It's obvious we need a vote on this before it tears the Internet apart.

It has just struck me that all stories are set in space and that, therefore, all Horror stories are set in space.

Then again, the fact that all stories are set in space means that all stories qualify as Science Fiction.

Even Kes.

The idea that a film can only be one genre is beyond idiotic.

My ex-missus would refuse to watch horror films despite her knowing it was my favourite genre.

She wouldn't even watch the most anodyne of vaguely horror-ish movies.

Films with a supernatural theme or ghost stories.

Everything remotely linked to the horror genre and its various sub-genres.

Then, when we went on holiday in Cornwall, we got drunk and stayed up late one night and she sat up and watched Alien (a film I consider the most deeply affecting, disturbing and downright terrifyingly traumatic film ever made) with me.

I was amazed, frankly, and expressed my surprise the next morning to her.

She replied "it's science fiction, not horror".

Well, I just calmly turned around and left her...


Lying there.

Bone Tomahawk and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers - same genre.

Downton Abbey and The Innocents - same genre.

Nightjar wrote:

The idea that a film can only be one genre is beyond idiotic.

I think though that a text's membership of a genre can be quantified So for example, Alien is obviously 100% SF, and, say, 50% horror, and so we think of it as an SF film with horror elements.

I also think there's a kind of 'genre precedence', so for example Carry On Screaming is both comedy and horror, but comedy comes first when classifying it. You wouldn't expect to find it shelved with horror films, but with comedy films. Likewise, Alien would go with the SF films not the horror ones.

Quote :

Then, when we went on holiday in Cornwall, we got drunk and stayed up late one night and she sat up and watched Alien (a film I consider the most deeply affecting, disturbing and downright terrifyingly traumatic film ever made) with me.

Weirdly, I was just now typing up an entry from my July 2006 diary about a disastrous holiday in Cornwall with my [subsequently ex-]friend, during which my only respite from abuse from her was to repeatedly watch the only entertainment the holiday cottage offered, namely a free giveaway DVD of Carry On Camping. After the fifth viewing I was all ready to dump comedy green stew all over her.

[quote="Fangirl Three"]

Nightjar wrote:

Alien is obviously 100% SF, and, say, 50% horror, and so we think of it as an SF film with horror elements.

It is a horror film first.

It is also a science fiction film, but the horror element takes precedence due to the way the film is told, paced, edited, lit and, of course, due to the art/production design, sfx and disturbing underlying psychological components of body-horror.

Aliens on the other hand is a science-fiction/action/horror film, with horror being the supporting element to the former two.

Alien3 is a sci-fi/horror/drama (in that order).

Alien Resurrection is shite.

Fangirl Three wrote:

Nightjar wrote:

Alien is obviously 100% SF, and, say, 50% horror, and so we think of it as an SF film with horror elements.

It is a horror film first.

It is also a science fiction film, but the horror element takes precedence due to the way the film is told, paced, edited, lit and, of course, due to the art/production design, sfx and disturbing underlying psychological components of body-horror.

Oh, and Jerry Goldsmith's very creepy, atmospheric score.

And the foley art in general.