The key elements of horror films: Comparative study between Thailand and China

Abstract

This research is focus on the key elements of horror film and national culture. The objectives of research are finding key elements in China and Thailand horror film and compare the culture of China and Thailand horror film. Six horror films from China and Thailand had been selected to be sample from 2008 to 2017. They are The house that never dies (2014), Who in the mirror (2012), Mysterious Face 2013, Pee Mark (2013), The Snow White (2010), and Phobia 2-Ha phraeng (2009). This study also combined with Greet Hofstede’s culture dimensions to explore the similarity and differences of Chinese and Thai horror film. The ghost events in Chinese horror film always occur at night and the image of ghost always female. Chinese horror film has defects on narrative logic. The ghost events in Thailand horror film mainly occur at night and the image of ghost in different ages and gender besides female. The tone of Thailand horror film is humorous.