The relatable characters. Maxmello creates characters that we can identify with, like the curious teenagers or the innocent little girl. When these normal people are thrust into terrifying situations, it makes the horror more real and palpable. We can imagine ourselves in their shoes, which makes the stories all the more frightening.
One of the scariest stories from Maxmello could be about a haunted house. There was an old, dilapidated mansion on the outskirts of town. People who passed by at night often heard strange noises, like the wailing of a lost soul. Legend had it that a family was brutally murdered there decades ago, and their spirits still roamed the halls, seeking vengeance. Once, a group of teenagers decided to explore it. As they entered, the air grew cold, and they felt an unseen presence. Doors creaked open and shut on their own, and they saw shadowy figures moving in the corners. Terrified, they ran out as fast as they could.
The unknown elements often make them scary. When details are left to the imagination, our minds can create the most horrifying scenarios.
The number 666 is often associated with the devil in many cultures. So, when it's part of a story, it immediately gives a sense of the presence of evil. For example, if a story involves a place marked with 666, our minds automatically think of it as a cursed or haunted location.
The unknown element makes them scary. In really terrifying stories, often there are things that are not fully explained. For example, in a story about a haunted doll, we don't really know how it can move on its own or why it seems to have a malevolent presence. It's this mystery that sends chills down our spines.
The use of the supernatural is a big factor. There are ghosts, curses, and otherworldly creatures. These things go against the normal laws of nature that we are used to. When a character in the story is haunted by a vengeful spirit that can pass through walls and cause harm, it sends shivers down our spines. The story about the poltergeist that throws things around and terrifies a family is a great example of how the supernatural creates fear.
The element of the unknown. For example, in many of the stories, there are unexplained noises or figures. We don't know what they are or what they want, and that scares us.
The unknown factor makes real scary ghost stories terrifying. We don't know if ghosts truly exist, but the idea of something beyond our understanding and control lurking in the shadows is spooky. For example, in a story where a ghost haunts a house, we can't see it clearly, and we don't know what it wants or how to make it go away.
Well, for me, what makes a scary story really terrifying is when it plays on our deepest fears. Like the fear of death or the loss of a loved one. Stories that involve a loved one turning into something evil or being in danger are often very scary. And the atmosphere is crucial too. If the story can create a really creepy atmosphere, like a fog - filled graveyard at midnight, it'll be terrifying.
The characters in Jordan Peele's scary stories contribute to the terror. He creates complex characters that you start to care about, and then he puts them in these horrible situations. You feel for them as they face the unknown and the terrifying things that are happening to them, which amps up the overall scariness.
Javier Botet is also great at using body language. He can move in very slow and deliberate ways that create a sense of dread. In his scary stories, this movement makes his character seem like it's stalking or preying on the victims. His ability to contort his body adds to the horror, as if his character is not bound by the normal rules of the human form.