Horror Genre Research - Characters

Horror Genre - Characters

Another heavily stereotyped section of the horror genre would be that of its character types, which often follow a very similar format, which in turn results in very similar outcomes for these characters.

The Jock

A heavily used character type in many genre of film, this character is often portrayed as very confident, often related in some way to sport. They are often in good physical shape, which they often talk about to other characters, going with their often arrogant and bully like personas. These character often react in one of two ways to the threat of the movie, by being fearless and overconfident in their assault on the villain, or cowardly and fearful of them, with both cases often leading to their deaths. 

      

Popular Girl 

This character is commonly portrayed as attractive young teenager who is liked by most of the characters in the film mainly due to her looks, while actually being a shallow and dime character really. They are also often used to bring a wider male audience in to the film, as their attractiveness appeals to the male gaze of many cinema goers. This character is often one of the first to be killed of by the films monster, as they will freak out straight away, running straight in to the arms of the murder.

Authority Figure 

The role of this character is to be a leader to the other characters, trying to keep them safe from the threat. They are often much older than the rest of the group, and could have a job in law enforcement or other physical occupations, which they use to take charge of the group. They also often present a farther figure role to the rest of the group, someone who is friendly and approachable, while also being strong and confident. They often die in some kind of heroic act, saving another member of the group. 

Final Girl 

The point of this character is to show the impact that the events of the horror film has had on a character, molding them and developing them in to a completely different character to what we see at the beginning of the film. They are originally presented as quite shy and confidential, relying heavily on friend and partners. By the end of the film, their feminine characteristics are replaced by strong and independent survival plans, which often accumulates in them surviving against all odds. 

Villain 

This character is the core of the plot for the entire film, with their actions influencing the motive for every other character. They are often seen as overbearing, unstoppable creatures that are only there to try and kill the rest of the characters, instilling fear in to them at in every scene. They often have a compelling backstory told through the film to the motives of their attack, which can often give a small layer of sympathy from the audience, humanizing them. Alternatively, their motives and history is often left complacently unknown, adding to the mystery of their beginnings, increasing the fear the characters feel from them. Inevitably, the character is overpowered by either the lead character of the film in a final showdown, or by the group as a whole, as they band together to defeat them.