Genre: Bubblegum Horror?!For my AICE media class, we are learning about different genres and how they have specific target audiences and different qualities to each other. Out of all the subgenres and genres to choose from, I decided to choose Bubblegum Horror/Slasher. Bubblegum Horror films are horror that mainly focuses on the mise-en-scene and the aesthetics of the movie while including strong horror/thriller elements. Bubblegum horror films have usually have bright neon colors and glitz with glamour. These movie typically have a target audience of young teens and adults. More specifically, this genre appeals to gen-z and is niche popular in TikTok and social media and young women/teen girls
Genre Conventions Context:
The Aesthetics?
Directors of these films make a strong importance of the aesthetics of a piece, it has to have a style or look that the audience, which is usually young adults or teens, find interesting and attractive. Scenes will have very striking and colorful lighting, like the use of neon's and bright colors. "Last Night in Soho" uses lots of neon lighting giving in to the aesthetics of the film.
Plot & Characters?
The main characters in these films are usually female, which allows the directors to lean into more feminine aesthetics. Characters are usually in their early to mid twenties and sometimes even high school age, making it easier for their target audience of young adults to relate or be interested on watching the film/show. The plot is like any other horror plot, but with added edition of aesthetics and looks. The best way I can describe it is it's like it's eye-catching horror.
Costumes/Make-up
This genre is meant to appeal to a younger audience and by doing so the movies depict fashions trends and aesthetics in the characters costuming to strengthen the looks of the film. In "Liza Frankenstein", the depiction of gothic teen beauty and fashion is very apparent to Lisa's character. She wears more gothic clothing when she gains confidence through her relationship with creature and the murders she has committed. The costuming and horror elements go hand in hand to strength the theme in this example.
Marketing? Institutional Conventions
Marketing in bubblegum slasher are usually use social media tactics to promote the film. They also included famous music artists in their soundtrack. “Bodies Bodies Bodies” includes famous Gen Z icon, Charli xcx, in the soundtrack for the song “Hot Girl”. The image, is alluring, flashy, and eye-catching. The image is even more so when using celebrities that are in public favor of the younger generation or gen z icons. You will find gen z lingo/slang specifically in ads or marketing campaigns of these movies.
Examples? Gasp!
Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022)
-This movie came out during 2022, as TikTok was on it's continual rise. The movie plot is a party of rich-twenty somethings being stuck together in a mansion during a hurricane while a murder takes place. The movie speaks a lot about Gen Z behavior and a satirical piece about the politics, technology effects, and language of progressives in our society today. This movie embodies the horror and aesthetic elements of the genre. This horror is in the obvious murder mystery plots of the film, and the “killer” amongst the party. The aesthetics are in the neon lights and costuming in the characters and the overall trendy vibe we see with the costuming and characters speech/dialogue.
Liza Frankenstein (2024)
-This movie came out during February of this year. The plot is about Liza Swallows encountering a alive corpse which causes chaos around her. The movie takes place during the 80’s and heavily lends on the eighty aesthetics. Scenes which include, the “tanning bed” which is used to attach body parts to “the creature” have bright neon's (look at the picture above). The bright neon colors used in the film heavily correlated with the supernatural elements in the film. I can’t really talk about horror elements without spoiling the film (sorry), but the horror elements is the killing spree that the Creature and Liza embark in, very zany and fun.
Other Fun Examples!
Scream Queens! (2015-2016)
Uses a lot of aesthetics and horror through the Chanel's and the murders they encounter/commit.
Jennifer's Body (2009)
The character of Jennifer is a true staple of the mix of the genre themes.
Last Night In Soho (2021)
Has neon's and bright colors, reoccurring color and lighting choice for the aesthetics of this genre
The Love Witch (2016)
Note: Aesthetics and looks are huge in this film, this movie came out in 2016, yet looks like it came from an older decade.
Promising Young Woman (2020)