What do different horror films have in common?

Settings in horror films are very similar in description.  Most of the settings are bleak, gloomy locations, such as haunted houses and abandoned buildings.  Similarly, some horror movies use desolate locations such as small towns and remote cabins in the woods. The settings give off an isolated feeling and a perception of confinement.  The locations are usually seen as older locations with creaky floorboards and possibly some spider webs.  These places will sometimes contain creepy items like old dolls, masks, or bloody weapons.  

The Codes and Conventions of Horror Films talks about how lighting effects the mood of the film.  Uplighting or close-ups are used to make the expressions of the characters more extreme.  If a film shows only a little of the gore, it leaves the fear up to the audience's imagination.  Bright lights will create a sense of contentment while darkness creates fear and uncertainty.  The term chiaroscuro is using a contrast of light and dark.  This makes the audience anxious about what is going to come out of the shadows.  It also creates a sense of disorientation.  Flickering lights are often used to let the audience know that the action is moving from safety to danger.

In The Exorcist, the shadow of Father Merrin was used to show the struggle between good and bad. The image of the shadow is to show a stunning visual that is also scary at the same time.

In our film, we are going to use an abandoned setting to create a sense of uncertainty and fear.  The action will be built around discovering the dangers that come from the abandoned house.  Shadows in the lighting will show the uneasiness of the characters and the suspense of what is about to happen.  The flickering of the lights will help to transition the scene from friends safely hanging out to a danger soon to come.  The last thing is the close-ups that will show the intensity of the disappearance of one of the characters.