The Sub-Genres

Horror movies offer a unique thrill, and their diverse subgenres add depth to the genre. From supernatural thrillers to psychological horrors and body transformations, each subgenre caters to different audience preferences. Classics like “Nosferatu” and “Frankenstein” laid the foundation, while films like “The Exorcist” and “Halloween” popularized supernatural and slasher subgenres. Psychological horrors like “Psycho” blur the line between reality and illusion, while body horror films like “The Fly” explore physical decay. With their distinct narratives, horror subgenres captivate and terrify audiences, ensuring there’s something to thrill everyone in the dark and macabre corners of cinema.

Here’s your chance to vie with the greats. Each team will have three different sub genres to choose from, of course, these will be randomly given to on the first day of the contest! Here is a list of the subgenres we will use and a few movies you can check out for reference.

Psychological

Unlike its counterparts, this subgenre delves into the intricacies of the human mind, crafting narratives that instill a deep sense of unease and psychological torment. Films like “Psycho,” “The Shining,” and “Black Swan” masterfully manipulate perception, blurring the boundaries between reality and illusion. By tapping into our deepest fears, anxieties, and inner demons, psychological horror movies create an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. Through atmospheric settings, mind-bending narratives, and thought-provoking themes, this genre offers a chilling exploration of the human psyche, leaving audiences questioning their own sanity.

Paranoia

The Babadook
Goodnight Mommy

Madness

The Shining
Hereditary

Killer

Offering chilling narratives that focus on human monstrosity and the terror of being hunted. “Scream” blends self-awareness and meta-commentary with its slasher narrative, introducing a masked killer who targets teenagers while paying homage to horror movie tropes. While “Deep Red” adds an artistic flair to the killer subgenre. It combines mystery, psychological horror, and graphic violence, focusing on an amateur sleuth unraveling a murder mystery in a visually stylized and atmospheric setting. “The Hills Have Eyes” explores the horror of human savagery in a desolate and unforgiving landscape.  It taps into primal fears of survival and confronts the dark side of humanity. These films thrive on suspenseful chase sequences, elaborate death scenes, and the thrill of survival. With their twisted characters and brutal violence, the killer subgenre taps into our primal fears, reminding us that true horror can often be found within the darkest depths of human nature.

Backwoods

Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Hills Have Eyes
Wolf Creek

Monster 

The monster subgenre in horror films encompasses a range of creatures, from classic Universal Monsters to extraterrestrial beings and zombies. These films explore fear, survival, and human nature. Classic Universal Monsters established iconic creatures as misunderstood outcasts. Extraterrestrial horror blends science fiction and terror, with films like “Alien” and “The Thing.” Zombie movies, like “Night of the Living Dead,” depict the undead in post-apocalyptic worlds. Each creature represents a different facet of fear, challenging our notions of monstrosity. The monster subgenre offers diverse horrors, from tragic monsters to enigmatic beings and relentless undead, tapping into primal fears.

Werewolf

The Wolfman
Dog Soldires
Wer

Alien

The Thing
Signs
Alien

Paranormal 

The paranormal horror subgenre delves into the unexplained, the occult, and the otherworldly, leaving audiences trembling in fear. From classics like “The Exorcist” to modern hits like “Insidious,” these films transport viewers into realms haunted by malevolent spirits, demons, and supernatural forces. With spine-tingling suspense, jump scares, and eerie atmospheres, paranormal horror movies tap into our deepest fears of the unknown. Whether it’s a possessed child, a haunted house, or a cursed object, these films explore the thin veil between the living and the dead, haunting our imagination and reminding us that there are realms beyond our comprehension, lurking with terrifying entities.

Possession

The Exorcist
The Rite

Supernatual

It Follows
Oculus

Gore & Disturbing

These films, often labeled as extreme or “splatter” horror, unapologetically delve into the grotesque, showcasing graphic violence, mutilation, and explicit scenes that shock and repel audiences. From classics like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” to modern cult favorites like “Hostel,” these movies tap into our primal fears and curiosity, challenging societal norms and provoking intense reactions. While not for the faint of heart, gore-filled horror films provide a unique and visceral experience for those seeking an extreme and unsettling cinematic journey.

Cannibal

The Green Inferno
Cannibal Holocaust
Troubles Every Day

Modifiers 

Teams have the opportunity to gain an edge by skillfully incorporating a modifier. By adeptly integrating the modifier, teams can unlock additional points and enhance their storytelling, the strategic and thoughtful use of the modifier demonstrates the team’s creativity, adaptability, and mastery of storytelling. Skillfully weaving the modifier into the narrative can elevate the impact of the short film, capturing the attention and admiration of audiences (and judges) alike.

Romance

Let the Right One In
Warm Bodies

Body

The Fly
Society

Technology

Unfriended
Pulse