Is there a term referring to the transgression that often begins a horror film?

Question

This question refers to the horror genre, however the desired term might well be applicable to other films or narratives.I'm looking for a term that refers to the transgression that often begins a horror film. For example, Marion's theft at the beginning of *Psycho* (1960, 1998). Another example would be the disrespect for the cemetery at the beginning of *Night of the Living Dead*. Note that this crime or transgression is often unrelated narratively to what follows, but is thematically or emotionally related - it evokes the feeling that the character(s) deserve punishment. (I sometimes read about horror, and I've run a few searches, without noticing such a term.)

Answer 1

There is no universally accepted term for the narrative step you refer to.

However, film theorists offer different words -- Disruption, Complication, Transgression, Disequilibrium, etc.-- to use for that step in narrative structure. By the way, these ideas pertain to ALL movies, not just horror films!

And, in mainstream movies of most genres, the equilibrium is almost always restored at the end, the Resolution stage.

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