Carol Clover
Carol Clover has several theories about horror.
- The aim of horror in cinemas is to play to masochistic (pleasure in inflicting pain) fears. Masochism always dominated over sadism (pleasure in having pain).
- Killers either have childhood issues or are sexually disturbed. Female killers have gender confusion, or other problems.
- Horror tends to happen in decaying/ haunted houses. The back stories of these places can be terrible, due to a disturbing history. Also walls in houses can make the victim feel safe... until the killer starts to hack in to them.
- NO GUNS. If there are firearms, then they tend not to work, like the phone.
- Victims tend to be young beautiful women that have had sexual experiences.
- The final girl theory. That the only girls that tends to live are, intelligent, boyish, a virgin and has a name that is boyish.
- Slashers are aimed at males. This is because they will cheer on the killer, and then be sympathetic towards the victim.