Paul Wells Horror Genre Theories

Paul Wells' book, "The Horror Genre", is based on an in depth research in which some of the main conventions and theories of horror film studies are comprehensively analysed and explained.

The contents of the book cover the studies of audience and physiological interpretations, deconstructions of horror films, the history of horror films and a filmography of over 300 titles.

One of the subjects Wells talks about within the theory of genre is that the feelings evoked through the films contents including sound, mise en scene, camera angles and editing, are what really brings the presence of a genre. He acknowledges the the idea of culture, modern society and developing interests shifting and manipulating the entities called "genres" and goes through a history of films in the 18th-century, derived from gothic novels, and how the genre "horror" has changed since then.

Analysing the historical aspects of early horror films, Wells explores social "revolution" in which genres evolve and transgress to become manipulated forms of their original forms. Drawing on theorists and their views, Wells looks into Marx and his theories based on materialism. This is centered around the idea that forms of society rise and fall as they progress and then interfere with the development of human productive power. Also referring to Darwins' theories on the "survival of the fittest"struggle and German Philosopher Nietzschean Nihilisms' concepts, he explains the monstrous and dramatic creatures and apocalyptic appearances found within horror films. The theories that Wells examines are political, and cultural but also related to horror within their concepts.

Using various films to explain his ideas, Wells explores the transformation of social communication though Frankenstein (1932) and Nosferatu (1922), naturalism through films such as King Kong (1933) and Mr Hyde (1931) and the collapse values leaving people devoid of order and morality through Dracula (1931) and Rosemary's Baby (1968). These examples explored give a good basis into the conventions of the genre and sub-genres of these different types of films.

Sigmund Freud

Wells goes on to look into Freud's work and theories who looks at the psychology of how an audience watches a film and how the repression of the unconscious mind is a way to break the barrier between reality and fiction within the film because of the senses it takes over. The theories discussed within the book so far are referenced from the different theorists mentioned, but are also referenced and analysed, presenting Wells' own personal insights into the conventions and theories of the horror genre.

One thing that Wells does not explore or explain, is the effectiveness of modern horror films in their capacity of drawing an emotional response, linking to the matter of aesthetics, the study of "sensory-emotional" values- the act of judgment of sentiment and taste for the conventions of a genre type. Modern horror places the audience as victims within the films and makes them face their inner demons and drives a response. This was touched, with the reference at Freud's work, however not looked at in depth, even though it is an important point to investigate.

Humour within a horror film is represented to be ill-suited to the genre and used only to "attract a younger audience and enhance marketing efforts" within Wells' summery of classical conventions and theories regarding the horror genre, with little reference to any horror films with humour.

Overall, Paul Wells' book on Horror Genre Theory, with reference to theorists and his own theories, provides a good base of conventions and theories for conventional horror films. Theses conventions and theories, however can be developed further and subverted in a few areas, specifically humour within horrors and the idea of aesthetics and how the horror genre can effect an audience. This insight into, specifically, the horror genre theories, together with my research into genre theories in general, will allow me to take into account general conventions and theories and have a more in-depth understanding into genres and how they are depicted within film.