Simply put, genre is what separates films into different narrative categories. While no concise definitions exist for any particular genre, they are easily recognizable through the film as they are typically reflected through common plot patterns. Within a certain genre there are subgenres that add specificity to what the story is about and what it involves. Although this reveals much of the film’s content, it serves as a helpful tool for filmmakers and viewers in a variety of ways. On one hand, film production companies often analyze trends among certain genres to guide their decision with the type of film they want to create. For this strategy to be put into full effect, the film could be advertised in a way that heavily emphasizes its genre. For instance, chapter 9 of Film Art: An Introduction mentions how the appalling design, text, and typography on the poster for Twilight: Eclipse makes it clear that the movie falls under genres of fantasy, romance, and horror.

On the other hand, genres give moviegoers the opportunity to search for what they want to watch through a lens that allows them to find a subset of films that are more catered towards their own interests.
Although genres generally make a film more predictable, they vary greatly in how they impact the viewer. One key difference is in emotional effect; musicals tend to highlight positive aspects of characters’ lives and evoke happier emotions, whereas the focus of horror films is to arouse fear in the viewer. The use of formal elements provides the means to make these effects apparent. For example, horror films often rely on lowkey lighting, focus racking, monochromatic color palettes, and certain framing techniques to create feelings of suspense and horror. On the flip side, musicals such as La La Land utilize a vibrant color palette, whip pans, and soundtracks to give the film energy and passion. Different genres will also have varying conventions of story and style. Some genres may reveal themselves more through common plot patterns such as with a “rags to riches” or an “overcoming the monster” story; others do this through meaning that is interpreted from the film– an example of this from a thriller film could be the price of acquiring success as a criminal. Of course, there are so many other ways in which genre is conveyed in film, but it is important to recognize how that’s done in order to gain insight into what purpose it serves in expressing the primary messages and themes of the film.