“Wanna see something really scary?” - Twilight Zone: The Movie

We all like to be scared, right? Well, okay, some of us do. And based on box office numbers from the past few years, quite a few of us do. Usually shot at break-neck speed, with budget limitations in mind, Horror films have established and nurtured their core, niche audience - younger folks that like to scream and squeal. And the result is a thriving genre that annually proves to be one of the most consistent investments in the film industry.

Horror films have long been extremely lucrative. From low-budget Corman-esque slasher flicks to the more studio-friendly Japanese, supernatural remakes, this brand of celluloid fills theater seats without breaking the bank. Take, for instance, the 2004 Halloween hit “The Grudge.” The total negative cost was budgeted around $10 million, and the film raked in $110 million. Similarly, the teen-friendly “Final Destination” series rallied approximately $50 million in negative costs, but watched domestic box office revenue soar to over $100 million. And we’re not even assessing International box office, DVD, or cable licenses.

But perhaps the most impressive financial benefit to the Horror genre is its ability to repurpose long-standing franchises over the course of long periods of time – just take a look at movies such as “The Fly” or “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Most film historians considered the latter of which a solid franchise through the 70’s and early 80’s. But the recent 2003 remake took Leatherface to new heights – bringing in a whopping domestic box office total of $80 million. The continuation of the franchise not only survived, but flourished. And business entities in the film world have long been aware of this - just look at successful franchises such like “Friday the 13th,” “A Nightmare On Elm Street,” and “Halloween.” Each of these film series began in the late 70’s/ early 80’s and have successfully released films with their franchise character within the last 2 years.

But what, exactly, is so entertaining about fear?

Good screenwriters know that fear generates a core emotional response that actually changes the body’s chemical response for a small period in time. This shift inside an audience, in turn, creates thrilling moments in which their participation actually engages them physically with the stories on the screen. This is because horror films are emotion-based experiences. And while there are certainly exceptions to the rule, most movies within this genre worry less about plot development and focus more on the eliciting this specific emotional reaction. To do this, they employ several tried-and-true techniques:

Set-up and Pay-off

At one point in time, we have all probably yelled out – “Don’t go in there!” But the character does… and they usually get what we paid to see. Much like comedies, horror films set an audience up for an emotional experience by introducing elements that will later pay off in a ‘horrific’ beat. This set-up, however, isn’t just about triggering the final beat, rather it builds tension throughout the scene to really punch the final moment and elicit a genuine scare from the audience.

Sense of Predation

At our core, we are all animals. And while the trappings of society have made it easier for us to protect ourselves from more natural predators such as lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!), the instinct to avoid becoming prey is layered deep into our psyche. Good horror films, in turn, tap into this exact emotional experience. They often create viscerally dangerous situations, allowing the audience to share in the experience of being hunted with the main characters. Additionally, the audience is usually provided more knowledge of a given situation than the lead character. As a result, the fear is heightened and the pay-off is much more intense.

The Antagonist

Because a horror film’s antagonist plays the key role in driving audiences to the theater, these movies are not usually bound to movie star participation. These flicks know that the real star of the film is the ghost, killer, or dangerous creature lurking behind every corner. Creating a unique antagonist with even more unique approaches to malevolence is not only applauded, but required. So much so, in fact, most horror franchises are defined by their villain, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” being case and point.

Types of Horror Films

So, let’s take a look at some of the popular structures for horror films. While many of these certainly cross the lines into other sub-genres, most horror flicks fall into the four following categories:

Creature Feature - A key element driving this type of horror script is its ability to create the sense of being hunted. Perhaps this is because it plays on some very primal notions – at the core we are just animals. Creature Features – horror films featuring non-human antagonists – exploit this over and over again. That universal sensation is based on an ancient predatory fear that lies deep within most animals below the top of the food chain. It stems from one of our most basic desires – survival.

Slasher Flicks - This sub-genre is very closely related to the Creature Feature. In theory many of the principles are the same – the predatory base, the savagery, and certainly the unpredictable response. But what makes this group of films especially scary is their ability to put a recognizable face on the killer. Rather than becoming animal food, victims in these horror films fall prey to the whimsy of “human animals” – villains dedicated to killing for fun and without remorse.

Supernatural Horror - This is often called the Haunted House genre. Usually restricted by location and cultural ‘rules,’ this sub-genre preys on the viewers’ fear of the unknown. Generating a number of unpredictable responses and linking them to deep-set mythology, this group of films dates back to stories around the campfire.

Psychological Horror - Usually slow, methodical, and maddening, psychological horror films often examine the breakdown of sanity in the main character. These stories highlight the darker side of humanity and tend to save gore for the other genres. A much more subtle journey into evil this type of horror exhibits understated film techniques and long, sickeningly quiet moments.