Genre conventions of horror movies

 Secluded locations

A sub-genre is common in horror films. They are strongly mentioned in the story line. These include: Religion, Sci-fi, teen slashers, monsters or vampires. The film "Carrie" has a strong link to the religion Christianity.

Deaths

Deaths are extremely common in horror films. There will of course be a killer. The killer can be both alive or dead. For example, the film "Evil Dead" a demond, a dead person, kills many of the other characters. 

Camera angles

A horror film is often set in a area with little people in a dark area. This is to give the main character the chance to be scared and hurt without any barriers. They are shot often at woods or abandoned houses. An example of this would be the film "Cabin in the woods", which was shot in the woods. However, if the location is somewhere with a bunch of people, the movie will have to isolate specific people. The Purge 2 is set on the street because in the event of people locking their doors.

Someone investigates something further

Often children, a teenage girl or a general character which the audience can relate to. These victims will go through a traumatizing experience such as death. The main character does not die, but of all those close to him or her. The film "Saw", the main character does not die, but instead becomes the killer.

Sounds/Music

Extreme close ups in order to empathize the facial expression of the victim.

Tilt in order to create disorientation.

Establishing shot in order to show where the film was set.

Handheld in order to look realistic.

Tracking to follow the main character's steps.

POV so the audience feels as if the character is getting scared and can easily relate to that.

Dolling so the audience gets an idea that a character is being followed.\

Specific common fears

Nightmares, alienation, vulnerability, death, fear of the unknown, and loss of identity

In the film, Ouija, the main character just lost her best friend as she died, and wanted to discover more. The 2 fears are death and fear of the unknown.

Weapons

In a horror film, death is often associated with death. These include: Knives, chainsaws, and axes. All of these weapons have a slow, painful, and torturous death. All of these weapons also associate with blood. The film The Texas Chainsaw, the killer uses a chainsaw with a slow and painful death.