Christian Metz's Genre Development Theory

The Metz theory was made by Christian Metz who explored genre development. In his theory he suggested that each genre passes through 4 stages.
These stages are;
1) The experimental
2) The classic
3) The parody
4) The deconstruction

These stages are most easily recognized in the horror genre.

The experimental stage is about the first films made in a genre. During this stage films are more experimental so different narratives and themes are explored. This experimentation helps develop and formalize the basic conventions.
Examples of films from this stage in the horror genre are:

• Nosferatu
• The Cabinet of Dr Caligari

The classic stage is the phase in which a film genre has well established the general conventions. It also normally the stage in which the genre is at its most successful and defining period of time.
Examples of films from this stage in the horror genre are:

• Frankenstein
• Dracula

The parody stage is when other films mimic the conventions normally in a comedic way.
Examples of films from this stage in the horror genre are:

• Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein
• Beetlejuice

The deconstruction stage is when films take different parts which are normally the generic elements and amalgamate them into dividing sub genres.
Examples of films from this stage in the horror genre are:

• Se7en
• The Blair Witch Project