The visual language of female horror characters
Craciun, Daria (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024050910405
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024050910405
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this study was to present multidimensional portrayals of female characters in horror by applying feminist film theories, psychoanalytic theories, and visual analysis. Applying these theories in the context of visual analysis has been necessary to connecting the emotions depicted in the five horror movies analysed. The research was conducted as a means of connecting theories to reach a better understanding of female characters in horror.
The materials for this thesis were collected from books, articles, and papers. The following horror movies, focusing on the female characters were presented: Midsommar (Ari Aster, 2019), Hereditary (Ari Aster, 2018), Suspiria (Luca Guadagnino, 2017), Mother! (Darren Aronofsky, 2017) and The Love Witch (Anna Biller, 2016). Scenes were picked out and presented from each of the five horror movies to be analysed, applying the theoretical frameworks and tools introduced.
A connection between feminist film theories, psychoanalytic theories, and the visual language of rebirth and fire as an element has been established as a foundation for the artwork part of the thesis created. The purpose of combining theories and visual analysis has been conducted to present the complex emotions constructed through visual elements in horror.
Through visual language, it was found that female characters in horror are given freedom for complex and interesting character development. There is a hopeful approach for more intricate depictions of women on screen, as the horror genre has gained popularity in recent years and will continue to do so in the upcoming years. Further open discussions about these topics could encourage more filmmakers to give their female characters more contrasting personalities and traits that contain material to be analysed from multiple perspectives.
The materials for this thesis were collected from books, articles, and papers. The following horror movies, focusing on the female characters were presented: Midsommar (Ari Aster, 2019), Hereditary (Ari Aster, 2018), Suspiria (Luca Guadagnino, 2017), Mother! (Darren Aronofsky, 2017) and The Love Witch (Anna Biller, 2016). Scenes were picked out and presented from each of the five horror movies to be analysed, applying the theoretical frameworks and tools introduced.
A connection between feminist film theories, psychoanalytic theories, and the visual language of rebirth and fire as an element has been established as a foundation for the artwork part of the thesis created. The purpose of combining theories and visual analysis has been conducted to present the complex emotions constructed through visual elements in horror.
Through visual language, it was found that female characters in horror are given freedom for complex and interesting character development. There is a hopeful approach for more intricate depictions of women on screen, as the horror genre has gained popularity in recent years and will continue to do so in the upcoming years. Further open discussions about these topics could encourage more filmmakers to give their female characters more contrasting personalities and traits that contain material to be analysed from multiple perspectives.