Character Stereotypes

The Hero

More than often a masculine character with a heavy build, very very rare to find a female as the main hero. Although they are the hero, there are not many horror films where the hero wins, but he is however brave, and the person who goes after the murdered after a killing, and often never returning.

The Victim

There is almost no horror film without a female victim, as they are often portrayed as being vulnerable and in need of protection. They are usually young, blonde and attractive helping to appeal to a wider male audience. She is often portrayed to be stupid and annoying, one of the characters the audience actually want to be killed. This character helps to build up suspense, as her behaviour often puts them on edge, when she jumps they jump, even if it unnecessary.

Non-believer

This character can be of either sex, but is more often shown as male. They are represented as cocky and relaxed, which leads the other characters to think they are over-reacting and nothing is happening, which more than often makes them the first to be killed. Once this person is killed, the audience will panic, as the voice of reason and disbelief has now gone, leaving both the remaining characters and the audience in a frantic state.


Hysterical Character

Usually female. This is the character that more than often wants to play it safe, and stay as a group and in a building that they are probably already in. Other characters will attempt to move her but more than often fail. This will result in her being killed, or all the characters being killed one by one, but either way she dies. The effect this character has on the audience is a suspense being created as her hysterics reflect on to the audience.






The 'Monster' antagonist

Can take many forms of antagonist such as Serial Killer, Zombie, Ghost, Monster or have Demonic Possession. If they are human they will often have a mask on or some kind of deformity, making it close to impossible to identify them. Wearing a mask also plays on the fear of the unknown. No matter what injuries they seem to receive, they can always seemingly recover from it and get back up, even if its something as serious as stabbing, giving it an idea of inhuman. Any other type of killer plays on the fear of the unknown, and as there isn't any solid proof they do not exist it scares the audience about what they do not know.




Loved Up couple

Male and female couples, never any same sex couples. They are usually away from the group, together.  Don't notice the killer as they seemingly are oblivious, and are so wrapped up with each other they don't see the killer coming at them. They frustrate the audience putting them on the edge of there seat.