I have never thought about how most horror movies feature more vulnerable or weaker protagonists and stronger antagonists but that's a great point. That is how most horror movies go. And I am thinking most people consider Jaws horror, but it's always been hard for me to do that. I really think of it as a thriller. Thrillers usually involve strong antagonists and strong protagonists, which Jaws has. The three men fighting the shark are all strong in their own ways. And I've never thought it had that horror movie "feel". Jaws is a monster but he's also a very real monster. It's a shark. I mean, the guys in The Edge were running from a monster but it's a bear. That doesn't feel like horror to me. Excellent breakdown, John. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading, and for your thoughts here. I personally have always felt Jaws to be more of a thriller than a horror, but I suspect that the analysis in the paper would push it into the horror category. However, I think this is where the “simple” four-variable analysis is limited, because films can induce fear without crossing into horror. Although one is treated as a proxy for the other, they are actually distinct, which is why we have endless arguments about such things on social media. I’ve been looking more into this and found some interesting research to discuss in future. My focus is always on how creators can use these ideas to fine-tune their stories, which is always a delicate balance between art and science.
I have never thought about how most horror movies feature more vulnerable or weaker protagonists and stronger antagonists but that's a great point. That is how most horror movies go. And I am thinking most people consider Jaws horror, but it's always been hard for me to do that. I really think of it as a thriller. Thrillers usually involve strong antagonists and strong protagonists, which Jaws has. The three men fighting the shark are all strong in their own ways. And I've never thought it had that horror movie "feel". Jaws is a monster but he's also a very real monster. It's a shark. I mean, the guys in The Edge were running from a monster but it's a bear. That doesn't feel like horror to me. Excellent breakdown, John. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading, and for your thoughts here. I personally have always felt Jaws to be more of a thriller than a horror, but I suspect that the analysis in the paper would push it into the horror category. However, I think this is where the “simple” four-variable analysis is limited, because films can induce fear without crossing into horror. Although one is treated as a proxy for the other, they are actually distinct, which is why we have endless arguments about such things on social media. I’ve been looking more into this and found some interesting research to discuss in future. My focus is always on how creators can use these ideas to fine-tune their stories, which is always a delicate balance between art and science.
If Alien isn't a horror film then neither is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, or The Hills Have Eyes.
Alien is a monster movie...that makes it a horror film. It's that simple.
Thanks for sharing. But what about Aliens? That was the poll equation.
All three…monster movies. Firmly in the horror genre, at least in my book.