Christian Metz model of genre development

Christian Metz in his book language and cinema (1974) explored the development of genre film and suggested that genres pass through four phases of existence.


1. The experimental
By experimental we mean the phase of early films which explored and experimented with the horror film genre themes in it's narratives.

Examples of experimental movies:

                                          

2. The classic

By classic we mean the phase of films which established the narrative conventions of the horror genre in its most successful and defining period.

Examples of classic horror movies:

3. Parody

By parody we mean films that have mimicked the horror genre in some comical way

Examples of parody horror movies:

4. Deconstruction

By deconstruction we mean films which have taken the generic elements of the horror genre and amalgamted them into varying sub genres.  

Examples of deconstructed horror movies.

                   

Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee

Both Peter Cushing and Christoper Lee are famous horror films actors. They have played in films like Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), Hound of the Baskervilles (1959) and The Mummy (1959) together.

           Peter Cushing                                                                    Christopher Lee