12 Most Over-Used Horror Clichés
As the first article of WhatCulture!'s 31 Days of Horror 2, I take a look at 12 of the most over-used clichés in Horror you will have seen time and time again;
The horror genre is one that strikes me as a particularly unimaginative genre, littered with cheap tricks and techniques; many of which we movie-goers have witnessed countless times. But I have to wonder; without these devices, would the genre lose part of its charm? Certainly we couldn't have a movie as cool as Scream without the charm that comes from knowing what to expect from horror movies. As the first article of WhatCulture!'s 31 Days of Horror 2, I take a look at 12 of the most over-used clichés in Horror you will have seen time and time again; 12: Its Just The Wind
I am absolutely convinced that just by reading that, you know what will follow. Two strangers alone in an unnerving place hear something in the distance. Our protagonist will ask What was that, whilst the friend will almost always reply Its just the wind. Seriously, "the wind?". Sorry, I have to ask but since when did the wind ever sound like a breaking branch or a growl? No, it's never just the wind. Unless of course you are watching The Happening, then actually it really is the wind. Good lord. http://youtu.be/Nfln9tRsQb411: The Weird Local
http://youtu.be/k3CaYYEkGXI When our protagonist and friends arrive in the unfamiliar settings of a new town or village, it is usually completely devoid of anyone. Except for one, of course, who comes fully equipped with a serious case of "the crazies". This mentally-unhinged local will normally give his/her advice and to leave the new setting immediately, which goes unheeded.10: No One Believes (until its too late)
9: "Let's Split Up"
At some point our protagonist and co will express a sudden desire to become their very own version of the "Scooby-gang" and split up in an attempt to cover more ground. I will never understand how this is ever a good idea; clearly our heroes have never heard of the term "strength in numbers". 8: The Car Won't Start.
http://youtu.be/h-7gb0jU0WU There has to be a direct correlation between the type of person who finds his/herself in a grave situation and poor upkeep of ones automobile, because I can often call this cliché happening before the film has even started. Never fear, however, as the car will start just in the nick of time. Pesky car, you...7: Boo!
Imagine the scene. Our protagonist is alone, helpless. It's dark and the non-diegetic music that accompanies the scene gives an impending sense of doom. As the pitches become higher and louder, the more we expect something terrible to happen. The killer is close and our protagonist is in grave danger. Something terrible is about to happen...Oh, wait, it's just a cat/rat/dog/cow/gopher/ fish/friend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0HazBZIr10 What's even more bizarre is that if is it indeed a friend that has startled our hero, then it's normally followed-up with 'why are you so scared', as if to say they can't understand the reasons our protagonist is terrified. What kind of person would do that to try to get someones attention?6: The Killer Won't Know When He Is Beaten?
Has anyone else noticed that the villain is almost always super-human? Take H20 for example - Michael Myers is stabbed literally around 12 times, survives a blaze, and is pinned against a car that was rolling violently down a hill, before his sister decapitates him. Yes, I am aware that in the follow-up ("Big Brother: Halloween" was it called?) that a policeman was miraculously replaced with Myers just before his death and we've seen three more Michael Myers since then, but still... these villains never know when they are beaten. Take note, Captain Planet; earth, fire, wind, water and heart (I guess) alone will never defeat our mass murderer, and I suggest adding 'axe' to that list.