The Ghosts of Grief: An Exploration of Gothic Influence in 2010s Horror Cinema

CHAPTER IV: COMPARATIVE FILM ANALYSIS

This chapter contains my analysis of three horror films. I compare the dimensions of Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook (2014), Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation (2015), and Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak (2015) in order to find similar and recurring themes. Through a comparison of the three films, I argue that the texts use the concept of isolation to create both fear and empathy. Isolation is a theme that is prominent in the horror genre, specifically in haunted house films. My analysis looks at haunted house iconography of the horror genre as presented in these three films. Based on my close readings of the films, it is apparent that they use the “haunted house” as not only a setting and narrative device but also as a metaphor for tragedy and trauma. Furthermore, I identify a connection between the lack of emotional openness and physical isolation of the characters in the films. 

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