They create fear through their appearance. For example, a character with a disfigured face or blood - soaked clothes can be really scary. Their actions also matter. If a character moves in a jerky, unnatural way, it gives off a spooky vibe. Another way is through their voices. A hoarse, whispering voice can send shivers down your spine.
Well, first, the physical features of the characters play a big role. A character with long, sharp claws and glowing red eyes is immediately intimidating. Second, their behavior patterns. Characters that lurk in the shadows, waiting to pounce, are terrifying. Third, their motives. If a character's motive is to cause as much pain and suffering as possible without any clear reason, it makes them very scary. The combination of these elements in the characters makes the audience feel fear.
IT horror novels often create fear by using the unknown aspects of technology. For example, in 'It', the entity Pennywise can manipulate technology in the town, like making the sewers seem even more menacing, which scares readers as it's something that could potentially happen in real life.
Nosleep horror stories create fear through vivid descriptions. For example, they might describe a monster with 'glowing red eyes and razor - sharp teeth.' Just reading that makes you picture a terrifying creature.
They often use the unknown. For instance, in a sofi horror story, there could be a mysterious figure in the shadows. You don't know who or what it is, which makes it scary.
Suspense horror stories use several techniques to create fear. One is the use of atmosphere. Dark, gloomy settings like an old, abandoned mansion or a fog - covered cemetery immediately set a spooky mood. In 'Dracula', the Transylvanian castle is a perfect example. Another way is through unreliable narrators. When the person telling the story might be crazy or lying, like in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', it makes the reader question what's real and adds to the fear. And the element of isolation is important too. If the characters are alone in a scary place, like in 'The Shining' with the family in the isolated hotel, it amps up the fear factor.
Horror gothic novels create fear through various means. The atmosphere is crucial. They build an atmosphere of gloom and doom, with elements like mist, howling winds, and creaking doors. The use of foreshadowing also plays a big role. In 'Dracula', there are many hints about the vampire's arrival and his evil deeds before he actually shows up. The characters' psychological states are another factor. For instance, the madness that overcomes Dr. Jekyll as he transforms into Mr. Hyde is terrifying. And the way these novels often isolate their characters, whether in a remote castle or on a lonely island, makes the reader feel their vulnerability and thus heightens the sense of fear.
Wilderness horror novels create fear through isolation. When characters are alone in the vast wilderness, far from help, it amps up the tension. For example, in 'The Ruins', the characters are trapped in the jungle with no easy way out. Also, the unknown elements in the wilderness, like strange noises or unseen creatures, play a big role. In 'Annihilation', the Area X is full of things that are not clearly defined, making the reader feel uneasy.
Horror gothic stories create fear through their characters too. Creepy characters such as vampires, monsters, and deranged madmen are common. In 'Frankenstein', the monster is a terrifying creation that is both pitiable and frightening. The way these characters interact with the innocent protagonists makes the readers or viewers feel afraid. Also, the use of the supernatural elements, like ghosts and curses, adds to the sense of fear as they go against the laws of nature that we are used to.
They often create fear by having the cryptids be unknown and unpredictable. For example, a cryptid that can appear and disappear suddenly. It makes the reader constantly on edge.
They often play on our primal fears. In many cryptid horror novels, the creatures are a threat to our survival. In 'The Ruins', the plant - like cryptid slowly kills and tortures the characters. The isolation of the characters in the face of these cryptids also adds to the fear. When the characters are alone or in a small group, like in 'The Troop', it makes the threat seem more overwhelming.
Horror graphic novels create fear through their visuals. The detailed and often grotesque drawings can be quite shocking. For example, in 'Uzumaki', the distorted and spiraling images are disturbing to look at. They also use pacing. By slowly revealing the horror elements, like in 'The Walking Dead' where the threat of the zombies builds up gradually, it keeps the reader on edge.