Theoretical Issues in the Horror Film Halloween essays

Theoretical Issues in the Horror Film Halloween essays In this essay, you are required to discuss any (one) of the topics covered in the module, and demonstrate how such a theoretical paradigm informs an understanding of a particular horror film of your choice, but not one already on the module or that you chose for your first essay. Obviously, this essay requires greater evidence of secondary reading, but it should not ignore some textual analysis in order to demonstrate the theoretical principles you are highlighting. There are many different issues and theories surrounding the study of the horror genre, and in order to gain a greater level of understanding of the genre one must analyse all of these different elements thoroughly. Such topics which warrant discussion are genre, and the sub-genres associated with it, its audience, issues of gender, sexuality and representation, structural and narrative approach, aesthetic values, etc. Obviously an essay discussing all of these elements in depth would be huge, so in the following essay I aim to look mainly at gender, sexuality and sexual representation in John Carpenters Halloween (1978). I will also outline briefly some of the other issues which warrant discussion, and relate them to my chosen film, looking in slightly more detail at the different sub-genres present in horror, with an aim to highlight their conventions and place 'Halloween' into one of those sub-genres. The reason that I chose 'Halloween' for analysis, quite apart from the fact that it is one of my favourite horror films, is that it is an effective choice as an example of how (especially 80's) horror films represent women. The film is also a favourite among theorists in both categorisation and conventions of the horror genre, and gender issues in film. So there is plenty of available reading and research available to me, making it an ideal choice for analysis. 'Halloween' was shot in 1978 by John Carpenter, on a relatively small budget of $130,000. It is seen by m...