Nosferatu (1922) and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992).

In class we watched two adaptations of Dracula, originally a novel written by Bram Stoker. The first film we watched was 'Nosferatu (1922)' and the second 'Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)'. We also talked about how horror films present the known and unknown narrative in order to have more of an impact on the audience. It is common for horror movies to begin in familiar settings with regular events occurring. This makes the audience feel more comfortable for the beginning of the movie before things start to go wrong, such as the arrival of the villain. This means that when this does happen, the audience is shocked and even more frightened because of the contrast between what is familiar and comforting and what is unknown and unnatural. 
I have explored the known/unknown narrative in both of the Dracula films.

The films Nosferatu (1922) and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) both use the known and unknown narratives in order to create an impact on the audience. By contrasting the known against the unknown, the film has a bigger effect on people, as it presents them with ideas and situations they are familiar with before introducing unfamiliar situations which makes watching the film more uncomfortable for the audience.

'Nosferatu' opens in idyllic setting and presents a scene which is very familiar and comforting to the audience, especially that of the time. The music used in the opening is positive and upbeat, creating a happy vibe. We are introduced to two of the main characters, a couple, who are presented as very ordinary people that most people would interact with on a daily basis. The opening of Bram Stoker's Dracula is similar in that it begins by presenting the audience with an idea that is familiar in the current time. In this case, the main character is at war fighting for his religion. Although this situation is not particularly joyous, it is not anything out of the ordinary that the audience is not used to. This is later contrasted when the same character turns against God, which is something that feels very unnatural and uncomfortable for a lot of people, as God often symbolises good. Both Nosferatu and Bram Stoker's Dracula use icons that are familiar to the audience in a creative way. In both films they take the crucifix which symbolises good and stability in society and corrupt it, which is uncomfortable for the audience as it feels as though good is being overthrown by evil.