Genre Research

 

 

What is Mystery-Horror?

The Mystery-Horror genre blends elements of both mystery and horror, creating suspenseful stories where characters must uncover hidden truths while facing terrifying supernatural or psychological threats. The genre thrives on the unknown, often leaving audiences questioning what is real and what is imagined.

Films from the Mystery-Horror Genre
I will be showing how the films are connected to this genre and how they enhance the films using different elements. 

The Witch (2015)

                                              

Source - Pinterest

Atmospheric Horror and Mystery:
The film builds suspense through its frightening 1630s New England setting, using isolation and religious paranoia to create fear and uncertainty.

Unreliable Perspective & Mystery:

The film keeps viewers questioning reality, blending supernatural elements with psychological distress, making them confused about whether the horror is real or imagined.

Naturalistic Cinematography & Symbolism:
Dim lighting, long takes, and gloomy landscapes amplify the mystery and horror, making nature itself feel ominous.

Sound Design and Score:
The frightening soundtrack, unsettling choral music, and moments of silence increase tension, reinforcing both the supernatural horror and the mystery of the family's fate.

Cuckoo (2024)

Source - Google Images

Isolated Setting:

The story unfolds in a remote Bavarian resort, amplifying feelings of isolation and vulnerability, which is common in horror narratives.

Mysterious Plot Developments:
The narrative introduces elements that tease psychological tension and supernatural horror, keeping viewers engaged and guessing.

Themes of Isolation and Grief:
The exploration of isolation and grief adds depth to the character's experiences, enhancing the psychological horror aspect.

Ambiguous Narrative:
The film's ambiguous plot allows for multiple interpretations, surrounding themes of sisterhood, family and reproductive health, relying on the audience to derive their own meanings.

Types of Protagonists from this Genre

Source - Google Images

Dr. Rose Cotter is the protagonist of the film Smile. She is a psychiatrist who begins experiencing terrifying hallucinations after witnessing the suicide of a patient. This really affected her because of her past childhood trauma, which was linked to her mother's death. Also, she struggles with isolation. Her character was seen as a cursed individual, making her life tragic and terrifying. 

Source - Google Images

Malorie Hayes is the protagonist of the film Bird Box. Her life was to navigate a post-apocalyptic world where unseen entities make people commit suicide upon sight. Her character revolves around overcoming fear and trauma and embracing love and responsibility, and also, she must adapt to survive in a horrifying situation.

Source - Google Images

The protagonists are Patrick Wilson and Lorraine Warren of the film Conjuring. They were paranormal investigators. They work together to help families tormented by supernatural entities, uncovering dark secrets behind hauntings. They both had a good bond, and that helped them to face any terrifying encounters while balancing personal struggles. 

Types of Antagonists from this Genre

Source - Google Images

The antagonist is Adrian Griffin of the film The Invisible Man. He is a genius scientist who fakes his death to torment his ex-girlfriend. His character is seen as a terrifying villain because he uses psychological and physical abuse to maintain control, making him a realistic antagonist.

Source - Google Images

The antagonist, Pennywise, of the film It, is an ancient evil that preys on children's fears, often appearing as a terrifying clown. It torments its victims psychologically before consuming their fear and can take many forms. It awakens every 27 years to hunt in the town of Derry, making it one of the most disturbing horror antagonists. 

I also did a small Prezi presentation and used Pinterest for some pictures. Here is the link.   https://prezi.com/p/tl2tequ7_sdz/?present=1

Learning Outcome

Researching the mystery-horror genre really helped me learn how the story connects to its genre and what type of protagonists and antagonists showcase their emotions and connect to the story in the film. This knowledge helped me identify what type of character I wanted for my final project.