Sub-genre 1: Survival horror
While it's true to say that all horror movies focus on the survival of the main characters; survival horror is a specific type of movie genre where they must use their skills and resources to live in an extreme environment (like a post apocalyptic word) or must survive against deadly enemies (like zombies or numerous creatures).
As Daniel Chandler stated, this genre is a 'distinct type of text' that simplifies and organises the mass chaos of the environment. An audience can look at a zombie film or a horror about a terrifying alternate world and they can predict that the plot will be based around the characters trying to preserve their lives against the obstacles of their circumstances. As John Fiske mentioned, this is both convenient for the audience and the producers. This is because the producers don't have to go into depth when explaining and advertising the intricacies of the film's premise, or worry about making their survival film different from others. Survival horror films (particularly zombie ones) are quite popular among fans. They are commonly watched because they don't have difficult plotlines that demand attention. Most people are content with viewing the entertainment of characters being victimised by the enemy; often in a gory way. Another reason that survival horror is so popular is because the premise of the film often portrays a dystopian society; whereby the events of the movie could actually take place. Many people like to imagine how they would survive if a zombie virus were to break out, or if they were trapped in an unforgiving environment like silent hill. This relates to Barry Keith Grant's comments about audiences relating to recognisable characters who are represented in this sub genre. For example, above is the trailer for 'World War Z'. This is an apocalyptic survival horror in which the majority of mankind has been infected by a rabid virus. The plot revolves around Gerry Lane, who must protect his family and help save humanity. Unlike most horror movies, WWZ is less gory and more action based; meaning it can be watched as a family film. The hero is a middle aged retired father who represents characteristics of a typical family man, which works as a short hand communication with the audience.
As Daniel Chandler stated, this genre is a 'distinct type of text' that simplifies and organises the mass chaos of the environment. An audience can look at a zombie film or a horror about a terrifying alternate world and they can predict that the plot will be based around the characters trying to preserve their lives against the obstacles of their circumstances. As John Fiske mentioned, this is both convenient for the audience and the producers. This is because the producers don't have to go into depth when explaining and advertising the intricacies of the film's premise, or worry about making their survival film different from others. Survival horror films (particularly zombie ones) are quite popular among fans. They are commonly watched because they don't have difficult plotlines that demand attention. Most people are content with viewing the entertainment of characters being victimised by the enemy; often in a gory way. Another reason that survival horror is so popular is because the premise of the film often portrays a dystopian society; whereby the events of the movie could actually take place. Many people like to imagine how they would survive if a zombie virus were to break out, or if they were trapped in an unforgiving environment like silent hill. This relates to Barry Keith Grant's comments about audiences relating to recognisable characters who are represented in this sub genre. For example, above is the trailer for 'World War Z'. This is an apocalyptic survival horror in which the majority of mankind has been infected by a rabid virus. The plot revolves around Gerry Lane, who must protect his family and help save humanity. Unlike most horror movies, WWZ is less gory and more action based; meaning it can be watched as a family film. The hero is a middle aged retired father who represents characteristics of a typical family man, which works as a short hand communication with the audience.
The second trailer is for silent hill; a film about a woman who searches for her daughter in the desolate land of silent hill (a purgatory filled with deadly creatures). Silent hill is a hybrid survival horror, which combines mystery, curses, religion, psychology and monsters. Although the plot is much more convoluted and detailed than a typical survival horror; it is nonetheless recognisable as such due to the threat of numerous creatures (a common element) that constantly attack the heroine.
Sub - genre 2: Paranormal horror
This is the trailer for 'The unborn'; a horror about a girl who is haunted by her twin brother who never got to live - because her umbilical cord killed him in the womb. It is mostly a paranormal horror since the villain of the film is an evil spirit. But like most horrors, it contains many other elements that make it more of a hybrid genre. These elements are; psychological disturbance, thriller, mystery and religion.
The familiar characteristics (reference to Barry Keith Grant) that make it recognisable as a paranormal horror include; nightmares, visitations, possessions and jump scares involving the spirit. These scenes in the trailer make it convenient (referencing John Fiske), as the audience knows what to expect when watching the movie and how the characteristics will try and deal with the situation (usually with an exorcism). Most paranormal horror's are simplified this way, which creates order (reference to Daniel Chandler) in the chaotic world of ghostly hauntings. Because of this, paranormal horror movies are very distinct and despite the occasional twist at the end; quite predictable.
Sub - genre 3: Psychological horror
The familiar characteristics (reference to Barry Keith Grant) that make it recognisable as a paranormal horror include; nightmares, visitations, possessions and jump scares involving the spirit. These scenes in the trailer make it convenient (referencing John Fiske), as the audience knows what to expect when watching the movie and how the characteristics will try and deal with the situation (usually with an exorcism). Most paranormal horror's are simplified this way, which creates order (reference to Daniel Chandler) in the chaotic world of ghostly hauntings. Because of this, paranormal horror movies are very distinct and despite the occasional twist at the end; quite predictable.
Sub - genre 3: Psychological horror
Psychological horror movies go beyond just wanting to scare their audience; they seek to create a more lasting impression. They either portray characters with extreme mental illnesses, or they show graphic, twisted material, designed to disturb viewer on a deep psychological level. There is no limit to the types of storylines that producers come up with, in order to achieve this. 'Saw' is a typical type of torture film, where a deranged psychopath locks up his victims and tortures them in gory ways. These types of films often include extreme body modifications which effectively shock and disgust the viewer; disturbing them with the fact that someone could inflict such harm on another. Attached is the trailer for 'Clown' - a gory psychological horror in which the main character's fear of clowns manifests itself into his being. It is categorised as such because it portrays a character losing their mind, as well as targeting audiences through this common phobia.
Attached is also the trailer for 'Goodnight mummy'; a film about the psychological changes that a woman goes through, after having a massive surgery and how this effects her twin boys.
It is difficult to categorise psychological horror movies, since many storylines are so diverse and different from each other - there aren't many common elements in each. Another reason is because the psychologically disturbing aspect of these films can be found in all horror movies, so it is not a very specific sub genre. Some films (like goodnight mummy) may not have ghosts or gore, but they are undoubtedly horror movies. Therefore, this sub-heading is a simple way to categorise them and label the unorthodox contents of the movie. Daniel Chant's comments (about labelling texts) and Barry Keith Grant's quote (about crossover genres) are relevant when describing the psychological sub genre. However, John Fiske's statement about common elements in genres cannot be applied here, because as stated, the storylines in psychological horror movies are too different to compare to each other.
Attached is also the trailer for 'Goodnight mummy'; a film about the psychological changes that a woman goes through, after having a massive surgery and how this effects her twin boys.
It is difficult to categorise psychological horror movies, since many storylines are so diverse and different from each other - there aren't many common elements in each. Another reason is because the psychologically disturbing aspect of these films can be found in all horror movies, so it is not a very specific sub genre. Some films (like goodnight mummy) may not have ghosts or gore, but they are undoubtedly horror movies. Therefore, this sub-heading is a simple way to categorise them and label the unorthodox contents of the movie. Daniel Chant's comments (about labelling texts) and Barry Keith Grant's quote (about crossover genres) are relevant when describing the psychological sub genre. However, John Fiske's statement about common elements in genres cannot be applied here, because as stated, the storylines in psychological horror movies are too different to compare to each other.
Some solid analysis here, you mention the theorists briefly but you could improve with more reference to them.
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