#bird box

So, naturally, i spent my entire politics class making this guide to horror genres—to save my fellow stabby baddies from stumbling into lifelong trauma by accident. DISCLAIMER: i am not a horror expert, merely a horror enthusiast- pls don’t crucify me if i get something wrong 😭🙏

psychological:

focuses on the mental and emotional fears of characters, exploring stuff like their paranoia, guilt, repressed trauma, or mental instability, making the audience question what’s real

eg. the babadook, black swan, midsommar

slasher:

has a killer (usually masked or anonymous) who stalks and brutally murders victims. known for high body counts, intense gore, and iconic villains. often has a "final girl" trope where one survivor faces the killer.

eg. scream, halloween, friday the 13th

gothic:

blends horror with romanticism and melodrama, often featuring decayed mansions, tragic characters, and themes of madness and death. atmosphere is key.

eg. woman in black, dracula, the haunting

supernatural:

centres on being beyond human comprehension, like ghosts, demons, or cursed objects. usually relies on an eerie atmosphere to instill dread.

eg. the conjuring, the exorcist, (arguably) child’s play

body horror:

shows physical transformation, mutation, or grotesque damage to the human body. often used to reflect deeper fears, like losing control over yourself.

eg. the thing, human centipede, the fly

found footage:

done as "discovered" or "real" footage, usually from a handheld camera perspective. creates immersion through its raw, unpolished style.

eg. the blair witch project, rec, cloverfield

survival:

focuses on characters fighting to survive against overwhelming odds, like monsters, natural disasters, or hostile environments. usually focuses on desperation.

eg. a quiet place, bird box, the descent

folk:

uses elements of folklore and pagan rituals. often features isolated communities and the outsiders that wonder into them

eg. the wicker man, the witch, häxan

monster:

focuses on a central creature, whether it’s a giant beast, werewolf, vampire, or something entirely original. often reflects fears of powerlessness and the unknown.

eg. cloverfield, jaws, jurassic park (???)

sci-fi:

merges science fiction with horror, focusing on advanced technology, alien life, or experiments gone wrong

eg. alien, event horizon, under the skin

exploitation:

known for pushing boundaries with graphic violence, sexual content, or disturbing themes. often meant to shock and provoke strong reactions.

eg. saw, vacancy, hostel

zombie:

what it says on the tin. has zombies as the main antagonist, usually set in an apocalyptic setting.

eg. dawn of the dead, 28 days later, train to busan

haunted house:

focuses on a specific location (often a house or institution) that is cursed, possessed, or haunted

eg. the amityville horror, poltergeist, the haunting of hill house

horror-comedy:

balances scare factor with humor, usually witty and has a lot of “meta” moments (eg. john in ‘the babysitter’ panicking because “they always kill the black one first!”- a common practice in old slashers”). *not to be confused with spoofs*

eg. the babysitter, jennifers body, bride of chucky

cosmic:

focuses on the insignificance of humanity in the face of vast, unknowable cosmic forces. often evokes existential dread rather than traditional scares.

eg. the mist, the endless, colour out of lace

spoof/satire:

makes fun of cheesy horror tropes for comedic value.