Hybrid Horror; Horror/Thriller

The Shining

At the beginning we are given an establishing shot of an isolated holiday destination with a violent history which links to Barthes enigma code. It builds up suspension and mystery and keeps viewers engaged and interested. The creepy non-diegetic music accompanied with the warning serious voice of the narrator sets up a tense atmosphere, this is a common creative features in horror films/trailers.

Narrative theorist Levi-Strauss states the constant creation of conflict/opposition propels the narrative. The opposition can be visual, the winter season shown in the trailer darkness outside emphasising the darkness/madness inside. The editing is quite slow at the beginning, the shots fade into one another this is to build up the pace and anticipation and is effective in creating a sinister feel.

In the trailer the image of the axe is a reoccurring one, which has an iconography of gore and madness. Also, the idea of a man changing and having an evil double side to him fits into genre theorists Freuds idea of horror films of having a doppelganger or the notion of having a double, in this case a double within himself.

This is a two shot of the victims, again incorporating children to make the storyline seem sicker, dragging innocence into madness. It sets up the equilibrium of a normal nuclear family planning a holiday; however we are presented with the disequilibrium first to entice us and the equilibrium in the middle, making the trailer more sinister.

This jumpy close up of the villain is effective editing to show his emotions and a focus on his eyes. Direct address with the camera is often used but having our protagonist look menacingly into the distance at something not in our vision captures our imagination. The lighting in horror films is usually non- naturalistic, which is shown here creates a spooky atmosphere and depiction of the character.

The use of blood is the most typical graphic creative feature in horror films/trailers. It is explicit gore provided for shock value to make audiences flinch or cover their eyes because of the intensity of shots.

The non diegetic music has really quickened in pace at this point and has succeeded in building up the tension. This close-up peeking through the gap reveals how menacing he looks with his growling teeth and crazed look in his eye. This film was released in 1980, and probably nowadays wouldnt be considered to be so shocking due to the audience theory desensitisation. The over exposure of violence/gore leaves audiences immune thus harder to shock and scare.