A specialized category within a larger genre that has its own distinctive conventions, themes, or stylistic features while maintaining connection to the parent genre. It represents a more specific classification of artistic works.
From Latin 'sub' (under) and French 'genre' (kind/type). The concept emerged with the proliferation of artistic categories in the 20th century, as critics needed more precise terminology to describe increasingly specialized forms of creative expression.
Horror has spawned dozens of subgenres - from psychological horror to body horror to cosmic horror - each with devoted fans who can spot the subtle differences! Video games have created entirely new subgenres like 'roguelike' and 'battle royale' that didn't exist before digital media, showing how technology drives artistic evolution.
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