Narrative Theory: Todorov

The narrative theory developed by Tzvetan Todorov can be recognised -to an extent- in the trailer I previously analysed, 'Grave Encounters'. The structure of the trailer follows the structure of Todorov's theory although the fifth part is left out to not give away the plot. The audience now know some of the story and will want to see the film to find out how it is resolved.
A sense of equilibrium is established in the trailer's opening: everything is calm and normal. There is a slight sense of unease but this is not expanded upon.

Suddenly we are presented with some shocking imagery, 'disturbing' the equilibrium. The threat is introduced and this part of the trailer mirrors the narrative of the entire film.

Next, the characters identify the threat and seek to confront it (combining stages 3 and 4 of recognising the problem and trying to reinstate equilibrium).

However the final stage of a resolution within the narrative is omitted. Enigma codes are used in the trailer to excite the consumer and make them anticipate the film's ending. The trailer ends with a disorienting, hand held shot sequence further confusing the viewer.

Graeme Burton's theory of horror films states there are formulaic key elements of the horror genre which the audience 'subconsciously expect to see' applied to movies. I agree with Burton's theory as even in films in which the director intends to challenge the audience's expectations, clear genre markers such as stock situations, genre icons, themes, setting, stock situations and plots, characters (the protagonist and other stereotypical stock characters) and backgrounds and decor are still used so the audience recognise the genre although some are used to a lesser extent than others. In this task I have looked at a few summaries of popular horror films to see how the formula is applied.

Key elements in horror synopses

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