DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004) image analysis

This scene from DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004) shows Monica being chainsawed by Glen in the bus when they are trying to escape. Monica is the typical stereotype of the female victim. She is blonde, smoked, drank and had sex shortly before this scene took place. It is not surprising to the audience that she died even through her death was accidental. Monica is made-up with dark red lipstick showing again the stereotype of a female victim as she had time to style her hair while the others were out fighting and isn’t dressed more masculine like Ana is which shows that she isn’t strong. The use of a chainsaw as a phallic symbol and how it impales her emphasises her character’s weaker and more feminine nature throughout the film. Glen also dies as he isn’t an overly important character in the film, although the fact that he is gay and a cross-dresser shows the forward thinking style of horror films. It is no accident that the survivors of the film are two women, one black man and one boy. In mainstream films, these are not often considered the heroes, but in horror films the so-called “underdogs” show their strength.