Dawn Of The Dead 2004 Image Analysis 2

I like this shot because it challenges stereotypes. Usually, you'd expect the hero to be male and the blonde female would usually be expected to be the victim. In this shot, it shows the blonde female being heroic by stabbing the zombie. Something else, which is typical of horror films, is the body horror. It is really successful in this shot, the blood and the stabbing looks realistic, but something else which adds to the uncomfort of the shot is the dirtiness of the zombie, under her arms she looks sweaty and unclean which would make audiences cringe just as much as the blood. The location of the shot is one which audiences would be familiar with, which would make them more afraid because they may feel like something like this could happen to them. The blonde girl is stabbing the zombie with a long, sharp object which is a representation of a phallic symbol. She is demanding the male, hardcore characteristics by using this weapon.