Fire is sometimes used in low-budget horror movies. A particularly memorable use of fire in a low-budget horror movie can be seen in the horror film "Carrie," in which the main character uses telepathy to throw objects across a high school auditorium, causing the building to catch fire. Pyrotechnic reactions involve a combustible substance (usually carbon-based) and oxygen. One example of a pyrotechnic reaction is CH2 + O2 = CO2 + H20, which can also be stated as "methylene + oxygen (in the presence of a flame) converts to carbon dioxide and water."
Makeup is frequently used in low-budget horror movies to create the impression of facial deformities and other ghastly sights. Chemical reactions are used to create the makeup that is used in horror movies. Many facial deformities are created using foam latex, a substance produced when latex and ammonia are placed together in a mold, causing a fleshy foam to rise to the surface. The foam bears an uncanny resemblance to skin and can thus be used to create the appearance of virtually any kind of subcutaneous growth.
Low-budget horror movies frequently use various combinations of chemicals to create the impression of blood. The cheapest blood-like mixture can be made using water, food coloring and corn syrup. The chemical reaction at work here is a simple dissolution: there is no reaction at a molecular level, since all the constituent components retain their molecular structure; however, there is a physical reaction in that the components form a strong affinity for each other when stirred. The resultant component is commonly used in low-budget horror movies because it is so easy to produce.
Messy hair has long been a staple of stock horror movie characters, especially the mad scientist. Chemical reactions are commonly used in low-budget horror movies to give actors frizzy hair for their roles. The reaction of thioglycolic acid with crystine amino acids causes human hair to curl, creating an "untamed" quality that is perfect for the mad scientist role.