Case Study for Sub Genre (Horror-Thriller)

The sub-genre Horror Thriller plays host to many of the world’s best movies. For example The Silence of the Lambs, 28 Days Later, Psycho and the Saw series. The films The Silence of the Lambs, 28 Days Later and Psycho used to be known specifically as horror movies but have now become Horror-Thrillers. This is because horrors are now seen to be explicitly gory and have jump scenes or supernatural content.

Horror-Thrillers usually show a conflict between the main characters which are usually mental, emotional and physical. For example the Saw films. What makes a horror-thriller unique though is the main element of fear throughout the storyline or plot. This means that the main character is up against something that is stronger or more powerful than them only for them to become the victims.

We could put The Silence of the Lambs into the horror-thriller sub-genre because it puts an audience on the edge. You feel scared at what Hannibal Lector might do. You can also feel fear because by the end of the film Hannibal Lector escapes and you begin to worry what he is going to do to other people.

Psycho also has a good scene in which fear can be instilled within the audience.

This image from psycho shows can give a sense of fear because you can tell that the person in holding a knife but you cannot see the persons face. Not only does it make you fear for the victim, but the shot makes you fear for your life as well. This is one of the most iconic images from the horror-thriller genre.