Psychological Horror: Madness and Paranoia

By Abdullah Khan and Zak Morgan

Shutter Island

• The film’s story is based in the 1950s and begins with a US marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) arriving at ashecliffe hospital on Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of one of their patients. Yet there is more than meets the eye.

Jacob’s Ladder

• After returning home from Vietnam War, veteran (Tim Robbins) struggles to maintain his sanity. Plagued by hallucinations and flashbacks. He rapidly falls apart as he sees disturbing images. Yet he soon realises he isn’t dreaming.

American Psycho

In New York City in 1987, a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is presented as a well educated business man who lives a second life as a gruesome serial killer by night victimizing men and women in Manhattan.

1. There is usually less physical violence than typical horror movies as the focus is to expose the evil behind the normality of the character.

Conventions Of The Subgenre

2. There are usually many flashbacks shown to the audience, giving an insight in to why the character is disturbed and what happened to him/her during their life that lead them to become mentally ill.

3. The Protagonists/antagonists are usually disturbed or mentally tormented.

5. The initial stereotypical normality of the protagonist presented at the beginning of the film which creates a sense of familiarity for the audience with the character.

4. There is quite often a scene In which there Is the shocking realisation for the audience as well as the character of the mental reality of the protagonist himself.

The End

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