Last Updated on October 2, 2021 by Sean Donlevy
Horror is a film genre whose aim is to awaken feelings of fear, tension, discomfort, horror, and disgust at the viewer. It’s often about serial killers (who may have supernatural origins), events, and evil forces that threaten the characters or world of the film.
Horror movies usually involve zombies or vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons or demonic possession (as in the Exorcist, for example), curses, evil children, serial killers, vicious animals, cannibals, satanism, haunted houses, aliens and dolls that get the life of black magic or some kind of voodoo.
It has proven to be popular with specific stories and characters, often classic literature. It has inspired many sequels, new recordings and re-releases. Dracula, Frankenstein, Mummy, The Wolfman, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is included. Many horror films mix several genres, especially thriller, fantasy, and science fiction. The boundary between these genres and horror has often been a source of debate among fans and film critics.
Horror movies are often associated with exploitation and low budget, but respected directors and large studios have also regularly contributed to the genre. Throughout the history of film, the genre’s marginal status has caused it very critical rejection and moral condemnation.
The marginal status of the genre has caused the very critical rejection and moral condemnation of film history. The new generations of film critics of the last few decades, more focused on taking popular genres seriously, have given horror considerable attention and analysis, especially with regard to its subversive content. However, it has become a major source of controversy over the same period, as its content of gross violence has increased, as well as being hostile to women, especially from feminist critics.