Abstract：Film is an approachable art form, which is able to demonstrate different regional cultures in a more vivid audio-visual form and more comprehensible to all compared with literary works. "Horror" is an inherent psychological reaction in human beings, and the culture of horror had existed in human society since ancient times. As a particular cultural phenomenon, horror culture was rooted in the form of horror films for a long time. As a result, with its own unique characteristics, horror film can more or less reveal a nation's history, culture, and art, even suggesting the spirit of a nation; thus the cultural difference between East and West such as the development of its own history, civilization in history, religion and culture, and ideology can be reflected in their respective horror films. Moreover, the audience can find there are also difference in terror images and means of expressions.

  This paper applies the American horror films as Western culture representatives; Chinese, Japanese, Korean horror films as the Eastern one. It begins with a brief introduction of horror film history and development of Eastern and Western horror films. In the second and third chapter, this paper compares the image, theme and the difference in terms of technical expressions between East and West horror films by comparing and analyzing examples in classic horror films. And in the last chapter, it endeavors to amount a new height by exploring the history and religious factors in forming the difference in Eastern and Western culture revealed by horror films.

  This paper could help the readers generate new knowledge about horror culture and better understand the genre of horror film in some degree, and consciously elevate to a cultural level.

Key Words: Horror film；culture；difference；ghost；history；religious

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1.Introduction-２

1.1 Definition of Horror Film -1

1.2 History and development of Horror Films-2

1.2.1 Horror film in Western countries-2

   1.2.2 Horror film in Eastern countries-2

2. The Cultural Difference on the Image of Monster and Demon-3

2.1 An Analysis on the image of monsters and demons in the Alien (West)-4

2.1 An Analysis on the image of monsters and demons in The Ring (East)-5

2.3 A Comparison on the images of monster and demon between East and West6

3. The Cultural Difference Reflected in Psychological Analysis-7

3.1 An Analysis on criminal psychology in Saw (West)-7

3.2 Psychological analysis on Audition and Inner Senses (East)-8

3.3 A Comparison on the psychology of horror films between West and East-10

4. The Exploration on the reasons of cultural difference between West and East11

   4.1History and Civilization.11

   4.1.1 Feudal Society and Peasant Economy (East)11

   4.1.2 Westward Movement and Technological Revolution11

   4.2 Religious and Metaphysical Analysis .12

   4.2.1Taoism and Buddhism(East)12

   4.2.2 Chrisianity(West).12

Conclusion14References15

Acknowledgment-17