Research Technical Elements Psychological Horror Part 2

           In this blog I will continue talking about the technical elements of psychological horror.

                           Narrative and Plot Structure

The narrator is something that makes the psychological horror what they are. The narrator in psychological horror is unreliable and the narrators perception of reality is very distorted. Narrators in psychological horror films are distorted by mental illness, trauma, drugs or stuff like manipulation in these films the audience is in confusion and unable to trust any information seen or presented. They focus on the fear of the unknown in psychological horror films. They suggest stuff slightly they make the horror be more discreet and unknown. The plots focus mainly on that characters are doubting their own sanity and suspecting everyone around them. That creates a common narrative of mistrust and confusion because u can know what reliable and what is not. They show a loss of control most commonly the character loses control of everything around him and the fate seems inescapable. One more aspect is the uncanniness in psychological horror films they focus on making regular things twisted, disturbing and surreal

                                  Cinematography

The cinematography focuses on a variety of shots and angles all used to show details and emotion better. They use tight close ups to show anxiety, paranoia, or mental breakdown. Also off center framing to create uneasiness. They use empty spaces to show the isolation of the character and to give fear of some of the unknown in all that open empty space. "The Babadook" is a very good example of that camera work it worked the shadows and isolation amazingly. One of the most commonly used camera techniques of psychological horror is to use a handheld camera to create instability and realism which heavily adds to the horror of the film. They use slow tracking shots to bring fear of the unknown and while the character slowly approaches where he is going the viewer is in fear and discomfort of the unknown to come next. The last aspect of cinematography I will be talking about in this blog is the long takes they use the long takes to keep uncomfortably with no breaks of relief.