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6 Classic Horror Movie Motifs

"While plots, characters, and spooky entities differ, there are a lot of similarities between today's horror movies."

Hannah K Whitney

Nov 08, 2016

The Ohio State University

811

npr.org

Having just passed Halloween, I thought we'd get a little spooky for this weeks article! As an avid watcher of horror movies, I've noticed a lot of common motifs. Last night while watching "Dark Skies" I noticed that while plots, characters, and spooky entities differ, there are a lot of similarities between today's horror movies. So here are 6 classic horror movie motifs that i've noticed throughout the years. Let me know if you've seen more!

1. The happy family shot

It seems to me that every horror movie starts with a shot of the happy family. I always snooze through the first few scenes, in which the director desperately tries to establish the idea of a "perfectly normal" happy family. I get that this is supposed to make you relate to them, so you feel like their circumstances could happen to anyone, but come on. Do we really need to sit through 30 minutes of dinner table conversations and rides to school in the minivan?

2. The kids are always cute as anything, and they're always the first to get spooked

Somehow, horror movie casting directors always manage to find the cutest kids. Maybe they think this will pull at your heartstrings (it does). Whether they're seeing dead people, having nightmares, or receiving late night visits from the boogeyman, they're always the first to notice whats going on.

3. Financial troubles

In a lot of the horror movies I've watched recently, the families have been in some sort of financially straining situation. As if having a haunted house isn't hard enough, try not being able to pay the mortgage!

4. Fighting parents

In horror movies, the parents are always arguing. Whether it be about the aforementioned financial troubles, or whether or not their house is haunted, they find something to yell about.

5. Nobody believes the mom

The mom is always the first one in the family to suggest that something spooky is going on, and nobody ever believes her. I don't understand why not, I mean everyone sees what's going on in the house.

6. The return of the happy family shot

In the end, the shot always returns to the happy family, having conquered the antagonist, just showing that even in horror movies, families stick together.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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6 Classic Horror Movie Motifs

"While plots, characters, and spooky entities differ, there are a lot of similarities between today's horror movies."

1. The happy family shot

2. The kids are always cute as anything, and they're always the first to get spooked

3. Financial troubles

4. Fighting parents

5. Nobody believes the mom

6. The return of the happy family shot

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We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.

8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"

7. "I don't need to buy my friends."

6. "Oh, so I'll bet you love to drink."

5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"

4. "What do you do at your meetings?"

3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"

2. "Is it just like in the movies?"

1. "Sororities are so basic."

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy

8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

10. When you find another person with an “ethnic” sounding name, you both get excited

11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you

Can I be excused for the rest of my life?

Don't Be That Person

1. “Oh, so you/your family are immigrants!”

2. “Is Puerto Rico near Mexico?”

3. “Do you speak Puerto Rican?”

4. “You look too light/dark to be Puerto Rican.”

5. “Do I need my passport to go to Puerto Rico?”

6. “Geez, you are obsessed with your flag. We get it, you’re Puerto Rican.”

7. “Why are you so loud?”

8. “So does your family know English?”

9. “Oh my god, Puerto Ricans are so spicy.”

10. “So did you eat a lot of tacos?”

11. “Are you Mexican?”

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