The film Edward Scissorhands is a contemporary archetype of the gothic genre that explores themes such as unrequited love, social rejection and human creation as defined by Tim Burton. Feature films explore different ideals that can be classified into different genres that create expectations among audiences about characters, settings, plots and themes. Edward Scissorhands directed by Tim Burton in 1990 is described as both a dark romantic fantasy and a gothic horror film. The film tells the story of Edward Scissorhands, the creation of an elderly inventor who dies before he can give Edward his normal hands instead of scissor hands. Edward is taken away from the mansion he lives in by a suburban family in an attempt to live a "normal" life. At first the public feared Edward, but after time they started welcoming him into the neighborhood until rumors spread and things got ugly. Edward Scissorhands has a fairytale fantasy component. The opening of the film features Kim "Grandma" as an old woman telling a child a bedtime story about how snow came to be. Grandma Kim usually begins the story with "once upon a time," a phrase commonly used when telling fairy tales. Fantasy and fairy tale each reflect the "fake" fictional themes depicted in this film. There are gothic horror themes reflected in Edward Scissorhands. The setting of this film depicts a clear gothic theme, from the creepy mansion it was created in to its character's costume throughout the film. Her dark makeup and costumes are juxtaposed against the bright suburbs she lives in, revealing her isolation and difference from society, which becomes her greatest struggle throughout the film. Edward's loneliness is laid bare by the setting of... in the center of the paper... and he says "the roof caved in on him, they killed each other" and then he says "you can see for yourself" as Kim raises a scissor hand he had found while running out the door. Kim did the right thing by leaving Edward alone and out of the mess. It is evident in many of today's award-winning films that the themes and genres of fairy tale, dark fantasy and gothic horror are still just as popular and have stood the test. of time. This film is known across generations as a "classic" and incorporates different ideals that appeal to a wide range of audiences. Each of these themes appeals to both genders; fairy tale for girls and dark fantasy/gothic horror for boys. Through Tim Burton's virtuoso direction an award-winning film was created, his manipulation of character development and the portrayal of different themes through setting, costume design and juxtaposition.