Stephanie Camello Discusses Some of the Most Common Horror Movie Tropes
What was once seen as a niche genre has recently become celebrated by mainstream film viewers. Within the past ten years, horror movies like The Conjuring and The VVitch have changed outdated perceptions regarding the horror and allowed the genre to become part of more extensive discussions regarding film storytelling. For years, film experts have written off the horror genre for lacking plot development and instead focusing on cliches, tropes, and jump scares. Stephanie Camello, a long-time lover of the horror genre, believes that these tropes and cliches should not be viewed as restrictive but as a foundation for the development of a dynamic plot. Today, Stephanie Camello will discuss some of the tropes most commonly seen in horror films and why they are effective within the genre.
The Abandoned House
Whether it be an old and dilapidated mansion or a bare-bones insane asylum, horror movie settings frequently feature an abandoned house. This trope is most likely used because imagery depicting old and abandoned places left behind by occupants reminds audiences about the passing of time and death. Audiences can imagine the villain living out their lives in these locations and can gain additional information regarding their background and death/descent into madness.
Splitting Up
While this trope can easily be written off as a device directors use to further their story and allow for faster character development, this trope speaks more to an innate human fear of being alone in dangerous situations. There is a simple reason why audiences scream at the screen when horror movie characters decide to “cover more ground,” it is because there is strength in numbers. There are, however, instances in horror movies where the characters have no choice but to split up or are separated. In these situations, this trope is especially useful for building tension and fear for the audience.
Jump Scares
Horror movies have two main purposes; to tell a good story and to scare their audiences. Simply put, jump scares are a necessity for horror movies because they are one of the most effective ways to scare an audience. Compared to other scares, jump scares work differently because they often cause a physical reaction for viewers and, when done correctly, will often result in a rush of adrenaline. Additionally, horror movies can use jump scares to showcase villain characteristics while creating a physical response for viewers.
