Codes and conventions of characters of horror films - the victims

Codes and conventions of characters of horror films - the victims 

The victims in most horror films usually investigate a strange sound coming from a particular area usually from isolated places i.e. woods,  where the characters inadvertently investigate and then they are attacked by the antagonist which they fall victim to the antagonist.

When the victims are being chased by the antagonist(s) they usually fall over by them tripping over something such as a tree stump or when they are looking behind they run into a tree or a step. This may happen due to it being dark or dimly lit which therefore they are not able to see things clearly and thus they run into various objects.

Also they could fall over through them naturally being clumsy or through them being scared and anxious which will make them have less coordination and having selective attention by them focusing on the antagonist but not focusing on the details of their surroundings there in, which they will be more vulnerable to falling over something. The director does this as it makes the character more vulnerable and creates tension for the audience as the antagonist is getting closer to the character being chased.

Another convention for characters that is used in horror films and mostly used in horror slashers is that the victim hides behind a door or a window in which the antagonist hands break through the door or window and grabs them. This is used to make the victims vulnerable and to create tension and dread for the audience as it is a good opportunity for the audience to jump/startled when the victim is hiding behind the door or near a window in which at the time it is calm and quiet then suddenly a hand or arm or even a weapon breaks through the door or window which then startles the audience.