Horror films can be defined as a film designed to scare or shock the viewer through use if themes of evil, death or the supernatural. This genre is often linked with other popular genres such as thriller or slasher movies, in order to create an intense or even unsettling atmosphere for the viewer. A popular theme for these films are serial killers, led by insanity or possession by the supernatural, and two famous examples of this genre are the films "Seven (1995)" and "Red Dragon (2002)".
"Seven", occasionally stylized as "Se7en", tells the story of Detective David Mills and Detective Lt. William Somerset, two detectives with very different personalities, who are paired together to hunt down and arrest a serial killer, John Doe, who works with the motif of the seven deadly sins.
"Red Dragon", on the other hand, is a remake of the 1986 film "Manhunter" and the prequel to the popular "Silence of the Lambs". Will Graham, a detective forced into early retirement, must catch a dangerous serial killer referred to as the Tooth Fairy (real name Francis Dolarhyde), with assistance from his old mentor and serial killer Hannibal Lecter.
Both of these films are very popular, and follow traditional horror movie conventions through use of various movie techniques, such as editing and mise-en-scene. Both films are also very similar, sharing similar characters and plot, although these similarities could be attributed to the link to classic horror movie conventions - such as the killers with the theme of evil, or the pattern of the plot.
Plot: The plot of both films follows a very similar, popular pattern - a die-hard, young detective is assisted by an older, more experienced mentor in tracking down and arresting a serial killer who murders people based on the motifs of evil and sins. This is a popular plot used in many horror movies, although there are usually differences. For example, in Red Dragon, Dolarhyde kills entire families to fill his desires, and appears to do so due to years of abuse driving him mad. On the other hand, Doe (the killer of Seven) seems to kill his victims thematically, in a form of what could almost be considered vigilanteism.
Mise-en-Scene:
Popular horror movie conventions are also used through the mise-en-scene. Dark tones are used through the lighting, costumes and settings, and characters wear similar costumes - the mentor character usually takes pride in their appearance, while the detective character puts less care into their clothes, suggesting they are busy and therefore have less time to care for their appearance.
Costumes are also used to represent different personalities at different times. For example, in Red Dragon, Mills is waling around during the scene at his home with Dolarhyde. Here, he is barefoot, providing no protection. This represents how vulnerable he is at this point - unarmed in his home, trying to protect his son.
Characters:
This also shows a similarity in the characters, as both films have similar mentor and detective characters, while the killers appear to be inspired by supernatural occurrences - Dolarhyde is inspired by stories and legends about the red dragon (a colloquialism for the devil), while Doe claims to be punishing sinners based on instructions from God. Similarly, both villains are caught in different ways. Dolarhyde fakes his death and destroys his house in order to throw others off the trail before going after, and being killed by, Will Graham - on the other hand, Doe hands himself in, covered in blood, in order to taunt the detectives by reminding him there is one more victim and delivering them to the victim himself.
More is also known about the character of Dolarhyde, as he is introduced and constantly referred to throughout the film, allowing the viewer to understand Dolarhyde and, in a way, empathize with him after seeing what he was put through before finally being driven to insanity, as well as telling the viewer who the killer is and adding tension when he is seen with another character. However, not much is known about Doe, as he is only finally seen at the end of the film and, while he explains some things, does not show much about him. Both of these are different conventions of horror films - giving the viewer the villain at the beginning so the viewer can connect with the character better, or revealing him at the end in order to make him more mysterious and scary.
Soundtrack/Audio Editing:
The soundtrack used also fits to popular horror movie conventions, using common themes in their non-diegetic music. Orchestral and stringed instruments are used, and violins are used to make eerie, screeching noises. This screeching sound is very unnatural and offputting, reflecting the circumstances in the films and keeping up the tension. Screaming noises and sudden loud sounds are also used to scare or shock the viewer, fitting the conventions of a horror movie.
At the very end of Seven, there is also a voice over from Morgan Freeman under the persona of Detective Lt. William Somerset, where he quotes Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls. "'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.' I agree with the second part." This statement suggests that Somerset doesn't think the world is a nice place, suggesting instead it is too full of evil to be good. This, linked with the theme of the film, suggests evil cannot be ignored, nor can it be justified, which may be the point that the writer of the film was trying to get across to it's audience.
Cameras and Editing:
Camera shots and editing aren't as easily noticeable as other themes, but they are still very similar across both films. Cuts are used more often than in other films, as well as use of jump scares - images occasionally flashing up only for a second before cutting to another scene. This adds mystery, as the viewer does not have enough time to see the image properly, as well as shocking or making the viewer jump due to its sudden appearance and usual partnering sound effect, such as a scream or a loud nose. These techniques are used to raise tension and make the viewer feel nervous, as they are unsure on what is happening or what might happen at any moment. Close ups are also used for characters to show their emotions, although the villains are usually behind a barrier (suggesting they are so dangerous they need to be cut off from the viewer). Wide, far shots are also used to hide the identity of the villain, by making the villain too far away to see. Both techniques make the villain seem more unnerving.
Overall, both films share a number of similar techniques used commonly in horror films, and are therefore good examples of common conventions of horror films. By using these conventions, these films have managed to create an atmosphere of fear and horror, and have become notable films of the genre.
"Seven", occasionally stylized as "Se7en", tells the story of Detective David Mills and Detective Lt. William Somerset, two detectives with very different personalities, who are paired together to hunt down and arrest a serial killer, John Doe, who works with the motif of the seven deadly sins.
"Red Dragon", on the other hand, is a remake of the 1986 film "Manhunter" and the prequel to the popular "Silence of the Lambs". Will Graham, a detective forced into early retirement, must catch a dangerous serial killer referred to as the Tooth Fairy (real name Francis Dolarhyde), with assistance from his old mentor and serial killer Hannibal Lecter.
 |
| Detective Lt. Somerset (right) and Detective Mills (left) from the film Se7en. Both characters are very different in appearance. |
Plot: The plot of both films follows a very similar, popular pattern - a die-hard, young detective is assisted by an older, more experienced mentor in tracking down and arresting a serial killer who murders people based on the motifs of evil and sins. This is a popular plot used in many horror movies, although there are usually differences. For example, in Red Dragon, Dolarhyde kills entire families to fill his desires, and appears to do so due to years of abuse driving him mad. On the other hand, Doe (the killer of Seven) seems to kill his victims thematically, in a form of what could almost be considered vigilanteism.
Mise-en-Scene:
 |
| Hannibal Lecter, who fills the "mentor" role in the film "Red Dragon". Note how organised his clothes are despite being in an insane asylum. |
Costumes are also used to represent different personalities at different times. For example, in Red Dragon, Mills is waling around during the scene at his home with Dolarhyde. Here, he is barefoot, providing no protection. This represents how vulnerable he is at this point - unarmed in his home, trying to protect his son.
Characters:
This also shows a similarity in the characters, as both films have similar mentor and detective characters, while the killers appear to be inspired by supernatural occurrences - Dolarhyde is inspired by stories and legends about the red dragon (a colloquialism for the devil), while Doe claims to be punishing sinners based on instructions from God. Similarly, both villains are caught in different ways. Dolarhyde fakes his death and destroys his house in order to throw others off the trail before going after, and being killed by, Will Graham - on the other hand, Doe hands himself in, covered in blood, in order to taunt the detectives by reminding him there is one more victim and delivering them to the victim himself.
 |
| Francis Dolarhyde, the main villain of Red Dragon. |
Soundtrack/Audio Editing:
The soundtrack used also fits to popular horror movie conventions, using common themes in their non-diegetic music. Orchestral and stringed instruments are used, and violins are used to make eerie, screeching noises. This screeching sound is very unnatural and offputting, reflecting the circumstances in the films and keeping up the tension. Screaming noises and sudden loud sounds are also used to scare or shock the viewer, fitting the conventions of a horror movie.
At the very end of Seven, there is also a voice over from Morgan Freeman under the persona of Detective Lt. William Somerset, where he quotes Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls. "'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.' I agree with the second part." This statement suggests that Somerset doesn't think the world is a nice place, suggesting instead it is too full of evil to be good. This, linked with the theme of the film, suggests evil cannot be ignored, nor can it be justified, which may be the point that the writer of the film was trying to get across to it's audience.
Cameras and Editing:
Camera shots and editing aren't as easily noticeable as other themes, but they are still very similar across both films. Cuts are used more often than in other films, as well as use of jump scares - images occasionally flashing up only for a second before cutting to another scene. This adds mystery, as the viewer does not have enough time to see the image properly, as well as shocking or making the viewer jump due to its sudden appearance and usual partnering sound effect, such as a scream or a loud nose. These techniques are used to raise tension and make the viewer feel nervous, as they are unsure on what is happening or what might happen at any moment. Close ups are also used for characters to show their emotions, although the villains are usually behind a barrier (suggesting they are so dangerous they need to be cut off from the viewer). Wide, far shots are also used to hide the identity of the villain, by making the villain too far away to see. Both techniques make the villain seem more unnerving.
Overall, both films share a number of similar techniques used commonly in horror films, and are therefore good examples of common conventions of horror films. By using these conventions, these films have managed to create an atmosphere of fear and horror, and have become notable films of the genre.
Tobie - your analyses of the films show great understanding of the conventions and codes used within each. There's lots of evidence of precise analysis and consideration of the audience expectations and challenges and uses of the genre. Well done. You might consider completing an analysis of a film (not an essay but summary bullet points) that is in keeping with the plan you have for your film i.e. The Matrix or Hackers.
ReplyDelete