Lighting in Slasher Horror Deconstruction

The lighting used sets the mood of a scene. The most common lighting used in a slasher horror is dark lighting to add tension and to create shadows. Dark lighting has connotations of mystery and eeriness.  Lighting can be used to enhance the audience’s fears such as claustrophobia or fear of the dark.

Lighting can also be used to emphasise an object an example of this is by specifically placing a light

on a weapon, such as a knife, to create a reflection. This adds to the realness of the horror and warns the viewers of the danger.

The following types of lighting are commonly used in slasher films:

• Low-key lighting- This type of lighting can be used to form dark shadows. This is created by the contrast of differently lit areas.

• Profile- Lighting- Half of the object or person can be seen in light whilst the other half is left in the shadows. This lighting can show the mood of the character or a split personality (good vs evil). 
  

• Under-Lighting- Used to create a distorted effect, the light is shone beneath the subject.

The Blair Witch Project

• Back-Lighting- Allows silhouettes of an object or person to be created. This lighting is created by shining the light from behind the subject mainly to help hide the identity of the killer and add to the enigma.

Nightmare on Elm Street