Conventions of Horror Genre

Setting

The location of a horror film is expected to be dark and isolated. I place with shady atmosphere to create the eerie feeling in the audience. For example, an abandoned building, an asylum, a dark basement, an attic etc. All the dramatic suspenseful scenes are expected to happen at night because that is when most of the people are most vulnerable.

Theme

Themes that frighten the viewers are used. Good vs Evil, Death or a Supernatural force introduced to everyday world. Such themes are rather bizarre and exotic. These films often deal with viewer's hidden fears, nightmares and terror of the unknown..

Narrative Structure

Narrative structure used in horror film follows Toderov's theory of Equilibrium. The audience is introduced to the characters and the setting and figure out the protagonist and the antagonist. They later face a supernatural or demonic obstacle in their lives. It usually ends with a twist or has a bittersweet conclusion.