Another great one could be Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery'. It's a disturbing story set in a small town where an annual lottery is held, but instead of winning a prize, the 'winner' is stoned to death. It shows how blindly following tradition can lead to immoral and cruel acts.
Stephen King's 'Carrie' is also a top American horror story. It tells the story of a high - school girl with telekinetic powers who is bullied at school. Her revenge on those who wronged her during prom night is both terrifying and a comment on the consequences of bullying and social isolation.
One of the great ones is 'Lovecraft Country' by Matt Ruff. It combines horror with elements of racism and the African American experience in a very unique way. The story is filled with terrifying creatures and a sense of unease, all set against the backdrop of 1950s America.
I think weekends or late at night can be good. Weekends give you more leisure, and late at night adds to the creepy atmosphere. But it's really up to you and your preferences.
You can watch it on Hulu. They have a good collection of episodes and it's a popular streaming platform for this show.
American Horror Story is an anthology series where each season has a different self - contained horror story with a new setting, characters, and often a different time period. American Horror Stories, on the other hand, seems to be more of a collection of short horror tales that might be more self - contained within individual episodes. For example, in American Horror Story, a season could be centered around a haunted house, while American Horror Stories might have an episode just about a single spooky event or entity.
Stephen King has written many short horror stories as well. For example, 'Children of the Corn' which is set in a small Nebraska town where the children have been influenced by a malevolent entity. His stories are known for their vivid descriptions and ability to create a sense of dread.
One common theme is the supernatural. Ghosts, demons, and otherworldly creatures often play a big role. Another is psychological horror, like the fear of losing one's mind. Also, the idea of the 'evil within' a small town or community is quite prevalent.
Common themes include the idea of a cursed object. It could be a doll or an old piece of jewelry that brings misfortune to whoever possesses it. Serial killers are also a popular theme, as it taps into our fear of being hunted. There's often a sense of a small, vulnerable community being terrorized, like a small town being haunted by a mysterious presence. And the theme of the hidden past, where secrets from long ago resurface to haunt the present, is frequently explored in American horror stories.
Well, a frequent theme is the unknown in the woods. There are tales of strange creatures lurking in the forest, like Bigfoot - type beings or other unidentifiable monsters. Revenge is also a big one. A character who has been wronged in some way comes back to haunt or harm those who did them wrong. And then there's the possession theme, where a person's body is taken over by an evil spirit or force.
One of the main themes is the distortion of American ideals. It takes the concepts that Americans often hold dear, like the American Dream, and twists them into something nightmarish. There are also themes related to the abuse of power, whether it's within a family, a community, or a larger institution. This abuse of power then leads to all kinds of horror situations for the characters involved.
Some common themes include the power of the occult. Magic and dark rituals play a role in creating horror. The breakdown of society is another one. When the normal order of things is disrupted, it can lead to chaos and horror. And finally, the theme of the haunted place, like a spooky asylum or a cursed house, is a staple in American Horror Stories.