Let me rephrase.......what is the diff. between a horror movie and, say, a thriller? Or action? Like Gothika, It confuses me as far as horror/thriller/phyco-drama goes...

psst thats me and LBM and wicked lady and demon seed

A Horror movie can be a combination between a Thriller and Suspence and is normaly the best when it is. There must be gore and some good killing scenes. There's always one main character who lives through the movie. A Horror movie has this character, and it isn't about to let him/her live through it without putting up on hell of a fight. The character shouldget hurt badly, but still live. A Horror movie should keep up at the edge of your seat, and then something pop's up that will send you flying back deep into your seat. For example: a girl is running from someone (say Freddy) and then she looks back to see if he's still behind her and when she look back to the dirrection that she is runing and then Freddy would appear infront of her. This sudden shock should be so intense it sinks you back into your seat.

Yes...Those kids...lol:cool: :)

I dont consider thillers/psychological suspense movies horror, but i must say i tend to like them better....tend to be more original and not fall so neatly into stereotypical plotlines and character development....

Blood, guts, language, & nudity. (Some of them even have time to think about a plot!)

;)

Just kidding...

I think 1 thing that is essential to have a horror film is an R rating or beyond. People will argue this because there will always be some people that think 6th Sense is horror. It's not. A ghost story doesn't necessarily constitute horror. (Remember that gay movie 'Ghost'? Definately NOT horror.)

And while it's true that some of the older classic horror movies don't have an R rating. I think it's safe to assume that if they were remade, they would.

For me, horror rides many fine lines... There are certain elements that I feel a movie needs to contain in order to be a horror movie... Something supernatural that is menacing and threatening... This could include ghosts, classic creatures, demons, aliens, or serial killers that just won't seem to die...
or... Something psychological that is threatening... perhaps a maniac that kills for joy... texas chainsaw massacre is a good example... so are I Spit on Your Grave and Last House on the Left... Gore is almost a must but I've seen some very nice horror films that have done without it..

There are a lot of other things that I think can qualify a movie as horror... I would personally consider Gothika to be horror... not one of the best but still horror
Horror is something subjective and broad that I believe should be interpreted on an individual basis

I think thats the best answer on here.....thanks alot

no problem Vamp.. just dont' think cliches are necessary in order to call something horror

Agreed. I think its the cliches and tired rehashes that do more harm to the genre than good...