Horror research; themes

The traditional themes of horror films have also become more adventurous, horror films with an apocalyptic theme, play on contemporary worries and fears. The film 2012 released after much rumour and conspiracy of the end of the world according to this date. During research I noted this is what all conventional horror films seemed to base their ideas on; amplifying what scares people the most at the time and making the situations seem realistic. A good example of this would be the Final Destination films. Firstly as the treat is death itself a common fear, but the way in which characters experience death or situations they must avoid it are everyday activities and part of life. This intensifies the idea that death can strike at any moment but the Final Destination films play on everyday concerns in particular such as rollercoasters breaking down heavy machinery, lorries on the road even injuries in sport. Other films may also do this more subtly pointing out seeds of disaster in society; Eden Lake displays tensions with young people. Disease is also a prominent topic of recent years including the cures and technology to prevent them films that use this uncertainty to their advantage are Contagion, Planet of the apes and I am legend.