RG Moodboard and Analysis of the Supernatural Sub-Genre

The Setting

'The Exorcist' was set in a normal family home

It is conventional for a horror movie to be set in the protagonist's home. The location may vary, however, the setting is normally close to the main character. Supernatural's are set in people's homes or locations near to them because it promotes the fear or something unknown or unwanted being in someones personal presence, making you frightened as this is normally a place you would associate with comfort and enjoyment. Also, the theme of supernatural is almost always beyond our known reality, as nothing has been scientifically proven. Placing a supernatural horror in a normal place we can relate to, such as the home, creates verisimilitude and makes it more realistic for the audience.

The Plot

In Supernatural horror films there are normally two common themes. The first of this being a story which involves a home where previous residents have lived there and died, and new residents move in, with the spirit of the previous residents haunting them. For example, the movie 'The Amittyville Horrors' takes this format of plotline. 



The other common type of plotline used in this sub-genre is where a spirit/ghost takes control of a humans body or curses them. This takes place in the Supernatural horror 'The Exorcist'.

'Drag Me To Hell'

Characters

The characters that feature in this sub-genre of horror films appear to be 'normal' people that we can relate to. The main character is conventionally female, and are harmless, caring and loving human beings. Supernatural Horror's are different to slashers in the way that the main characters are not often being punished for the haunting they are receiving. In most cases, they do nothing wrong and do not deserve the horror they get. This is apparent in the movie 'Drag Me To Hell'.
Usually, the audience begin by fearing and hating the spirit that is haunting the main characters in the movie. However, as the narrative progresses, the audience take a more positive view on the haunter as they realise they are there for a reason, and aren't just mindlessly tormenting. 
This is apparent in the movie 'Mama'. This is as you begin to realise the ghost is just protective over the children because she see's them as her own, as she lost her own baby when she committed suicide with the baby a long time ago. 

The ghost in 'Mama'

Costumes

• The costumes used are often very simple. This is so that the audience aren't distracted away from the occurrences on screen. 
• Main character wears studio and conservative attire, nothing provocative or revealing.
• Main female character is likely to wear something sophisticated
• Also likely to wear casual garments when in the home, for example, jeans.

Events or Occurrences

• The creaking of a door or a curtain blowing in the wind are stereotypical as it represents the idea of the unknown.
• Normally takes place at the beginning of the narrative, to indicate to the audience the idea of something else being present.
• Often in this sub-genre, you see a shot of the protagonist looking into a mirror, to see the 'ghost' beside her in the reflection.
• There is often the searching of the house by the main characters to try and reveal the history of the ghost.
• For example, in 'Deadline', the main character searches the attic with the aim to find out more about the 'visitor' and finds video tapes of the couple that once lived in the house and are now haunting it.
• Other conventional features are, the flickering of candles, evidence of unknown appliances, peeping through the key hole, squeaky noises such as the creaking of the floor, dripping water and the protagonist hiding in the corner of a room.

Sounds

• Orchestral music is often used.
• Empathetic music is used to show the emotions of the characters that feature.
• Contrasting sound is often used to show a difference in the events in the shot, with the juxtaposition of a contrasting sound to create irony. Such as using the laugh of a sweet, innocent child, with the aim to create fear.
• Amplified sound is often used to create emphasis on certain sounds that would be used to scare the audience, such as the suspense of a loud creaking door, or faint whispering from a spirit.

Lighting

Daniel Radcliffe using a candle for light in 'The Woman in Black'

• Back lighting is often used in scenes where the spirit will not be exposed, so we can only see the silhouette of a spirit.
• Profile lighting is used to make a character appear sinister, it indicates to the audience whether a character can be trusted or not.  
• Under lighting is lighting that comes from below the scene and this is done in scenes of desperation for the characters. Also used is minimal lighting via the use of torches or candles through the characters as the audience fear what they cannot see.