The Horror Genre - Narrative Structure and Themes

Many films from all kinds of genres frequently follow the three-act-structure, and the horror genre is no exception. Obviously, there are slight variations in narrative structure because the intended effect of horror films is to scare and unsettle the audience - hence, the inciting incident at the end of Act 1, for example, often happens much sooner in the horror genre than in many other genres (often right at the beginning of the film).

Also, the slightly differing nature of horror sub-genres can impact on an individual film's narrative structure, with the structure of slasher movies, for example, slightly different to psychological horror films.

Horror films are frequently structured in the following way:

Introduction of Protagonists/Antagonists and Setting

Horror films can either start with a sense of normality and equilibrium, or begin with a dramatic abnormal event to create enigma for the audience. Horror films either begin by introducing the setting where the subsequent action will take place, establishing the location's isolation, or they focus on introducing key characters such as the film's protagonist/hero, the first victim or the film's monster, revealing important character traits to the audience.

Rising Tension and Threat Introduction

As the plot progresses there are subtle increases of tension, where the film's director will manipulate the audience by amplifying the threat level to the main characters. The key way in which threat will be introduced is through the film's monster or killer character.

Catalyst or Trigger Event

It is common in horror films for an event to take place that acts as a catalyst for the subsequent terror in the narrative. This moment disrupts the characters' sense of normality and often takes place relatively early in the film.

Escalation of Threat

The situation foregrounded in the trigger event becomes more dangerous for the film's protagonist, which creates significant tension and suspense for the audience.

Midpoint Revelation

In the middle of the narrative of a horror film it is common for an event to occur that redirects the action of the film and forces the film's protagonists to reconsider their actions.

Confrontation and Final Showdown

Horror films frequently include a final showdown between the 'monster' character and any remaining survivors. This confrontation can lead to different climaxes - though the most common are the 'monster' being defeated (frequently, in modern horror films, by the 'final girl' character) or the last of the protagonists being killed off by the 'monster'. 

Resolution or Twist Ending

Often horror movies conclude with a twist ending where some unexpected element is revealed in order to shock or unsettle the viewer, or the film's resolution will leave many unanswered questions leading to a sense of unease for the spectator and setting up a potential sequel.

Key Storylines

Key storylines in horror films often involve survival (commonly of a disparate group of characters who have their own internal conflicts) against a supernatural threat or killer, a group of people seeking to overcome supernatural forces, a group lost or trapped in the wilderness, a post-apocalyptic world which must be navigated, characters dealing with severe psychological trauma, or revenge from beyond the grave.

Themes

The key themes of horror films are: existential dread and the fear of death, fear of the unknown, the occult and religious themes, mental illness and psychological terror, fear of the supernatural, trauma and its effects, isolation and alienation (literal or metaphorical), revenge, justice and retribution.