MY TOP TEN PIECES OF HORROR FILM ICONOGRAPHY

1) Psycho Knife

Iconic of the horror genre itself - you are told to think of a typical murder in a horror film and you think of the 'Psycho' shower scene, with the silohette of the murderer holding the knife (and music) the iconic image. The scene is so well built up and shot that it has become the basis of horror convention and how to create tension - the image immediately creates fear through its meaning.

2) Halloween Mask

The mask immediately makes you think of 'Halloween' and the killer Mike Myers, who has become a typically iconic villain figure in the genre. What makes him iconic is the blank expressionless mask, which is what makes him scary and stand out from other killers. You know it is Mike Myers when you see the mask - with it representing fear of the unknown.

3) The Shining Quote - "Here's Johnny"

This is a typically famous scene, being the climax of 'The Shining', as it completely depicts the emotion of the killer more so than any other film. We can see how the character has gone totally mad and psychotic, with the "Here's Johnny" quote not only brining this side out of the villain, but giving it a sense of humour and inevitability. The image in the gap of the door he has produced with an axe is also iconic.

4) Nosferatu Shadow

Possibly one of the oldest horror film icons is the shadow of 'Nosferatu' (the original "Dracula"). Countless times in the movie we know he is on his way to kill as we see his shadow creeping around the hallways and up the stairs. The shadow was so technologically advanced in its day due to the lighting source and shape of the character, making it one of the outstanding horror icons.

5) The Ring Well

This image was used on all types of promotion of the film as well as on the cover, making it a horror icon for modern day film. The shot is taken inside a well with a lid on it, creating a ring from the oustide sunlight - this creates 'The Ring' shape that is always associated with the film as it is central to the symbolism and plot, espically on the video tape in the film.

6) Scream Mask

The 'Scream' mask has become a huge icon of the horror genre - originally based on the painting titled 'Scream', the mask has become even more famous than the painting due to its simple but effective look. The fact that the mask was bought from a Halloween shop during the movie meant the mask became this in reality, and is now one of the most commonly bought costumes on Halloween.

7) The Exorcist Man

The image shown on all covers and types of promotion media for the film 'The Exorcist' shows the man looking into the light of the house he is supposed to "exorcise". It has become iconic with the old housing, fencing and lampost setting an immediate eery scene, and the light showing an unkown power. The image itself is powerful and fairly creepy without giving much away, creating mystery and suspence, rather than a striking icon.

8) The Omen Child

The child from 'The Omen' has become extremely iconic due him being labelled "the devil chil". He is sinister looking, and has such an evil stare that you cannot help but feel freaked out when you look at him in an image like this - his eyes follow you. You immediately think of the devil, making it a horror icon. Arguably, the cild from the new "Omen" film is even more iconic nowadays.

9) The Amityville Horror House

What makes the house from 'The Amityville Horror' so iconic is that it is based on a real supposedly haunted house. It is a typical American Mansion but is sinister looking with its pillars creating a "mouth" at the front and its wooden structure creating "creakiness". The shape of the front is church-like with a point upwards, making it stand out from normal houses (becoming the basis of what you would think a "haunted house" would look like). The legend of the house makes it even more iconic.

10) The Blairwitch Project Man

The image of this character makes you think of 'The Blairwitch Project' because it is so iconic and used on the film covers. It wholly depicts the "in your face" handheld nature of the film by mis-framing the character (only partially in CU range), and inserting real fear into their expression. It shows vulnerability in the outdoors using the hat and torch light - bringing a new realistic dimension to the horror genre.