Research on Steve Neale's Theory of Repetition and Difference

Steve Neale's Theory of Repetition and Difference

Steve Neale came up with the theory that 'genres are instances of repetition and difference', and 'difference is absolutely essential to the economy of genre'. He decided that the genre of a particular film is determined by two things:

• How much it conforms with a genre's codes and conventions - he believed that a film must conform to its genre a substantial amount, in order to make it recognisably part of that genre
• How much it subverts a genre's codes and conventions - he believed that a film must subvert these conventions enough to make it unique, yet must still be identifiable.

An example of a film that subverts stereotypical conventions of horror would include 'It Follows', directed by David Robert Mitchell. Mitchell interestingly uses teenage sexuality as a force of harm rather than as a characteristic used to foreshadow death. The plot includes a stalking terror that is sexually transmitted, twisting the classic stereotypes of the promiscuous teenager resulting as the victim. However, the film conforms to typical horror conventions in the sense that it uses dark setting and lighting, and has a young female as the final girl. The use of an abandoned house further contributes to conforming to the conventions of horror. Overall, I think the slight twist of genre in this film is used to make it more unique and memorable whilst keeping it easy to identify as part of the horror genre.

The 2015 Official Trailer for 'It Follows'

-Anna Humphreys