Audience + Representation theories

Firstly horror has a different effect on the audience compared to other genres as it creates fear and shock compared to a comedy of happiness and laughter. From the horror genre the audience take a sense of adrenalin and excitement from the intrigue of fright and fear.

Two step flow is also important to the horror genre and its audience as it is the sharing of opinions , it is when someone watches a film creating an opinion on it then they will tell someone else about it who will then watch it and grasp an opinion on it, which may be different or similar. Linking to horror this is important as the genre is created to create intrigue and fear for the audience.

Also the genre is a test of character as people may watch something of the horror genre that is a rating over their age so it can ‘seem big’ as they can say they have done this.

Representation theory

The final girl- In a basic way she is the 'last girl standing' for example scream , women are usually represented as the weak and vulnerable ones of a film so the final girl is congratulated. She is often presented as a virgin and a sense of innocence to her along with her having behaviour that confronts with social expectations , 'the good girl' of the film. these aspects suggest that she deserves to survive and has more intelligence to know how to survive. In addition the apprearance of this final girl is a normal girl who where normal clothing and is not necessarily attractive , she will often have a masculine personality which connotes she has the power of a man mentally so is able to survive till the end.
Feminism - The female in horror films is always represented to be struggling and the female is signified as the victim. The feminist theory looks at the role of women in contrast to the role of men and how they differ due to inequality. Linking to a different genre of Action as it is a clear example in action there is a hero role which is a ma this suggests that men have more power over women , furthermore this links to the male gaze theory which was written by Laura Mulvey in 1975 and this is the visual pleasure of men. Women connote 'to - be looked - at - ness' however women look at women as well not just men so they may argue there should be  women gaze theory.


Masculinity and femininity are social construction , the ideas about gender are produced and reflected in language O'Sullivan et al (1998).

Uses and Gratifications

Personal relationship - Television and cinema are seen as a social activity, meaning this enables the audience to interact with the content. This interactive may lead the viewer to believing they have been through this experience with the character. Or people that have watched the content together feel like they have bonded going through the experience together.

Personal identity - this is the need for the viewer to develop within themselves though the character they are seeing in the media. This would help them to become a better person as they may adopt specific characteristics.



 Escapism - This is very common and involves the viewer so what 'escaping' from reality and putting themselves into the characters position. This helps to forget about what is going on in the viewers life to be forgot about for the period of the film.