In monster stories, the mystery around the monster's abilities and motives builds suspense. For instance, if it's a werewolf, you don't know exactly when it will transform. In home invasion stories, the lack of knowledge about the invaders' numbers and weapons adds to the suspense. You're constantly on edge, waiting for the next move.
It often uses the element of the home as a safe haven being violated. When the invaders enter the home, it shatters the sense of security. For example, in 'The Strangers', the fact that the couple thought they were safe in their own house but then were suddenly targeted by strangers creates immediate suspense.
In monster stories, transformation can be a theme. Sometimes the monster was once a human or can transform a human. In home invasion stories, the theme of the breakdown of security is important. It shows how something we take for granted, like the safety of our home, can be shattered in an instant.
Monster horror stories create fear through their ability to tap into our subconscious. We have inbuilt fears of the abnormal and the dangerous. When a story presents a monster that is not like any normal animal or human, it triggers that fear. For example, the shape - shifting monsters in 'The Thing' are terrifying because they can be anyone or anything. Also, the settings in monster horror stories play a role. A haunted house, like in 'The Amityville Horror', is a classic. It's a place where we expect safety, but when it's filled with a malevolent monster, it shatters that expectation and creates fear. The way the stories build suspense also adds to the fear. They might start with small, strange occurrences that gradually lead to the full revelation of the monster, keeping the audience on edge all the way.
Well, there was this case where an elderly couple had their home invaded. The invaders entered through an unlocked back door. They stole valuable items and also physically threatened the couple. The couple was too scared to move at first. In another instance, a family on vacation returned home to find that their house had been invaded while they were away. The burglars had taken electronics and some jewelry. These real home invasion stories show how important home security is.
One important step is to be aware of your surroundings. If you notice any suspicious people or activities near your home, report it to the police immediately. Additionally, don't advertise your absence from home. For instance, don't post on social media that you are going on a long vacation. Also, consider joining a neighborhood watch program. Neighbors can look out for each other and report any strange happenings.
Horror mysteries create suspense through their settings. For example, in a spooky old mansion like in 'The Haunting of Hill House', the creaky floors and dark corridors immediately make you feel on edge. The unknown also plays a big part. When the characters don't know what's causing the strange noises or disappearances, it makes the readers or viewers wonder and be in suspense.
Horror thriller stories create suspense by playing with the reader's or viewer's expectations. In 'It', the shape - shifting nature of the monster means you never really know what form it will take next. This uncertainty is what creates suspense. Also, the pacing of the story is important. A slow build - up, like in 'The Birds', where at first it's just a few strange bird behaviors and then it escalates into a full - blown attack, keeps the audience in a state of anticipation. And the use of unreliable narrators, like in some horror thrillers, can also add to the mystery and suspense.
They create suspense by delaying the reveal of the ghost. Instead of showing the ghost right away, the story builds up the tension. For example, there might be strange happenings like objects moving on their own, and the characters are trying to figure out what's going on. This makes the reader or listener eager to know if it's a ghost and when it will finally appear.
Time skip stories create suspense through the element of change. For instance, if a story is set in a small town and there's a time skip of several years, we don't know how the town has changed. Has it been hit by a disaster? Has it thrived? In addition, when it comes to characters' fates, if a character was in a race against time before the skip, after the skip we don't know if they won or lost. This uncertainty makes the story full of suspense.
Suspense in horror adventure stories is often created by setting. Take 'The Shining' for instance. The isolated hotel in the middle of the snow - covered mountains is a perfect backdrop for a sense of unease. The characters are cut off from the outside world, and as strange things start to happen, the reader is on edge. Also, the use of foreshadowing helps. In 'Dracula', the early mentions of the count's strange powers and the disappearances in the area foreshadow the horror to come.