If it creeps you.

It's me again :)


Today i want to analyse the conventions of the genre Horror. Therefore i'll use The Strangers as an example of a Horror/Thriller Movie written and directed by Bryan Bertino.
The plot:
After returning from a wedding reception, a couple staying in an isolated vacation house receive a knock on the door in the mid-hours of the night. What ensues is a violent invasion by three strangers, their faces hidden behind masks. The couple find themselves in a violent struggle, in which they go beyond what either of them thought capable in order to survive.
The whole movie is inspired by true events. According to the FBI, there are an estimated 1.4 million violent crimes in America each year.
The fact that the movie is based on a true story makes it unbelievable realistic and it becomes more seriously as if you know its absolutely invented. This is one point why the movie is so good as it is.
Furthermore the characters making always the right decision they don't do anything stupid. For example the woman becomes scared and calls immediantely her husband. So the audience thinks the whole time they would do the same. That mediated a viewless situation.
Also the three strangers are wearing the whole time masks. You don't know who they am and you wanted to know the background of them and why they are playing this horrible game with them.
In the end it would be clear they only do this to them, because they were on the wrong place at the wrong time:
Victim: Why are you doing this to us? Stranger: Because you were home.
You automatically think it can hit everybody.