- The narrative of a supernatural horror usually contains an equilibrium at the beginning and then a disruption which generally lasts until the end of the film.
- Conventionally, supernatural horrors don't conclude with happy endings as it doesn't leave the audience feeling scared after the film has finished.
- Often and more recently, supernatural horrors have been filmed in a 'found footage' format which are filmed in the perspective of the antagonists on camcorders. An example of this is The Blair Witch Project (1999).
Examples of supernatural horrors which end with no equilibrium
Conventional characters
- In a supernatural horror, there are usually clear antagonists and protagonists and the film's narrative usually focuses around the antagonists behaviour towards the protagonists.
- Theses protagonists are usually families, a mother, father and typically a son, who are generally moving into a new home which has the antagonist, normally a ghost or other supernatural being, already residing in it. Other conventional antagonists include a group of friends who are purposely going into a known haunted area for fun. These characters are usually teenagers.
- Throughout the film, we usually see a battle between the antagonist and protagonist and in a typical supernatural horror, the antagonist usually wins.
Examples of supernatural horrors which have ghosts as their main antagonists
Conventional settings
- In conventional supernatural horrors, the location of the films are usually mainly based in large family homes which are old and decrepit as these are stereotypically associated with the locations of mysterious ghostly beings.
- Additionally, other supernatural horror films can often be set in other locations. For example, The Blair Witch Project (1999) was set in the woods whilst Grave Encounters (2011) was set in a derelict mental hospital.
- Overall, they are usually set in dark, old and secluded areas where the characters would not be able to get help very easily. They are also set in places which everyday people can relate to like family homes. This is effective as it makes the audience feel like what happens in the film can happen to anybody.
Examples of supernatural horrors which have large family houses as their location
Conventional mise en scene
- The weather in supernatural horrors is usually dull and dark, which gives the film an ominous atmosphere and reflects the general mood of the film.
- Costume for the stock characters in supernatural horrors are conventionally normal, everyday clothing for the protagonists who are usually just average, normal people. For the antagonists, this can vary as in many horror films, the antagonist is never actually seen. If the antagonist is shown, they usually wear dark, old, dirty and ripped clothing.
- Some props which are often shown in supernatural horrors are ouija boards, knives and blood (although more present in slasher horrors). Ouija boards relate to the genre as they are used to communicate with supernatural beings and knives and blood are icons of horror and so fans will expect to see these when they go and watch the film.
Conventional editing, shots and camera
- Establishing shots are conventionally shown in not just supernatural horrors but all genres to show the audience where the film is going to be set at the beginning of the movie/trailer.
- Close up shots of the characters faces are often used to intensify what the characters are feeling throughout the film. Specifically the fear in their faces during an intense scary moment in the films narrative.
- Shot reverse shots are conventional of all films/trailers as it shows two characters having a conversation with each other.
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