Generic tendencies & thematic identity

What are generic tendencies?

generic tendencies

• Common iconography of a genre
• Key recognisable characteristics
• Reoccur throughout a particular genre
• What would these be for the horror genre?

generic tendencies of horror

• Dark spaces
• Isolated locations
• Ghosts/ghouls - hauntings
• Old, creaking houses
• Masked figures & pagan rituals

generic tendencies of horror

• Scary children
• Blood
• Death
• Creepy toys
• Locked, forbidden rooms

What is thematic identity?

thematic identity

• Common themes
• Close study of the text
• Subtext - look beyond the imagery
• What would be the thematic identity of a horror film?

thematic identity of horror

• Freudian relationships
• Mental claustrophobia & isolation
• Haunted/hidden pasts
• Lost childhoods
• Sexual ambiguity

thematic identity of horror

• Intimidation
• Fear of the unknown
• Loss of innocence
• Monstrous feminine
• Questions of maternity

what to remember

• Both can shift & alter over time
• Can differ through sub-genres and hybrids
• Think about the LINK between the two