Deconstruction of Possessed Little Girls in Supernatural Horror Films

Little or young girls are a common choice for a possessed character in horror films, especially in the supernatural horror genre. This choice of character in horror films is effective for a number of reasons. Firstly, the audience does not associate someone as seemingly innocent as a young girl to be something so possessed and brutal when they are possessed. Secondly, since the Victorian era, the use of children and children-associated objects such as children's toys and old-fashioned prams have played a major part of traditional ghost stories because of the creepiness and eeriness it conjures up to the audience. 

• This is a screenshot of the main character of the 2002 horror film The Ring in a possessed state. 
• What makes this character conform to the horror genre is how her long hair is completely covering her face. This creates a sense of anonymity and mystery as the audience is unsure of the true identity mainly through the lack of visuals. 
• The character's long and old-fashioned clothing is very minimal and resembles old-fashioned clothing which conforms to horror and possession. 

• This is a screenshot of a possessed character from the 2007 Spanish horror REC. 
• Unlike in The Ring, this character's face is uncovered and reveals bloods stains and rashes or other types of reactions caused by the virus she has been infected with. 
• The girl's dark and blood-shot eyes are also one of the main aspects of the visual image which makes it eerie and frightening for the audience. 
• The girl's messy and un-groomed hair also conforms to the horror genre as it suggests that the character has been infected with a virus and perhaps a more savage environment for a significant period of time.

• This is a screenshot of a possessed character from the 2007 horror 30 Days of Night.
• Although this film is of the vampire-horror genre, which is very different to the supernatural horror genre our film opening is going to be based on, it uses the same type of character to create the same horror sense. 
• The blood around the character's mouth and on her dress strongly conveys horror and that the girl is very dangerous. 
• The use of a teddy bear as a prop emphasises the young age of the girl and also gives an eerie and creepy sense. This is because it creates a juxtaposition between the vicious acts of the little girl and the fact that she carries a children's toy.