Psychological horror is a genre of horror that primarily focuses on the mental, emotional, and psychological states of its characters. It explores psychological terror and the effects of fear and anxiety on the characters, rather than relying on jump scares or physical violence. This genre of horror has become increasingly popular in recent years for its ability to create a sense of dread and tension through its use of complex stories and characters.
History of Psychological Horror
Psychological horror has its roots in both literature and film. The works of Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft in the 19th century have been credited with helping to lay the groundwork for the genre. In the early 20th century, horror films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Frankenstein began to explore psychological horror themes.
The Influence of Literature
The works of authors like Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft have been credited with helping to shape the genre of psychological horror. Poe’s works, such as “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Cask of Amontillado,” explored the dark depths of the human psyche and the effects of fear and anxiety on his characters. Lovecraft’s stories often featured cosmic horror and explored themes of insanity and the unknown.
The Influence of Film
In the early 20th century, horror films began to explore psychological horror themes. Films such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Frankenstein were influential in establishing the genre. These films explored themes of insanity, fear, and the unknown, and relied on tension and suspense to create a sense of dread.
The Development of Psychological Horror
Psychological horror has developed over time, with new themes and tropes emerging as the genre has evolved.
Themes
Common themes in psychological horror include fear, paranoia, guilt, and the unknown. These themes are explored through the characters and their conflicts, and often serve to build tension and suspense.
Tropes
Common tropes in psychological horror include dream sequences, unreliable narrators, and unreliable realities. These tropes are used to create tension and suspense, and to explore themes of fear and paranoia.
Psychological horror has become increasingly popular in recent years, with a number of popular films exploring the genre.
The Shining
The Shining is a psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film follows Jack Torrance, a writer who takes a job as a caretaker at an isolated hotel. The film explores themes of fear, paranoia, and the supernatural, and features a number of psychological horror tropes, such as dream sequences and unreliable realities.
Rosemary’s Baby
Rosemary’s Baby is a psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski. The film follows Rosemary, a pregnant woman who becomes increasingly paranoid that her unborn child is in danger. The film explores themes of paranoia, fear, and the supernatural, and features a number of psychological horror tropes, such as dream sequences and unreliable narrators.
A Quiet Place
A Quiet Place is a psychological horror film directed by John Krasinski. The film follows a family struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by monsters that hunt by sound. The film explores themes of fear, paranoia, and survival, and features a number of psychological horror tropes, such as dream sequences and unreliable realities.
Get Out
Get Out is a psychological horror film directed by Jordan Peele. The film follows Chris, a young African American man who visits his white girlfriend’s family estate. The film explores themes of racism, fear, and the supernatural, and features a number of psychological horror tropes, such as dream sequences and unreliable narrators.
The Babadook
The Babadook is a psychological horror film directed by Jennifer Kent. The film follows Amelia, a single mother struggling to cope with the death of her husband and the demands of parenting. The film explores themes of grief, fear, and the supernatural, and features a number of psychological horror tropes, such as dream sequences and unreliable realities.
The Witch
The Witch is a psychological horror film directed by Robert Eggers. The film follows a family of Puritan settlers who encounter a mysterious witch in the woods. The film explores themes of fear, paranoia, and the supernatural, and features a number of psychological horror tropes, such as dream sequences and unreliable narrators.
It Follows
It Follows is a psychological horror film directed by David Robert Mitchell. The film follows Jay, a young woman who is pursued by a mysterious force after a sexual encounter. The film explores themes of fear, paranoia, and the supernatural, and features a number of psychological horror tropes, such as dream sequences and unreliable realities.
Psychological horror has continued to evolve, with new themes and tropes emerging as the genre has developed.
New Themes
Recent psychological horror films have explored new themes, such as technology, post-modernism, and identity. These themes are explored through the characters and their conflicts, and often serve to build tension and suspense.
New Tropes
Recent psychological horror films have also introduced new tropes, such as post-modernism, technology, and identity. These tropes are used to create tension and suspense, and to explore themes of fear and paranoia.
Modern Plotlines
Modern psychological horror films have also developed more complex plotlines, with characters and stories that are more nuanced and intricate than in previous films. These plotlines are often used to build tension and suspense, and to explore themes of fear and paranoia.
Psychological horror has had a significant impact on both society and culture.
Societal Impact
Psychological horror has had a significant impact on society, with many films exploring themes of fear, paranoia, and the supernatural. These themes have resonated with viewers, and many films have become culturally significant due to their exploration of these themes.
Cultural Impact
Psychological horror has also had a significant impact on culture, with films like The Shining, Rosemary’s Baby, and Get Out becoming cultural touchstones. These films have become popular due to their exploration of psychological horror themes, and have had a lasting influence on the genre.
Psychological Impact
Psychological horror films have also had a psychological impact on viewers, with many films exploring themes of fear, paranoia, and the unknown. These films can be both terrifying and thought-provoking, and have been credited with helping to shape viewers’ understanding of the genre.
The Current State of Psychological Horror
Psychological horror has become increasingly popular in recent years, with a number of films exploring the genre. These films have explored new themes and tropes, and have become popular due to their exploration of psychological horror themes.
The Future of Psychological Horror
The future of psychological horror looks bright, with films exploring new themes and tropes. As the genre continues to evolve, viewers can expect to see more films exploring psychological horror themes.
Poe, E. A. (1845). The Tell-Tale Heart.
Lovecraft, H. P. (1936). At the Mountains of Madness.
Kubrick, S. (1980). The Shining.
Polanski, R. (1968). Rosemary’s Baby.
Krasinski, J. (2018). A Quiet Place.
Peele, J. (2017). Get Out.
Kent, J. (2014). The Babadook.
Eggers, R. (2015). The Witch.
Mitchell, D. R. (2014). It Follows.
