Research- sub-genre supernatural

 Hello everyone! This is my second blog post, and I will be researching the subgenre of supernatural. Supernatural films have always been my favorite type of movie, so I will research them to see if my teammates and I want to do a supernatural film or our film opening. 

Supernatural films are a sub-genre of the horror genre. Supernatural is one of the most popular sub-genres of horror. It's very recognizable and usually the most entertaining for the audience. Its main focus is on events like ghosts, demons, spirits, curses, witches, etc. Supernatural is very effective because the films can either be obviously fake, or sometimes they can be based on a true story and be very real. These types of films suggest that danger exists that is beyond human understanding. Supernatural horror is based on the idea that there are forces at work. They are made to be seen as if they are operating outside of logic and reasoning, like any other sub-genre. The setting of these films is usually familiar places. Places such as homes, schools, a park, etc. This makes it feel more unsafe because these places are familiar places for the audience. A place like a haunted house usually isn't a good idea because the audience is aware that bad things are supposed to happen there. 

 

Anabelle is one of the most popular natural films there is nowadays. It was released in 2014 and directed by John R. Leonetti, written by Gary Dauberman, and produced by James Wan and Peter Safran. This film was inspired by a doll that was haunted and investigated by paranormal researchers. This movie was set in the 1970s, and it's about how a couple's home gets haunted after they receive Anabelle. The paranormal events that occurred escalate quickly as they realize Anabelle is truly haunted and can harm them. It was supposedly based on a true story, but some people have different opinions about that because they believe the story was just for entertainment. 

Religion and mythology often play a big part in supernatural films. Films about curses, witches, or demonic possessions often reference religion, which can make the audience feel more uneasy and make it feel more real. Although some audiences don't believe in the supernatural, the films will seem more likely to happen when their beliefs are involved. 

                                           This is a list of some of the most famous supernaturals!

The black phone is a supernatural film that's directed by Scott Derrickson. It was produced by Blumhouse Productions and released by Universal Pictures. It was set in 1978, and it's about a young boy named Finney Blake that got abducted by a masked killer known as "The Grabber." Finney discovers a black phone in the basement, and to his surprise, he gets in contact with all of the killer's previous victims, and they help him escape. This film was so successful that they made it into a Franchise which led to The Black Phone 2! 

Supernatural films are different from other horror sub-genres in many ways. The idea of the existence of unexplainable forces such as ghosts, demons, and cursed items is one of the most common myths there is. These forces are often mysterious and unpredictable. In the black phone, the main character, Finny, is guided to survival by ghosts. Whereas in Anabelle, the doll serves as an excuse for demonic force. 

Reflection:

Overall, supernatural still thrives because it responds to an essential form of anxiety, which is the fear of losing control to an invisible force. These films suggest that there may be forces that go beyond human understanding. The idea of these stories actually being true can keep the audience up all night. My group and I think this can be our genre because we are all super interested and have many ideas for this genre! 

Sources:

Brandon Cornett. “The Supernatural Horror Genre Explained: Books, Movies & More.” Brandon Cornett, 23 Sept. 2024, www.cornettfiction.com/supernatural-horror-genre-explained/.

“The Supernatural Horror Film: An Introduction.” Comments on Culture, 11 Feb. 2025, bookerhorror.com/the-supernatural-horror-film-an-introduction/.

Contributors to The Conjuring Universe Wiki. “Annabelle (Film).” The Conjuring Universe Wiki, Fandom, Inc., theconjuringuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Annabelle_(film). Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.