Horror sub-genres and hybrids



A sub-genre is for works which fall into a specific class within a genre which

is a larger category, in this case horror films whilst a horror hybrid is a combination of horror film aspects and conventions of another genre.




Alien (1979) Is a classic example of a science-fiction horror film, another example I have looked at is The Thing (1982) both use an extraterrestrial antagonist which is conventional of sci-fi horror but can also extend to the threat being mad scientist or scientific advances.

 

I Am Legend (2007)

A post-apocalyptic science-fiction horror film

Zombie film this sub-genre also contains categories within it such as ‘zombie apocalypse’ a break down in society due to a living dead outbreak, I Am Legend is also an example of this, so is  Shaun of the dead (2004) though this also fits into the category ‘zombie comedy’.

Shuan of the Dead's (2004) UK release poster provokes a humorous response whilst being in the zombie horror genre.

Frankenstein (1931) is classed as a horror monster film

The Faculty (1998) a science fiction horror is also an example of teen horror which is usually based around a ratable teenage/youth lifestyle with the main protagonists being young or teenagers.

Slasher films are a popular sub-genre of horror and can usually be identified by the icons such as knives, axes and other killer weapons being frequently shown to elicit violent murders, the antagonist of Slasher films are commonly psychotic serial killers.

 

Psycho (1960)  is a forerunner of the Slasher sub-genre when comparing this film to Sceam (1996) athough the theme remains there has been a definate evolution in Slasher films as they push new limitations and break expectations of the sub-genre.



Blair witch project is both a psychological horror; which threatens to uncap the protagonists  fears and mental stability and a splatter film which purposefuklly focuses in on gore and gruesome violence to horrify its viewers.

supernatural horrors films are constantly reacurring throught time as they play on the timeless fear of the unknown.