Representation

Character RepresentationWithin Horror Movies

Representation of GenderWith most films, main female characters are always represented to have some sort of mental illness, and this is even more apparent with horror films, as it adds to the on edge feel of most horror films. Also female characters are represented with low intelligence, making tem an easy target.With male characters, it is implied that the bad guy is male, as they can then be seen as more intimidating. But when male characters are victims in a horror film they are normally seen as strong and defiant of the bad guys.

Gender Cont.However, there are exceptions to the rule. For example in Scream 4, because of the masks and cloaks the person/people on a hunting spree isnt figured out until the very end, where it is discovered that it is one of the more innocent girls of the whole film. When it is found out that she has been the one killing people it is apparent that she is a little crazy (as are most lead women) but it is a big surprise to the audience as she is a very unconventional character, and actress, to be playing a serial killer, and that adds to the horror of the film.

Representation of DisabilityRepresentation of disability in horror films is usual based around the killer/bad guy. The back story for a killer is usually that they have had a horrible childhood or someone has wronged them in the past, causing them to be mentally ill, and this puts them in the right mind to be a serial killer. In the cases of Jason, from Friday the 13th, he is represented as having a child-like mind, and doesnt understand that what he is doing is wrong. Also with women, especially if they are the main character, are more likely to be mentally unstable, causing them to fight the killer back, or join forces with them. It can also cause them to turn into killers themselves.

Disability Cont.People with disability arent very likely to be in a horror film as they are unconventional to the horror film genre.

Representation of AgeMost villains are stereotypically classes as middle age, as any younger they would probably be too nave, and any older they would be too weak to be a killer. Normally, if the victims are younger (i.e. children) or older they are more likely to be weak, making them an easy target.With a lot of Slasher Films, most main characters are teenagers or young adults, and I think this is because they can be represented in many different ways, like easily confused and caught out, or as a very intelligent killer that isnt caught out till the very end of the film . A good example of this would be the Scream Franchise, as most of the characters are quite young, and this means they can be either killed easily, or kill people easily.

Representation of RaceAlthough it is wrong, a lot of killers in horror films are of different race to the majority within the film, especially in older movies before ethics were brought into the film industry. In earlier films, race was used as an excuse to killer others, but now that more ethics where brought in that isnt the case as much.