Horror Cliches

“A cliché or cliche (/ˈkliːʃeɪ/ or /klɪˈʃeɪ/) is an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, even to the point of being irritating, especially when at some earlier time it was considered meaningful or novel”

Common Clichés:

1.

Often in horror films. People make awful and stupid decisions that ultimately lead to either their own or someone else's death. Commonly groups will split up when faced with a serial killer even through the killer can only kill on at a time. For example inexplicably holding back valuable information when talking to people who might help you (as Ethan Hawke does with his box of stuff films in 'Sinister') offers another example of horror film idiocy

2.Another common cliché is the sudden failure of weapons or machinery in an important situation,this is most often cars and guns, for example in Friday the 13th Part 2 , during an escape scene a car which was previously working fine, has suddenly decided not to work, therefore leading to the killer catching up to her. This typical cliché has lost its uses as of late and has not been as overused as it was before, instead it has been rarely scene in the past five years.

3.

Another cliché, and arguably the most overused of them all is the blonde female character, this always involves a combination of many stereotypes mostly consisting of, running towards danger, acting clueless even when the answer is obvious, and pretending that they have no idea of what to do, during which they portray themselves as vulnerable and helpless. As expected there are countless examples but some stand out more than others, like Scream for example.