*Typical Horror Characters# (1)

The Hero – More than often a masculine character with a heavy build, very rare to find a female as the main hero. Although they are the hero, there are not many horror films where the hero wins, but he is however brave, and the person who goes after the murdered after a killing, and often never returning.

The Victim - There is almost no horror film without a female victim, as they are often portrayed as being vulnerable and in need of protection. They are usually young, blonde and attractive helping to appeal to a wider male audience. She is often portrayed to be stupid and annoying, one of the characters the audience actually want to be killed. This character helps to build up suspense, as her behaviour often puts them on edge, when she jumps they jump, even if it unnecessary.

The Non-Believer - This character can be of either sex, but is more often shown as male. They are represented as cocky and relaxed, which leads the other characters to think they are over-reacting and nothing is happening, which more than often makes them the first to be killed. Once this person is killed, the audience will panic, as the voice of reason and disbelief has now gone, leaving both the remaining characters and the audience in a frantic state.

The Hysterical Character – Usually female. This is the character that more than often wants to play it safe, and stay as a group and in a building that they are probably already in. Other characters will attempt to move her but more than often fail. This will result in her being killed, or all the characters being killed one by one, but either way she dies. The effect this character has on the audience is a suspense being created as her hysterics reflect on to the audience.