“Shiver with anticipation” - A study of suspense in the horror film genre

Suspense is the core driving force behind any film. It is a greatly valued narrative tool utilised across multiple genres, but there is arguably no other cinematic genre that relies on the use of suspense more than the horror genre. The evocation of a palpable sense of fear within an audience is the ultimate goal of every horror filmmaker. However, the achievement of that goal is unquestionably tied to their ability to create suspense within the events of a film. This thesis discusses the concept of suspense within the context of the horror film genre with the aim of revealing how effective it can be in evoking the desired responses of fear, anxiety, and tension in audiences when employed successfully within a horror film narrative. In Chapter One, existing academic theories and definitions surrounding the concept of suspense will be analysed. Chapters Two and Three will demonstrate how suspense theory is put into practice by horror filmmakers in their work in order to generate genuine fear and tension in audiences through the careful crafting of visuals and sound. Cinematography and Sound Design are the crucial keys to success in creating horror suspense, therefore the text will explore the full scope of their importance in suspense building individually. Cinematography and Sound Design techniques will be analysed using examples from past and present horror films to highlight how successful they are in generating a palpable sense of suspense in practice.