The complex characters and their relationships also contribute. Often, there are family secrets or betrayals that are at the heart of the horror. It's not just about some random spooky entity. It's about how these relationships are torn apart by the horror, like in 'A Tale of Two Sisters' where the family dynamic is deeply troubled and adds to the overall scariness.
The use of cultural elements. For example, in many Korean horror stories, they incorporate traditional beliefs like shamanism and the idea of vengeful spirits. These elements are deeply rooted in Korean culture and add an extra layer of authenticity and fear.
The unknown elements in 'the scariest horror story' often make it terrifying. It could be the appearance of a strange and menacing creature without any explanation. For example, a shadowy figure that lurks in the corners and seems to defy the laws of nature.
The brevity. They hit you with the horror quickly without giving you time to prepare. For example, 'The phone rang at 3 am. It was my dead sister's voice.' Just two sentences and it's already very scary.
The settings in these novels often play a huge role. For example, in 'The Shining', the Overlook Hotel is a character in itself. It's isolated, full of dark secrets and has a history of violence and death. This makes the characters' situation seem hopeless and the horror more intense. Also, the unknown elements like in 'It' with Pennywise's true form being a mystery most of the time, keep readers on edge.
Often, the scariest horror stories play on our deepest fears. In 'most scariest horror story', perhaps it's the sense of isolation. The main character might be all alone in a desolate place, with no one to turn to, and something evil is closing in. This feeling of helplessness is what amps up the terror.
The unknown factor makes scariest ghost stories so terrifying. Ghosts represent the unseen, something that defies our normal understanding of the world. We don't know what they are capable of or when they might appear. For example, in the story of the haunted mirror, you never know when a face might show up in it.
One thing that makes them scary is the sense of helplessness. In 'The Monkey's Paw', the characters can't control the outcomes of their wishes. The setting also plays a role. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', the enclosed abbey that is supposed to be a safe haven but is invaded by death creates a claustrophobic and terrifying feeling. Also, the moral ambiguity in some stories, like 'The Black Cat', where the protagonist's actions are both self - destructive and immoral, adds to the scariness.
The fear of the unknown. In these stories, things happen that can't be easily explained. It makes our minds race with all kinds of possibilities.
The build - up of suspense. The stories usually start slow, introducing normal situations like a family moving into a new home. But then, as time goes on, small, creepy things start to happen. For example, objects start disappearing, and then they hear footsteps when no one else is supposed to be in the house. This slow build - up makes it very terrifying. Also, the way the stories play on our deepest fears, such as the fear of the dark or the fear of being alone and helpless in a spooky situation. It makes the reader or listener really feel the horror.
The unknown factor. In scariest true stories, often there are things that can't be easily explained. Like in the Amityville case, the strange noises and apparitions have no clear scientific reason. It's this lack of understanding that sends shivers down our spines.
The use of the supernatural. In Japanese scary stories, things like ghosts, curses, and monsters are common. For example, in 'The Ring', Sadako's ability to come out of the TV through a cursed video is supernaturally terrifying. It plays on our fear of the unknown and the things we can't control.