kauhuelokuva

Kauhuelokuva, or horror film, is a genre of cinema aimed at provoking fear, dread, or discomfort in the audience through atmosphere, threat, or the supernatural. Works typically explore mortality, the unknown, or psychological tension, and often place ordinary life under extraordinary stress. The tone ranges from suspenseful and suggestive to explicit and grotesque, but a central aim remains eliciting a visceral emotional response.

Origins lie in early cinema with German Expressionism and silent-era fear imagery; Nosferatu (1922) and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) influenced form and visual style. The 1930s saw the rise of studio horror with iconic monsters. Subsequent decades diversified into science-fiction-inflected horror, psychological horror, and the rise of slasher narratives in the 1980s. The 1990s brought self-aware psychological thrillers, while the 2000s popularized found-footage and international horror. In recent years streaming platforms have expanded access to both mainstream and indie horror, accelerating global exchange.

Subgenres include supernatural horror (ghosts, demons), psychological horror (focus on mental states), slasher (serial killers and survivals), creature features (monsters), body horror (transformation and anatomy), and folk horror (rituals and rural fear). Common conventions feature a vulnerable protagonist, escalating threats, atmospheric tension, and often a dramatic or ambiguous ending. Techniques such as suspenseful editing, sound design, and lighting, along with practical effects and makeup, play key roles.

Global horror traditions reflect local folklore and cultural anxieties. Examples range from classic American and British works to Japanese, Korean, and European films. Notable titles include Psycho (1960), The Exorcist (1973), The Ring (2002), Ju-on/The Grudge (2002/2004), Get Out (2017), Hereditary (2018), and The Witch (2015).