Slapstick Codes And Conventions

As a larger genre, slapstick is categorized as a type of physical comedy often including “absurd situations, and vigorous, usually violent action.” The Slapstick you may be most familiar with was aggrandized by early film stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Buster Keaton. (Britannica) Your classic bottle to the head, pie in the face, or classic slip on a banana peel can all be viewed as forms of slapstick comedy.

Slapstick horror is a unique subgenre of horror that combines physical comedy with horror elements and themes. It is designed to be both scary and funny, and it aims to provide audiences with an entertaining experience that is not only suspenseful but also comical. The goal of slapstick horror is to create a horror film

These films utilized physical comedy, often in the form of pratfalls and exaggerated reactions, to add humor to their horror themes. As the horror genre evolved, so did the use of slapstick elements, and they became a staple of many horror comedies throughout the 20th century. Slapstick horror often involves characters who are placed in absurd and comical situations, and who react in over-the-top ways to the frightening events that are occurring around them. For example, a character might fall down a staircase while being chased by a monster, or they might make a silly face in reaction to a jump scare. These elements of physical comedy add levity to the horror genre and help to reduce the tension and scare factor, making the film more accessible to a wider audience. Although, as movies increased their maturity rating the level at which violence and humor are mixed was elevated. To keep lighter energy in the intense violence being shown some filmmakers use higher contrast colors or less realistic-looking special effects. This can be seen very well in Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead”, or as an even more recent example “Pearl” directed by Ti

Some of the most notable examples of slapstick horror include films such as “The Evil Dead Series,” “Shaun of the Dead,” “Zombieland,” and “Scary Movie.” These films have become cult classics and are widely recognized for their ability to effectively blend horror and comedy. Despite its popularity, slapstick horror is still a difficult genre to get right. It requires a talented cast and crew to bring the humor and the horror elements to life. The challenge of creating a successful slapstick horror film is what makes the genre so appealing to filmmakers, and it is what has kept audiences coming back for