What defines a horror film?

P

PDX_DVX

Veteran
I am just curious as to what everyone thinks "defines a horror film" some of the things I brainstormed were:

Of course a villian, foe, or some sort of evil force
Attacks on things that we as a society hold safe and secure (as in getting slashed in the shower- Psycho)
And for the most part they seem to have some sort of human element to them.
 
Hmmm - anything that invokes fear inside the viewer? I don't think a villain is necessary. It doesn't hurt, but I think the 'fear factor' is an essential element of horror - everything else varies from film to film, IMO.
 
XCheck said:
I don't think a villain is necessary.
Click to expand...

I agree, it doesn't need to be a villain, per se, but there has to be some sort of sinister presence. It's tough to explain. I guess horror movies just have a tone that defines them, or maybe a feeling they give you. For me, that feeling is exhilaration.
 
"The horror cinematic genre is characterized by the attempt to make the viewer experience dread, fear, terror, or horror. Its plots often involve the intrusion of an evil force, event or personage, sometimes of supernatural origin, on the mundane world and the consequences thereof."

When in doubt, Wikiepedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horror_movie
 
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