HORROR CONVENTIONS
There are regular conventions which can be observed in horror films. They are evident in the vast majority of all horror films made because we are easily scared by them or they help to create an atmosphere which is tense. For example:
It is common to find a lot of horror films to take place when the weather is bad. When the wether conditions are not great, it creates a sense of something not being right. Rain and storms are classic as they have connotations of danger and hazardous conditions. Also, rain often limits you to one specific place as people do not want to be caught up in it, meaning they often resort to being trapped inside somewhere where something bad could potentially occur.
TIME
A lot of horror films could also be found taking place at night due to the dark conditions. Night time is rational as people tend to have a fear of the dark and not being able to see whats going on. Their minds create images of what could potentially happen in dark conditions without you necessarily needing to do anything. For example, imagining monsters under your bed. Therefore, to take place at night when it is dark helps to create an extra element of rational fear.
VICTIMS
Victims in horror over the years have been traditionally female as the female stereotype is said to portray them weker than the male gender. Also, it is nit uncommon for the female victim to be blonde as also stereotypically, blonde women are less bright than any other kind of person. Of course these are only stereotypes, yet they have remained in horror films for a long time. Obviously there are exceptions and some films which do not fit the trend, although many still follow this trend even today.
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HORROR FOLKLORE
Often in horror stories, there will be some kind of ancient myth or fable about something scary which tends to be brushed aside as nonsense, only for it to happen and catch the characters in the film off guard.This can be found in such horror classics as The Ring, Nightmare on Elm Street and Sinister.
HOME ALONE
In most horror films, at one point the characters will be home alone. this is common because when people are left alone there isn't any authority which gives the character freedom, until the killer takes it away which leaves them scared and vulnerable in a place which is meant to be where they are most safe. For example Casey in scream, who is home alone when the phone rings and she starts talking to the killer and as time goes on she locks herself inside her home to try and stay safe which takes they safety away from her home, which people connotate as the most safe place a person can be.
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