Definition of Horror Genre in Relation to the Film “Dracula”

How do you define horror? Dictionary.com identified it as an overwhelming and painful feeling caused by something frightfully shocking, terrifying or revolting or a shuddering fear. But then, how do you recognizes the genre of horror in a film? Like science fiction, romance and comedy genre, you know what to expect when you decide to see one. But they have numerous differences; from the story’s theme to what you have felt after watching it. The horror film supposed to create an atmosphere of fear and dread; had you screaming for terror and surprise; instill a frightening image in your brain about demonic supernatural and unknown things that lie beneath the surface beyond the face of reality and normality, far from what is being considered as the natural law. Watching a horror film gives an opening into that scary world, into an outlet for the essence of fear itself, without actually being in danger.¹ They focus on the dark side of life and feed upon our nightmares. The element of antagonism, performed by a monstrous kind of being that kills, hurts or frightens human beings is always present in every horror film. Werewolves, serial killers, vampires, angry ghosts, zombies, demons, and satanic villains are popular kinds that represent the presence of evil. They possess anger, cruelty and desire to create mayhem. The gloomy and mysterious environment must be included too, such as haunted mansions, old, spooky castles as well as murky forests. Horror genre also shows the constant battle between good and evil, where evil is described at its best, or worse. From monsters under our beds to refusal of death, the horror genre speaks of the human condition and forcibly reminds us of how little we actually know and understand.²

Horror films started almost the same time the concept of film was created. It dated back over 100 years ago. And like all things, it faces change from time to time, just like our perception or the way we see fear alters as we age. The tone of horror films shifted, moving from German-influenced gothic style of filmmaking towards modern, from remakes of classical horror stories to all-human thrillers, from gory themes to disasters. They were constantly evolving and affected by man’s curiosity after something new and fresh and what is trendy. Filmmakers are beginning to look for the things that interest the viewers and the things that are not, redefining the description of horror genre.

The most profitable and most frequently portrayed character in horror films is Dracula. He is a good definition of what really is a horror genre. The film, which was derived from Bram Stoker’s novel of the same title, is about a demonic, blood-sucking vampire who hypnotically captivated his prey just by looking to them. It concerns life, death and immortality, as Dracula being an undead villain. The most prominent film about Dracula was directed by Tod Browning back in 1931 and also the first vampire film that had used sound effects. This film filled the illusions of the moviegoers, from that time until now, about what Dracula looks like. Although this movie gained enormous popularity, it is certainly not the greatest Dracula film ever. Another Dracula film close enough to compare in the 1931 version is the 1992 film Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Both films were based on the novel, but their differences were very evident, like the films’ plot and Dracula’s personality. But the two films shared the true essence of the story, almost identical. Both of them have darkness as their tone, choosing the night as the perfect time to describe Dracula’s horrifying character.

The element of antagonism is very clear in the films, with Dracula doing his ghastly acts by charming his prey and eventually taking its life by sucking blood. It is also mixed with other beings that represented evil, as the Count has the ability to transform into a wolf with terrifying red eyes, or a bat, or anything that pleases him. As for the gloomy, murky setting, the scenes were filmed in a kind of environment revealing nothing but darkness, the kind of place you would never dream of going to. Probably with some connection to the German-influenced art of expressionism, the foreboding Transylvanian castle where Dracula lives was introduced as a worn down, abandoned piece of relic located in the mountainous region.

One of the things that best described the horror genre out of this film is Dracula’s abnormal abilities, like his speaking skills using his mind and his impossible strength. These extraordinary things are beyond what we call the natural law. Meanwhile, things that are unholy or bad are always doomed to failure. This fact is a part of our beliefs. Therefore, Dracula is not as invincible as he may seem to be. Besides daylight, because of the fact that even the tiniest ray would turn him into dust, religious Christian symbols such as cross, even crossed fingers, can harm him too. They go hand in hand with the Count’s hatred towards garlic and mirrors. In conclusion about the films’ similarities and differences, Daniel M. noted that:

The films share many of the same themes, but are able to show them in such a different manner that the stories become different and original. This may have something to do with the different time periods in which the films were made.³

Horror, granted that it was an ever-changing kind of genre, has suffered identity loss sometimes, primarily because filmmakers nowadays were much concerned about their profits, thus disengaging the essence of art and its ability to play with our emotions. It is a good thing that the “real” horror makers are still there, fighting for what is still left and what is disregarded in this kind of art. I think the definition of the horror genre into a film is the way the person watching it thinks, the way he responds, the way it affected him. The definition might consider that person’s age, that person’s life and whole being, because just like us, just like everything, our fears and our perception of what is scary, change together with time.

Bibliography
“Critical Essays: The American Horror Film and the Influence of German Expressionism”, Cliffnotes.com, 2008, retrieved 7 November 2008, .
Daniel M., “’Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ Re-imagines a Classic”, [the]ENGLISH-BLOG[.com], 2005, retrieved 7 November 2008, .
“Horror Film”, Knowledgerush.com, 2003, retrieved 7 November 2008, .
Tim Dirks, “Horror Films”, Filmsite.org, 2008, retrieved 7 November 2008, .
“What is Horror Fiction?”, Horror Writers Association, 2007, retrieved 7 November 2008, .