I'm sure this question has been asked many times, but I would really appreciate a refresher course!
Like is Jaws a thriller, horror or suspense? Because honestly I can see elements of each in the movie.
Same with Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Same with Carrie
Same with Halloween
Same with The Innocents
I think the best way to determine the difference is if the film has killing or mutilation in it then it's horror, if the film has a great story line with lots of surprising reveals throughout the film then it's thriller and if the whole film is based around 1 moment and it reveals it's self at the end then it's suspense.
That's my interpretation anyway, cause a horror film would have all 3 of the categories but with added horror, where as a thriller wouldn't have the same scenes that a horror would feature.
Does that help?
Jaws is a thriller.
Halloween is suspense.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is horror.
In my own words. A thriller is different than suspense because it shows the protagonist pursuing an extraordinary obstacle. Jaws might have elements of suspense but in the end the men face off with the shark. They're on a boat with guns. They have the advantage. The shark is known.
Halloween is suspense. The protagonist is oblivious to the antagonist. It mainly has to do with the director. And how they choose to bring out the emotions of their actors.
Horror deals with nightmarish scenarios. Blood and gore isn't necessary. Horror is most effective when the nightmare is in the mind of the audience. The mysterious atmosphere keeps the audience attentive. The filmmaker's ability to play that hand for as long as necessary will determine how effective it is.
http://blog.dubspot.com/files/2013/04/Dramatic-Arc.jpg
Blood and gore should be a last resort.
We have what we seek, it is there all the time, and if we give it time, it will make itself known.
Jaws is a thriller.
Halloween is suspense.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is horror.
----------------------------------------
I agree with you on all three.
How would you classify "Carrie", "The Exorcist", "Rosemary's Baby" and "Psycho"?
I would call "Carrie" a suspenseful melodrama (if I were feeling ambitious, I might want to call it a fairy tale), I would call "The Exorcist" a horror melodrama, "The Omen" straight horror, "Rosemary's Baby" a horror/black comedy and "Psycho" - horror/black comedy
I thought I was gonna die! - Roseanne Roseannadanna
I would consider the exorcist a dark drama. Similar to the sixth sense. It has its moments of terror but the heart of both should be understood. And to me both films resolve the termoil presented at the start of both films.
Never saw Rosemary's baby. ?
Psycho is tough. Had I seen it when it was initially released I don't think I would find it funny. It broke the barrier. Audiences seeing a man dressed as a woman was unthinkable. I would have to go with suspense being that's Hitchcock's trademark.
I don't know why I typed a ? After Rosemary's baby. Wasn't it remade on NBC a few years back? Come to think of it. The Omen and The Exorcist are both shows now too.
shareCarrie is definitely horror. She's a teenaged girl with psychic powers and an overly-religious / abusive mother. She's tormented at school. The film builds up until Carrie reaches her breaking point. I would classify it as horror because there's not many if any like-able characters. Part of you wants to see her classmates getting what they deserve.
The Omen is suspense. I say that because of the pacing. And it's surrounded with a mysterious and ominous atmosphere. The suspense is killing me as opposed to thrilling me. ☺
We have what we seek, it is there all the time, and if we give it time, it will make itself known.