and complexity of horror as a genre and its enduring impact on literature, cinema, and art.

What makes a good Horror essay topic

When it comes to choosing a horror essay topic, it's important to consider what will captivate and engage your audience. To brainstorm and choose an essay topic, start by considering your own interests and fears. What scares you? What keeps you up at night? These personal experiences can serve as a great starting point for a horror essay topic. Additionally, consider the cultural and societal fears that are prevalent in today's world. What are people afraid of? These considerations can help you choose a horror essay topic that is relevant and thought-provoking. A good horror essay topic should be intriguing, thought-provoking, and capable of eliciting strong emotions from the reader.

Best Horror essay topics

• The psychological impact of isolation in horror films
• The role of the supernatural in modern horror literature
• The evolution of the zombie in popular culture
• The use of sound and music in creating horror in film
• The portrayal of mental illness in horror movies
• The significance of setting in gothic horror literature
• The cultural significance of urban legends in modern society
• The symbolism of monsters in horror literature
• The impact of technology on the horror genre
• The intersection of horror and comedy in film
• The role of gender in horror storytelling
• The influence of folklore on modern horror narratives
• The portrayal of fear in contemporary horror literature
• The impact of censorship on the horror genre
• The representation of trauma in horror films
• The use of suspense in horror storytelling
• The depiction of evil in horror literature
• The role of religion in horror narratives
• The use of body horror in contemporary cinema
• The impact of social media on horror storytelling

Horror essay topics Prompts

• Write a horror story from the perspective of the monster.
• Imagine a world where everyone's deepest fears come to life - what would this look like?
• Write a horror essay exploring the concept of "survival horror" in video games.
• Create a horror story set in a haunted house, but with a unique twist.
• Write an essay analyzing the role of the final girl in slasher films and its impact on gender representation in horror.

The Reflection of Society's Fears in Horror Movies

The main concepts of horror films, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

The Use of Genre Theory in The Horror Genre

The human fondness for horror movies, reseach paper - coraline, monster creatures from horror movies, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Stephen King and His Legacy in The Genre of Horror

Godzilla movies: analyzing the horror genre through theoretical lenses, life lesson in reality through horror movies, analysis of the evolution of vampires approaching the twenty-first century, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

Representation of White Supremacy in The Movie "Get Out"

The film ‘psycho’ by alfred hitchcock, exploring the gothic horror of tim burton, fear and fantasy: intersections of horror and sexuality in bastard out of carolina, theory about horror films popularity, the cabinet of dr. caligari: and the features of expressionism, dark theme in 'it comes at night', tutsi and hutu differences and genocide in "hotel rwanda" by terry george, summary of the movie "the silence of the lambs", portrayal of the civil war horrors in nigeria in tears of the sun, a movie by antoine fuqua, a review of jen frankel’s tale "undead redhead", analysis of the lowest animal by mark twain, review of tim burton’s film edward scissorhands, the horror genre's attractive characteristics, broken american dream: texas chainsaw massacre, the ways transformations play a role in stories meant to scare us, cozy facade, hidden horrors, the abject in horror film, horror essay: halloween horror: the horror of halloween, sinister film analysis.

Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit fear or disgust in its audience for entertainment purposes.

Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements include monsters, apocalyptic events, and religious or folk beliefs. Cinematic techniques used in horror films have been shown to provoke psychological reactions in an audience.

Body horror, Comedy horror, Folk horror, Found footage horror, Gothic horror, Natural horror, Slasher film, Supernatural horror, Teen horror, Psychological horror.

Relevant topics

• Documentary
• Hidden Figures
• Movie Summary
• Indian Horse
• Film Analysis
• Interstellar
• Groundhog Day

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

The horror movies essay

The following essay will contrast the horror movies of the 1940’s and 1950’s with today’s plethora of gore and mayhem. The basis of the paper’s thesis will rest upon these previous films having greater cinematography and creativity than the bombardment of today’s high tech industry. “Shots of Gothic manors lit by lightening, of shadows glimpsed under doors, or of a hand gliding along a banister, are examples of the ‘spectacular means’ of horror; they are the kind of devices that have been used so often that they have come to define the genre of the horror movie” (White The Poetics of Horror 1).

This is the common definition for both previous horror movies and those created in today’s industry. It is veracious to state that today’s horror movies rely too heavily upon the amount of gore and blood seen in the movie and less on plot and character development (although there are exceptions to this rule). The horror movies of the 1940’s and 1950’s although sometimes cliche in their development give to the audience a wonderland of cinematic detail and emotional impact that is not replicated. Such movies are often also defined by their talented actors.

One such movie is The Body Snatcher (1945). This film, directed by Robert Wise (who also directed The Haunting in 1963), brings in elements of gore but also suspense. This dichotomy of conceptual realization in the film is what lends it as a classic horror film. The performance given by Boris Karloff is what truly heightens the story line of the film. That is one great difference between these two eras of movies; character development has become strained and non-existent in today’s genre but in Boris Karloff’s character Gray.

The character has a true identity and is itself dichotomized from a man who gets along with children and animals but whose cold nature allows him to black mail the doctor. This film’s greatness does not hinge upon its graphic detail and gore but instead its subtle ability to incorporate into the story line such special effects as lightening and the covert viewings of bodies leads the viewer to image for themselves to a certain extent the gruesome details of the plot. This is one point of contrast between these two different styles of horror films.

Related essays:

• Similarities between Frankenstein and Monster essay
• Film analysis essay
• Subject essay
• Reaction to Stephen King Statement about Horror Movies essay

The 1940’s and 1950’s horror films presented something that does not exist in today’s horror films as did during this time; the theme of paranoia. Paranoia was not just presented by the character’s depiction of the feeling but through different effects such as lighting and sound that suggestively pointed towards paranoia and accomplished not only the main character’s involvement with the feeling but by extension of these effects the audience’s involvement also, as White states, “Because we all fear death and try to protect ourselves from it, even the most clinical presentation of a murder is apt to interest us.

But the arousing of our fear of death by itself is not enough to produce horror; horror requires a certain manipulation of that fear. ” (White 7). This type of fear, and involvement of death in horror as represented in the 1950’s film era is seen in The Curse of Frankenstein. The psychology of this film is riveting. It is the classic horror tale of man trying to cheat death or more aptly put it is man trying to be God. In the scenes that depict the creation of Frankenstein’s monster and the camera angles (both the low and the high angles) reveal to the audience the otherworldliness of the moment.

The film also has a very strong use of light and shadow especially in scenes with the monster and Frankenstein together. This is especially true when in the film the stray bolt of lightening brings the creature to life; in the symbolism of nature bringing the creature to life where science failed is also a small evidence factor that contributes to the idea of these effects having a greater sway on an audience because of their metaphorical qualities than the slasher films of today whose main purpose is to frighten but not seduce.

The movie The Curse of Frankenstein seduces the audience by giving them a chance to feel compassion for the creature and diabolical understanding for the doctor, but none of these emotions would be possible is not for the camera angles aiding in this portrayal and the use of light and shadow (especially in the lab). Another effect in the movie was the depiction of the monster. The monster was created to embody a very animalistic side of nature and thus the creature was more of a blank canvas (Noel Nightmare and the Horror Film 17).

The monster was violent yet in the film the audience, through the course of the movie and the lighting effects as they represented and lingered on each character in certain fashions (i. e. the progression of the film increasingly shadowed Dr. Frankenstein while the monster became increasingly vivid) allowed the audience to relate more with the monster and to associate the animalistic symbols in the film with Dr. Frankenstein; for it is Dr.

Frankenstein who is the monster, “The fact that audiences tolerate, even seek out and enjoy, a film designed to horrify them, can tell us a great deal about what it is in these films that makes them inspire fear or dread” (White 7). The horror movies of the 1940’s and 1950’s brought something different to cinematic history; the empathizing of the audience with the monster. In today’s horror movies the anti-hero has overswamped the screen, the lighting effects are nonexistence as digital has taken the place of talent.

Choices are being made in the film that allow CGI to almost be a viable character instead of emotions as portrayed through effects such as lighting and camera and sound. The vampire films have definitely changed dramatically than when Horror of Dracula was conceived. The replacement film of this genre is more about action. This can be seen in such movies as Blade (each version) and Dracula 2000. There is no real possession of the audience in these films.

Blade especially does not do the genre justice as its characters are ill developed and its light focus is minimal as it only delves into the use of sunlight and lamplight (on the street scenes and in warehouses). The darkness in the film is not a weighty character, and even the night scenes are too bright. The only truth behind this film in regards to it being a horror film is the club scene where the lights are flickering at fast speeds and the dancing crowd is being consumed by vampires.

But even in this scene the focus is about the gore and the technique utilized to represent the gore. It seems to be increasingly true that a horror movie in today’s market is only a horror movie if it uses the right amount of blood and guts. In contrast to this film, The Horror of Dracula is strikingly different. The highlighting effect that emotionally drew in the audience is the films underscore.

The musical development of the film as it fits with key scenes allows the film to transcend the genre of horror and allows it to be at once horror, tragedy, and surprisingly romantic. The musical underscore tied the characters together in a love triangle and even without the films marked up-angle shots of the monster and the castle angles, the films music make a definite impression. The association between the monster and the music is completely riveting.

Although music is used in horror films today their portrayal is mixed with a rock star atmosphere (as mentioned in the club scene in Blade), or the fact that the film wants to associate with the younger generation and so places guitar riffs into the action scenes. This effect merely produces a lot of hype that does nothing to replace the character development and scene development that a truly great musical score (as is witnessed in The Horror of Dracula) can bring to a picture (Internet Zombie Production). In the Curse of the Werewolf the use of lighting is essential.

Although the makeup of the creature is slightly less than believable as compared with the genres advancements in this area (even American Werewolf in London had a great make-up team and From Dusk Till Dawn showed innovations in the field) for current day movies, the abundance of dream sequences relaying to real life and the use of darkness is captivating, as White states about these past horror films, “Their mixture of comedy and tragedy, reality and fantasy, captures something of the chaos of the world and some of the ways men go about giving that chaos the illusion of order” (14).

This statement is especially true in application to The Curse of the Werewolf. One special effect used in the film is when the mute servant girl gives birth in Alfredo’s home on Christmas day and the sound effect of bells chiming is paired with the simultaneous crying of a new borne babe. The implications and symbolism in this sound effect is stunning.

The film renders symbolism in the birth of Christ but the juxtaposition of the animal in place of the divine is an element that makes this film especially harrowing. Although the werewolf movies of today such as The Howling have a brief focus on the birth of a werewolf no version or continuous sequel of The Howling produces quite the same effect as this sound bit even thought he make-up and artistry is of a superior quality in this more modern day horror film.

The Curse of the Werewolf also includes dream sequences where the character Leon begins dreaming like an animal and goes to confess these dreams to the parish when a flock of sheep is discovered to have been eaten, as White states about dreams in horror movies, “As the dream can express what the character cannot normally express consciously, the aberration elements of the dream can become confused with normal life providing a character with a way of doing what he wants to do while denying that he has done it or desires to do it” (15).

Thus, in comparison of the techniques used by the 1940’s and 1950’s horror movies with today’s special effects the quality of the former is much more impressive in context and is utilized in such a way as to cause empathy from the audience and to reveal a solidly conceived character.

Agel, Henri. What is a Cursed Film? “Hollywood Quarterly. ” Vol. 4 No. 3. pp293-297. Autumn 1984. Carrol, Noel. The Nature of Horror. “The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism. ” Vol. 46, No. 1. pp51-59. Autumn 1987. Carrol, Noel. Nightmare and the Horror Film: The Symbolic Biology of Fantastic Beings.

“Film Quarterly. ” Vol. 34, No. 3. pp16-25. Spring 1981. Harrington, Curtis. Ghoulies and Ghosties. “The Quarterly of Film Radio and Television. Vol. 7 No. 2. pp191-202. Winter 1952. Internet Zombie Production. House of Horrors. (Online). Available: <http://www. houseofhorrors. com/hammer. htm> White, Dennis L. The Poetics of Horror More than Meets the Eye. “Cinema Journal” Vol. 10, No. 2. pp1-18. Spring 1971. Williams, Linda. Horror and Humor. “The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism. ” Vol. 57, No. 2. pp145-160. Spring 1999.

Why We Enjoy Horror Films Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Horror movie critics have asserted that there is a growing tendency in making much more violent and bloody movies. At a glance, it is difficult to understand why people pay money for the ticket to watch the most horrible, thrilling, and creepy scenes at the cinema. However, deeper examination explores much more sophisticated reasons for the public’s immense interest in horror movies.

King’s statement that horror movies “have a dirty job to do” (3) can be reinterpreted to stress that contemporary production or horror films premises on people’s desire to distract themselves from the monotonous routines and realities of grim daily activities by depicting ugliness and fear.

While deliberating on the essence and purpose of horror movies, Kinds notes, “[horror film] urges us to put away our more civilized and adult penchant for analysis and to become children again, seeing things in pure blacks and whites” (2). Therefore, most individuals interested in this genre search for psychic relief because most of such pictures are premised on the simple, primitive representation of the evil and the good.

Also, the illustration of unreasonableness and outright madness is rarely observed in real life. Even though such emotions as love, compassion, sympathy, kindness, or commitment are celebrated in society, the depiction of the opposite emotions in horror movie can only enhance individual’s awareness of the significance of these aspects. Society is too bored with constant practicing of politeness and attentiveness, love and friendships.

Under these circumstances, horror movies demonstrate what could happen in case social sanity will be distorted. Human perception of insanity is relative because its normality is usually accepted by the majority. Existence of social norms allows us to be distinct between the action that makes sense and unreasonable and irrational actions.

All these dilemmas could be solved as soon as people start watching thrillers and horror films. At this point, King emphasizes, “it is morbidity unchained, our most base instincts let free, our nastiest fantasies realized…and it all happens, fittingly enough in the dark” (3). In this context, supporters of just and good lifestyle will not be able to adhere to the concepts as soon as they realize the main purpose of horror movies, as well as the techniques directors, employ to achieve this purpose.

Modern horror movies often depict monsters, psycho, or zombies chasing their victims. The viewers realize what is going on, and they often strive to help the hero to escape death. While using these techniques, horror movie directors emphasize the helplessness of a person in front of the danger, which makes all people be frightened.

The feeling of unexpected capture makes people attend such pictures frequently because they lack such emotions in life. In such a way, they also entertain themselves and even have fun when watching creepy scenes. In conclusion, the admirers of horror movie genre attend such pictures to grasp the main attributes of a new reality in which irrationality and simplicity provide them with new emotions and experiences that are impossible to perceive in real life.

By employing unexpected appearance, depicting ugliness and monsters, and revealing the scene of violence, the directors expect to frighten people who are in search of new impressions and risky situations. Although modern movies have become more bloody, the idea of this genre remains unchanged to approve such emotions as love, compassion, and kindness.

Works Cited

King, Stephen. “ Why We Crave Horror Movies ”. Web.

• Horace Miner: Body Ritual Among the Nacirema
• Good Art Can Be Ugly: Applying Aristotle’s Aesthetics
• Why Are Horror Movies So Popular?
• Australian National Identity as Portrayed in “Love the Beast” and “Unfinished Sky”
• Non-Linear Structure Film and Unity of the Film Story
• Problems of the Movie Industry
• Citizen Kane and The Verdict
• "Aliens" Movie
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, March 11). Why We Enjoy Horror Films. https://ivypanda.com/essays/horror-movies-art/

"Why We Enjoy Horror Films." IvyPanda , 11 Mar. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/horror-movies-art/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Why We Enjoy Horror Films'. 11 March.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Why We Enjoy Horror Films." March 11, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/horror-movies-art/.

1. IvyPanda . "Why We Enjoy Horror Films." March 11, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/horror-movies-art/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Why We Enjoy Horror Films." March 11, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/horror-movies-art/.

101 Terrifying Horror Story Prompts

Welcome to the story den of horror, scares, and the macabre.

Most writers are often asked, "Where do you get your ideas from?" A majority of the time, writers find it difficult to answer that question.

We get our ideas from a plethora of sources — news headlines, novels, television shows, movies, our lives, our fears, our phobias, etc. They can come from a scene or moment in a film that wasn't fully explored. They can come from a single visual that entices the creative mind — a seed that continues to grow and grow until the writer is forced to finally put it to paper or screen.

In the spirit of helping writers find those seeds, here we offer 101 originally conceived and terrifying story prompts that you can use as inspiration for your next horror story.

They may inspire screenplays, novels, short stories, or even smaller moments that you can include in what stories you are already writing or what you will create in your upcoming projects.

But beware! If you scare easily — and have active imaginations like most writers do — turn up the lights and proceed with caution...

1. A girl goes missing in the woods, and her parents find only a decrepit and scary doll left behind. They soon learn that the doll is actually their daughter. And she's alive.

2. New residents of an old neighborhood are invited by their friendly neighbors to a Halloween party. The neighbors are vampires.

3. A family dog runs away from home. He returns a year later to the delight of his family. But there's something different about him. Something demonic.

4. A girl goes missing. Fifteen years later, her parents get a call from her older self. But they listen in fear because they killed their daughter that dark night years ago.

5. A man reads a novel, soon realizing that the story is his very own — and according to the book, a killer is looming.

6. A scientist clones his family that died in an airplane crash — but soon learns the repercussions of playing God.

7. A man wakes up bound to an electric chair.

8. A man wakes up in a coffin next to a freshly dead body.

9. A woman wakes up to find her family gone and her doors and windows boarded up with no way to escape.

10. A man afraid of snakes is shipwrecked on an island covered with them.

11. Serial killers worldwide are connected by a dark web website.

12. The world's population is overtaken by vampires — all except one little child.

13. A woman afraid of clowns is forced to work in a traveling circus.

14. An astronaut and cosmonaut are on the International Space Station when their countries go to Nuclear War with each other. Their last orders are to eliminate the other.

15. A treasure hunter finds a tomb buried beneath the dirt.

16. A young brother and sister find an old door in their basement that wasn't there before.

17. Winged creatures can be seen within the storm clouds above.

18. A man wakes up to find a hobo clown staring down at him.

19. Residents of a town suddenly fall dead while the dead from cemeteries around them rise.

20. A doctor performs the first head transplant — things go wrong.

21. A man is texted pictures of himself in various stages of torture that he has no memory of.

22. A girl wakes up to find a little boy sitting on his bed, claiming to be her younger brother — but she never had one.

23. A scare walk in the woods during Halloween is actually real.

24. A bartender serves last call to the only remaining patron, who is the Devil himself.

25. Earth suffers a planet-wide blackout as all technology is lost.

26. A boy's stepfather is actually a murderous werewolf.

27. Something has turned the neighborhood pets into demonic killers.

28. A priest is a vampire.

29. A woman wakes up with no eyes.

30. A man wakes up with no mouth.

31. A monster is terrified by the scary child who lives above his bed.

32. An astronaut jettisoned into the cold of space in a mission gone wrong suddenly appears at the doorstep of his family.

33. A woman answers a phone call only to learn that the voice on the other end is her future self, warning her that a killer is looming.

34. A boy realizes that aliens have replaced his family.

35. A woman wakes up in an abandoned prison that she cannot escape.

36. A bank robber steals from the small town bank that holds the riches of witches.

37. A door-to-door salesman circa the 1950s visits the wrong house.

38. Deceased soldiers return to their Civil War-era homes.

39. Kidnappers abduct the child of a vampire.

40. An innocent circus clown discovers the dark history of the trade.

41. A homeless man is stalked by faceless beings.

42. A spelunker stumbles upon a series of caverns infested with rattlesnakes.

43. A group of friends is forced to venture through a chamber of horrors where only one is promised to survive.

44. He's not the man she thought he was. In fact, he's not a man at all.

45. Suburbia is actually purgatory.

46. Someone discovers that we are all actually robots — who created us and why?

47. She's not an angel. She's a demon.

48. An old shipwreck washes ashore.

49. A sinkhole swallows a house whole and unleashes something from beneath.

50. A man has sleep paralysis at the worst possible time.

51. A woman out hiking is caught in a bear trap as the sun begins to go down.

52. Naked figures with no faces stalk campers in the woods.

53. An astronaut is the sole survivor of a moon landing gone wrong — only to discover that the moon is infested with strange creatures.

54. A woman is wrongfully condemned to an insane asylum.

55. A mother's baby will not leave its womb and continues to grow and grow and grow while doctors try to cut it out but can't.

56. Friends on a road trip stumble upon a backcountry town whose residents all dress up as different types of clowns.

57. Tourists in Ireland retreat to an old castle when the country is taken over by greedy and vengeful leprechauns.

58. A boy on a farm makes a scarecrow that comes alive.

59. A figure dressed in an old, dirty Easter Bunny suit haunts the children of a town.

60. The abused animals of a zoo are unleashed and wreak havoc on a small town.

61. A deceased grandma's old doll collection comes alive.

62. Little Red Riding Hood was a vampire.

63. Somebody clones Hitler and raises him as a white supremacist.

64. A pumpkin patch comes alive — beings with heads of pumpkins and bodies of vines.

65. An endless swarm of killer bees wreaks havoc on the country.

66. Christ returns to Earth — at least that is who people thought he was.

67. A natural anomaly brings all of the country's spiders to a horrified town.

68. A woman finds old 16mm film from her childhood and sees that she had a sister — what happened to her?

69. Something ancient rises from an old pond.

70. A woman suddenly begins to wake up in somebody else's body every morning — each day ends with her being stocked and killed by the same murderer in black.

71. An Artificial Intelligence begins to communicate with a family online, only to terrorize them through their technology.

72. A family buys a cheap house only to discover that an old cemetery is their back yard.

73. Years after the zombie apocalypse subsides, survivors discover that the epidemic was caused by aliens that have appeared to lay claim to the planet.

74. A woman has memories of being abducted by aliens — but she soon learns that they weren't aliens. They were...

75. A boy has a tumor that slowly grows into a Siamese twin — the older they get, the more evil the twin becomes.

76. A cult that worships history's deadliest serial killers begins to kill by copying their methods.

77.  Stone gargoyles suddenly appear on the tops of buildings and houses of a small town.

78. A family on a boat trip stumbles upon an old pirate ship.

79. A winter snowstorm traps a family in an abandoned insane asylum.

80. A little girl comes down from upstairs and asks her parents, "Can you hear it breathing? I can."

81. A town is enveloped in unexplained darkness for weeks.

82. A jetliner flies high in the sky as Nuclear War breaks out below.

83. Children discover a deep, dark well in the woods — an old ladder leads down into it.

84. A child sleepwalks into their parent's room and whispers, "I'm sorry. The Devil told me to."

85. As a woman showers, a voice comes from the drain whispering, "I see you."

86. A child finds a crayon drawing of a strange family — it's inscribed with the words we live in your walls .

87. All of the cemetery's graves are now open, gaping holes — the dirt pushed out from underground.

88. A woman is watching a scary movie alone on Halloween night — someone, or something, keeps knocking at her door.

89. Someone is taking a bath as a hand from behind the shower curtain pushes their head into the water.

90. A farmer and his sons begin to hear the laughter of children coming from his fields at night — no children are in sight.

91. Someone looks out their window to see a clown standing at a corner holding a balloon — staring at them.

92. Mannequins in a department store seem to be moving on their own.

93. What if the God people worshiped was really Satan — and Satan had somehow kept God prisoner?

94. A man dies and wakes up in the body of a serial killer — and no matter how hard he tries to stop killing, he can't.

95. A prisoner awakens to find the prison empty — but he's locked in his cell.

96. A woman jogging stumbles upon a dead, bloody body — she then hears a strange clicking sound and looks up to see a dark figure running towards her.

97. A girl hears laughter downstairs — she's the only one home.

98. An Uber driver picks up the wrong person — and may not live to tell the tale.

99. There's someone or something living and moving up in the attic — but it's not a ghost.

100. A child's imaginary friend is not imaginary.

101. The reflections that we see of ourselves in the mirror are actually us in a parallel universe — and they are planning to do whatever it takes to take our place in this world.

Share this with your writing peers or anyone that loves a good scary story.

For some more scares, check out ScreenCraft's  20 Terrifying Two-Sentence Horror Stories and  8 Ways Horror Movies Scare the S*** Out of Audiences!

Sleep well and keep writing.

Once you're inspired, take your idea to the next level and  Develop Your Horror Movie Idea in 15 Days .

Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries  Blackout , starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner. Follow Ken on Twitter  @KenMovies 

For all the latest ScreenCraft news and updates, follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook !

Get Our Screenwriting Newsletter!

Get weekly writing inspiration delivered to your inbox - including industry news, popular articles, and more!

Facebook Comments

Free download.

Screenwriting Resources:

$ 15.00 Original price was: $15.00. $ 12.00 Current price is: $12.00. Add to cart

Popular Posts

Recent Posts

Next Related Post

Get Our Newsletter!

Developing your own script.

We'll send you a list of our free eCourses when you subscribe to our newsletter. No strings attached.

You Might Also Like

• Hidden Name
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Connect With Us

Writing competitions, success stories.

© 2024 ScreenCraft | An Industry Arts Company

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essay Examples >
• Essays Topics >
• Essay on Development

Horror Movie Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Development , Cinema , Theology , Movies , Entertainment , European Union , Human , Film

Published: 11/22/2019

ORDER PAPER LIKE THIS

Film is an excellent way to explore and illustrate sociological concepts, principles, and theories. Perhaps this is because some films are highly successful in identifying and examining the significant, complex issues that confront the human condition. Entertainment lore has gone the way of silent movie, music hall, and Carry on films. The new films of Hollywood that shocked the insiders were seen in the first week of January when it was released. These became the best-selling films in the US. The latest revival of the Western films was back. This was after the 1969 movie released by starring Wayne John, which was more stylish than the modern films. Therefore, Hollywood films replaced the Cowboys and Aliens, which were stopped due to the introduction of Western civilization. Films can be categorized into several groups, one of them being the horror type. A horror film is fearsome in nature just as the name suggests. However, overtime, the filmmakers have continued to produce less frightening films thus resulting to hybrid horror films, and pure horror films. The pure horror films are produced with an intention of terrifying the viewers. On the other hand, horror films of hybrid type are less frightening. In other words, hybrid films are a combination of comedy, and cold feet. From a general perspective, horror films aims at leaving the viewers in cold feet. Some of the common elements in horror films include strange places, fearsome situations, strange characters, or supernatural beings. In the discussion that will follow, the focus will be an argument on different characteristics and definitions of horror films. Indeed, horror movies are usually horrifying in addition to the typical elements of these types of films. For example, the movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a perfect illustration of horror film. This film is based on Leather face, a supernatural creature. This creature acts as the centerpiece in this film, and is a subhuman character, and monstrous in nature. Owing to his deformities on the face, he uses the face of a human being to cover them. Additionally, the creature is heavy and possesses an ultra sensitive smelling sense. This creature exhibits incommensurable fear while the movie is in progress (Jancovich 32). In other words, this horror movie aims at terrifying the viewers. The scenes in this film elicit disgust and fear emotions, an element very common in horror films. Although it is characterized by suspense while viewers are watching, they remain all set just in case something appear from nowhere and scare them. Horror films are capable of providing sleepless nights, besides entertainment. They mainly strive to elicit dread from the viewer, apprehension, and foreboding. In some cases, horror films do not have ghosts and other scaring creatures, provided whatever the movie presents elicits some aspect of dread or fear. The viewers should always expect the unexpected. The setting of horror films is usually nightmarish, eerie, chilling, and dark. In the horror movie Halloween 1978, the producer has designed it in a manner that it elicits suspense and tension (Prince 24). While the movie is in progress, the viewers are kept under thrills and there is much tension especially when characters are placed in a mystery or menacing situation. When the main character engages in a fight with the monster, the viewer feels that life is threatened and this puts them in a lot of agony. While some people might perceive horror movies as a source of entertainment, others associate them with torture and agony. The main intention of a horror film is to terrify the viewer. Throughout the film, the viewer is kept under fear and thrilling suspense. In most cases, the monstrous creatures used exhibit supernatural powers, thus becoming a threat to characters in the movies, who are normal human beings. Owing to their nightmarish setting, the viewers always experience the unexpected and it is impossible to predict what next.

Works cited:

Jancovich, Mark. Horror, the film reader. London: Routledge, 2002. Print Prince, Stephen. The horror film. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2004. Print

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 2773

This paper is created by writer with

ID 285073414

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

The crown of spain research paper sample, other essay samples, good essay on practice area case law and legal definitions, risk management course works examples, example of gizmo inc essay, free leadership factors authentic leadership essay sample, focus value essays example, wolterstorffs reflections in lament for a son book review sample, good research paper on day of submission, good example of essay on criminal spatial behavior, example of the anonymous hacking network we are legion report, american equal rights association essays, jeff essays, bulbs essays, photodiode essays, light sources essays, dimming essays, bidirectional essays, antony essays, light source essays, masterson essays, obesity rates essays, warren harding essays, warren g harding essays, calvin essays, calvin coolidge essays, rainbow essays, pursuit of happiness essays, fortitude essays, global health essays, maternal health essays, intellectual activity essays, cinematography college essays, scheme college essays, mccarthy college essays, christianity college essays, durkheim college essays, city centre college essays, franchise college essays, matter of fact college essays, exploitation college essays, ranking college essays, branding college essays.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

Pardon Our Interruption

As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:

• You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.
• You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.
• You've disabled cookies in your web browser.
• A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article .

To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page.

• Screenwriting \e607
• Cinematography & Cameras \e605
• Directing \e606
• Editing & Post-Production \e602
• Documentary \e603
• Movies & TV \e60a
• Producing \e608
• Distribution & Marketing \e604
• Fundraising & Crowdfunding \e60f
• Festivals & Events \e611
• Sound & Music \e601
• Games & Transmedia \e60e
• Grants, Contests, & Awards \e60d
• Film School \e610
• Marketplace & Deals \e60b
• Off Topic \e609
• This Site \e600

How to Write a Great Horror Movie

There's only one genre out there that everyone is buying. so in honor of halloween, i want to walk you through how to write a horror movie. get your knives ready. .

The horror genre is tried and true. It's the one genre every studio and streamer is buying. Why? 

Because it's the one that usually delivers the most profitable movies. Horror films come with a huge audience, and the nature of the stories usually keep them pretty cheap. 

But are there tricks to writing a horror screenplay that makes the process different?

I don't know about any tricks.... but I can assure you this post is a real treat! 

Okay, if that didn't chase you away or horrify you enough to stop reading, let's forge ahead into the unknown...

What's the worst that could happen? 

Table of Contents

Horror movie definition .

What is a horror movie?  

A horror movie is a film whose plot is  designed to frighten the viewer. The story must cause some sort of existential dread and invoke our very worst fears. Horror films are roller coasters for viewers often climaxing in a shocking finale. They can be cathartic or just plain fun. 

What kinds of horror movies are out there? 

There are so many different kinds of horror movies in the world. This genre contains a bunch of subgenres. Before you start writing, you should pick one, or mash a few up.

I want to address something that comes up in the comments a lot. I often get people replying "This is fine, but what actually sold with this stuff?"

I know we aren't supposed to read the comments, but the comments section is my horror movie. 

I usually don't address this stuff but I want to this time. 

Mostly because as a professional writer, horror is where I've found most of my recent work. 

Last year I wrote on a horror anthology series that was on Netflix called Don't Watch This . My episode was called Keep Out.  I've done extensive work for CryptTV .  Keep your eyes out for it. 

My point is: I have worked in this space and I want to help. 

I'm not calling myself "the authority" but I'm only going to give you the things I've used for my screenplay work. 

So let's look at some of the horror sub-genres and see what each entails. 

Horror movie sub-genres 

Slasher movies usually have killers who use knives or hooks or machetes to hack up their victims. They can be like Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Scream in tone. There can be one or multiple killers. They have a lot in common with the mystery genre and thrillers. 

From Godzilla to The   Fly , monster movies come in all shapes and sizes. Usually, these monsters terrorize a small community, like in Jaws , but they can also be a global threat, like in Cloverfield . We don't always need a direct scientific explanation for why or how the monster exists, but that might clue everyone in on how you can defeat them. 

Supernatural  

Ghosts, demons, and Satan all exist within these worlds. Your demons can be like Freddy Kreuger or they can be like the possessor in The Exorcist . They can be spirits like in The Others or a riff like in Ghost . Or just straight-up horrific like in Poltergeist . 

Inanimate Objects 

A few years ago it felt like every movie had a scary doll in it. Now, with the Chucky reboot and Anabelle , these dolls don't seem like they're going away. But what about something like The Fog or Christine ? They also fall into these types. 

Found Footage 

I know this is technically a WAY to make a movie, but I wanted to address it last. While these movies are not as popular as they once were, the staples are still the most famous. The Blair Witch, The Visit, and Paranormal Activity  changed the way we viewed cinema. You have to write for found footage for it to be found footage. 

How to Write a Horror Movie (Free Outline)

Before you sit down to write or outline, I wanted to go over some of the tropes within these kinds of films. These tropes can be things you subvert or lean into depending on the situation. You can learn about them here or see them in action by d ownloading 80 Horror Screenplays for inspiration ! 

So let's ask the question...

What are some horror screenplay tropes? 

Guys, I love a great horror screenplay. They make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and make you shake with excitement. 

Common tropes of horror screenplays include:

• Action : People often creep around with little dialogue. 
• Suspense: Pacing in horror is a must. Think Hitchcock ! 
• Jumpscares : Sudden noises or reveals should POP off the page. 
• Gore : Gruesome death or torture scenes are commonplace in these movies. 
• A memorable villain: Create someone who will haunt dreams for years to come. 

Okay, you picked your horror subgenre and found our logline and treatment pages so you did your prep work. Now it's time to jump into the outline and then in your screenwriting software to type some pages. 

So what does a horror screenplay outline look like? 

The horror screenplay outline:, 1. unraveling the terror  - do you have an opening scare that defines the movie.

Do you like  Scream ? The opening scene of the  screenplay  sets the tone for the entire story. 

2. The Entry Point  - Who will be involved in these terrifying escapades and what are they dealing with? 

In a movie like  Dawn of the Dead , it's the series of scenes where we meet who will inhabit the mall. 

3. Before It Goes to Shit  - What’s a normal day look like in this world?

Think about the way the family gets by in  Poltergiest  before the ghosts show up. 

4. The Horror Sets In  - What horrific thing sets our characters off on their journey?

Nothing is worse than realizing your daughter is possessed as the characters do in  The Exorcist .   

5. The Uneasy Path - Everyone is together, what keeps them moving this way?

In something like  Godzilla , it's the reason why they deal with the monster at hand? What do they have to gain? 

6. Walking Over Broken Glass - How do our heroes deal with the problems as they go?

In the  Saw  franchise, this is how people try to get out of the sick traps and hunt Jigsaw. 

7. Through The Dark Cave  - Do you have a B story? Set that story off on its own now too.

B-stories, like the marital tension in  Rosemary's Baby , are great scenes to juxtapose against the horror at hand. 

8. Reassess the Terror  - You’re in the middle. Is there another way to get out alive?

In  Shaun of the Dead  its when they decide to go to the Winchester. 

9. People are Going to Die  - Things begin to fall apart, let the body count rise and show how they deal with it. 

In  The Descent , this is when the people in the group begin to be picked off one by one. 

10. The Fall  - The worst thing happens, something so bad you don’t think you can get up.

I n a horror movie like  The Mist , it's when they are forced outside and surrounded by the actual mist. 

11. The Hidden Clue  - What do your characters discover that they never saw before?

Is there a way out? Something they never realized, like in the  Sixth Sense  when David realizes he's a ghost. 

12. Race To the Final (Girl)  - They’re up and running no matter what. They can make it! 

This is the series of scenes that carries us toward your thrilling finale. In  Alien , it's when Ripley is confronted and has to think fast. 

13. The Moment of Relief  - Did they make it out alive? Has life returned to normal?

What does their day feel like with the problem corrected? Think about when  Jaws  finally blows up?

14. Where We Go From Here? - Show us the world in a new light, hint what’s next. Maybe the killer or monster returns for one final scare!

In every horror movie, it feels like there's one last scare. Like in  I Still Know What you did Last Summer  when it turns out the hook-handed man is under the bed! 

Horror Movies and Comedy Movies 

One last thing I wanted to address is the addition of humor to your screenplay. 

So many horror movies use comedy to help bring levity to dark things. Sure, it doesn't happen all the time, but comedy helps ease people into scenes., If you're laughing, you might be more susceptible to a jump scare or a misdirect. 

You can be as funny as Shaun of the Dead , or use the deadpan humor of The Dead Don't Die. 

Even titles as unsettling as Midsommar contain humor that helps the audience engage. 

So consider adding humor to your pages to keep them turning. 

Sam Raimi, one of the best to do it, uses comedy in all his horror films. 

What's next? Learn about Movie and TV genres ! 

Film and TV genres affect who watches your work, how it's classified, and even how it's reviewed. So how do you decide what you're writing? And which genres to mash-up? The secret is in the tropes. 

‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Writer-Director Michael Sarnoski's Path from 'Pig' to Studio Franchise

“you have to be constantly focused and moving things forward and not waiting for someone else to step in.”.

Michael Sarnoski is the director and co-writer of A Quiet Place: Day One , the franchise's third film. The film follows Sam who is trapped in New York City during the early stages of an alien invasion. Michael shares that he was attracted to this film because of the opportunity to explore interesting character dynamics.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with Michael Sarnoski to discuss:

• Bringing aspects of his feature film Pig to his current film, A Quiet Place: Day One
• How the aliens in the film are a vehicle for exploring character dynamics
• Michael’s journey as a filmmaker
• Giving yourself permission to write something you care about
• Figuring out what a “silent New York” would sound like
• Balancing VFX and practical effects
• Creating a respectful yet constructive environment on set
• Michael’s approach to hiring and knowing who to collaborate with

Subscribe to the No Film School Podcast on:

• Apple Podcasts

Listen to more episodes of the No Film School podcast right here:

This episode of The No Film School Podcast was produced by GG Hawkins .

Insta360 Takes Their Biggest Swing Yet at GoPro

What are the best mystery movies of all time, canon rumored to announce new r1 and r5 mark ii cameras next month, how they shot that sexy slo mo in 'challengers', what are the best adventure movies of all time, walk around with nikon’s naturally wide nikkor z 35mm f/1.4 lens, 20 ways to come up with movie ideas, what is a body double, how composer david naroth brought music to 'searching for amani', hollywood is a constant search for someone to match your freak.

Get the Reddit app

Join the A2C Discord!

r/ApplyingToCollege is the premier forum for college admissions questions, advice, and discussions, from college essays and scholarships to college list help and application advice, career guidance, and more.

What are the scariest admissions horror stories that you know?

It could be anything. Examples of students getting rescinded, cheating, etc.

• Cast & crew

A group of college students host a midnight grindhouse film festival. They discover a cursed arthouse horror called "The Creeping Chaos". In classic horror fashion, they mistakenly screen th... Read all A group of college students host a midnight grindhouse film festival. They discover a cursed arthouse horror called "The Creeping Chaos". In classic horror fashion, they mistakenly screen the film and unleash absolute mayhem. A group of college students host a midnight grindhouse film festival. They discover a cursed arthouse horror called "The Creeping Chaos". In classic horror fashion, they mistakenly screen the film and unleash absolute mayhem.

• Brian Ceponis
• Ginger Lynn
• Felissa Rose

• Dr. Emily Ritter

• Scarlett Van Helsing

• Wes Brantley

• AJ McAllister

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

• January 1, 2025 (United States)
• United States
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $100,000 (estimated)

Technical specs

Related news, contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

The Daily Show Fan Page

Explore the latest interviews, correspondent coverage, best-of moments and more from The Daily Show.

Extended Interviews

The Daily Show Tickets

Attend a Live Taping

Find out how you can see The Daily Show live and in-person as a member of the studio audience.

Best of Jon Stewart

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

New Episodes Thursdays

Jon Stewart and special guests tackle complex issues.

Powerful Politicos

The Daily Show Shop

Great Things Are in Store

Become the proud owner of exclusive gear, including clothing, drinkware and must-have accessories.

About The Daily Show

Advertisement

Supported by

Ghosts, Haunted Dreams and the Devil Himself in 4 New Horror Books

Our columnist reviews June’s horror releases.

• Share full article

By Gabino Iglesias

Gabino Iglesias is a writer, editor, literary critic and professor, and the author of “The Devil Takes You Home.” His next book, “House of Bone and Rain,” is out in August.

Riley Sager’s MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (Dutton, 376 pp., $30) is a creepy and unnerving thriller that flirts with the supernatural.

Not much happened in Hemlock Circle, a quiet cul-de-sac in New Jersey, until one July night, when everything changed. Ethan and his best friend, Billy — both 10 years old — spent the evening camping in Ethan’s backyard. When Ethan woke up the next morning, he discovered that the tent had been cut open and Billy was gone, never to be seen again.

Thirty years later, Ethan comes back home after a failed relationship. Hemlock Circle is still quiet, but something is amiss — something is setting off the motion sensor lights on the street at night and someone is throwing a baseball into Ethan’s backyard, just like Billy used to do when he wanted to play. The bizarre events drive Ethan to dig into the unsolved case, and the more he investigates, the more he thinks the forces that led to Billy’s disappearance are still around.

“Middle of the Night” uses a horrific event — and maybe a ghost — to shatter the idea of American suburban tranquillity. Sager is a master of twists, and he delivers plenty of them here. The novel is also full of ’90s nostalgia, but the things stalking the backyard and the mysterious institute hidden in the nearby woods are what make this a gripping read.

Monika Kim’s THE EYES ARE THE BEST PART (Erewhon Books, 278 pp., $27) is an outstanding debut, a feminist horror novel that tackles big social issues and also delivers the gory origin story of a female serial killer.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

Screen Rant

Who & what is taylor swift's "champagne problems" about lyrics & meaning explained.

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

What Is Taylor Swift's Next Album & When Does It Release?

Who taylor swift's "betty" song is about & how it connects to ryan reynolds, mark wahlberg's new thriller gives away its big twist in the trailer.

• "Champagne Problems" is a song from Taylor Swift's 2020 album, evermore.
• The song is about a college romance that ends with a rejected marriage proposal, exploring the heartbreak of both the man and woman involved.
• The song is a fictional story created by Swift and her co-writer, Joe Alwyn, and has become a fan favorite, often performed during her live concerts.

One of the several songs that Taylor Swift sings during Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) is "champagne problems" from evermore , which contains complex lyrics that seemingly have a deeper meaning. The concert film, directed by Sam Wrench and produced by Swift, premiered in theaters in October 2023 and was a massive triumph. Over the course of its theatrical run, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour became the highest-grossing concert movie of all time after earning over $260 million at the box office, surpassing Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (which grossed $99 million) with ease.

Swift's recording-breaking concert tour, the Eras Tour, features the pop star taking her fans on a journey through nine of her "eras," aka nine of her ten studio albums, and one surprise song acoustic set. Although two songs are still missing from Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) on Disney+, the streaming release of the hit film includes the majority of Swift's 44-song setlist, satisfying many fans after some tracks were left off the theatrical version. Thankfully, one of the most important songs from evermore — "champagne problems" — is still one of the movie's highlights.

What Is Champagne Problems About?

A longtime college romance & failed marriage proposal.

Taylor Swift released "champagne problems" as the second track of 2020's evermore — the third album Swift officially owned . During a typical Eras Tour show, the pop star performs "champagne problems" on a moss-covered piano following "'tis the damn season," "willow," and "marjorie" while she is in the evermore act of the concert (although Disney+ omitted "'tis the damn season" from Taylor Swift: The Era's Tour (Taylor's Version) ).

Swift picked the track for her setlist because "champagne problems" is one of the most popular songs from her ninth studio album, partly because of its heart-wrenching lyrics and powerful bridge that fans get to scream out at the Eras Tour. Some of the first chorus' lyrics include:

Your mom's ring in your pocket My picture in your wallet Your heart was glass, I dropped it Champagne problems

The tear-inducing number chronicles a doomed college romance that ends with a rejected marriage proposal. The couple that "champagne problems" is about has, assumingly, been together for a long time, but when the man proposes to the woman, she turns him down, leaving everyone speechless. The woman takes responsibility for the heartbreak and her explanation for her refusal can be explained in the bridge:

Sometimes you just don't know the answer 'Til someone's on their knees and asks you

The couple breaks up after she rejects his proposal, and the woman promises the man that he will find the right person for him (and that it's not her) in "champagne problems." However, while the evermore track describes the man's heartbreak, it also depicts the woman's pain and grief as she explains how her own personal troubles got in the way of her saying yes to her lover. She describes them as "champagne problems," a saying for when someone encounters an issue that is minuscule in comparison to more significant worries for less privileged people in the world.

Champagne Problems Is Fictional

It is not about taylor swift & joe alwyn.

Even though Taylor Swift has a way of making all the lyrics in her songs seem personal and real, the story in "champagne problems" on evermore is fictional. While the lyrics in songs like "All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version)" are inspired by Swift's breakups in real life, the evermore track is not based in reality. Swift wrote the song with Joe Alwyn (who is credited under the pseudonym William Bowery on the track listing) while they were still dating, but the lyrics are not about their relationship.

Swift's folklore and evermore , which the singer-songwriter describes as "sister records," allowed her to write about fictional tales, while also fitting in some lyrics pertaining to her personal life, of course. Inside evermore 's album booklet, Swift's prologue reveals that she "loved the escapism [she] found in these imaginary/not imaginary tales." The pop star also describes "champagne problems" as:

"The one where longtime college sweethearts had very different plans for the same night, one to end it and one who brought a ring."

So, it's safe to say that Swift's "champagne problems" features a story about a doomed romance that she and Alwyn concocted in their minds. Perhaps the evermore song was a sign of things to come for Swift and Alwyn's relationship, as they broke up in early 2023, a couple of years following the album's release. For all intents and purposes, though, "champagne problems" is a tragic but fictional love story.

Taylor Swift's 11th studio album already has a scheduled release date, with the tracklist & editions also being confirmed before ending The Eras Tour.

Champagne Problems Is (Probably) Not About Gilmore Girls' Rory & Logan

The gilmore girls fan theory.

One of the more popular fan theories surrounding the meaning behind "champagne problems" on evermore ( Taylor Swift's ninth released album ) is that it revolves around Rory Gilmore and Logan Huntzberger's love story in the popular comedy-drama television series Gilmore Girls . The relationship between the two fictional characters played out in a similar fashion to the people depicted in Swift's sentimental ballad.

The beauty of Swift's music is that she can somehow make those who listen to her songs relate to the lyrics, despite how specific they might be or whether they have gone through what the song is describing.

Rory and Logan met at Yale and fell in love throughout Gilmore Girls seasons 5 and 6. However, during the penultimate episode of Gilmore Girls , he proposes to her, and she rejects him. Several years later, Rory and Logan resumed their romance (while cheating on their significant others) in the Netflix revival Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life . But fans apply the lyrics of "champagne problems" to the college years of the relationship. Nevertheless, Swift has never confirmed that the evermore track is about Rory and Logan nor is there any strong evidence to prove so.

Taylor Swift performs a song called "Betty" during Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and the inspiration behind the lyrics relates to Ryan Reynolds.

What Taylor Swift Has Said About Champagne Problems

Playing the song is cathartic.

Given its popularity among her fanbase, Taylor Swift chose "champagne problems" as one of the songs she performs during Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version) on Disney+. Years before the record-breaking worldwide concert tour, though, Swift spoke about the process of writing "champagne problems" for evermore and the meaning behind the lyrics with Zane Lowe for Apple Music . A few days following evermore 's debut, the pop star explained:

"Joe [Alwyn] and I really love sad songs. We've always bonded over music ... 'champagne problems' was one of my favorite bridges to write ... I'm so excited to one day be in front of a crowd when they all sing, 'She would have made such a lovely bride, what a shame she's f**ked in the head.' I know it's so sad, but it's those songs like 'All Too Well,' performing the song 'All Too Well' is one of the most joyful experiences I ever go through when I perform live. So, when there's a song like 'champagne problems,' where you know it's so sad, you know that, but I love a sad song."

Swift believes that performing "champagne problems" is cathartic, as it's a heartbreaking song, but singing along with a stadium full of thousands of fans during the Eras Tour is somewhat comforting. Of course, it probably helps that the lyrics seemingly do not pertain to Swift's personal life. However, the beauty of Swift's music is that she can somehow make those who listen to her songs relate to the lyrics, despite how specific they might be or whether they have gone through what the song is describing. As a result, "champagne problems" is one of Taylor Swift's best (yet devastating) songs .

Champagne Problems Isn't The Only Fictional Taylor Swift Song

Speak now, stay stay stay, & folklore.

Despite her reputation for calling out former lovers in her lyrics, several Taylor Swift songs are fictional in nature. This is especially true regarding her writing on songs in both folklore and evermore . This was actually the main theme of folklore . However, many songs from her entire catalog are fictional and not about her personal life. One example is the 2010 title track from Speak Now . While that album had songs targeted at John Mayer and Taylor Lautner, the title track was just about a dream she had .

"Stay Stay Stay" from Red is a song about daydreaming of finding real love. This song isn't about someone Swift was ever with, but about wistful thinking and is completely fictional from that point of view. However, folklore's entire theme is that it is a batch of songs that remain fictional and separated from reality. The entire album has songs that see Swift going full-on with her storytelling and creating characters, even some that drift between songs. Taylor Swift even released a documentary film about the making of the folklore album.

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

*Availability in US

Not available

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour is a film rendition of the colossal worldwide event that sees the legendary pop star hit the stage in a specially curated film event. Performing the hits of her over seventeen-year career in music, The Eras Tour highlights Taylor Swift and her team as they put on a show of a lifetime.

Source: Apple Music/YouTube

• Taylor Swift