The sense of the uncanny. Many Japanese stories have elements that are just slightly off from normal life. Take 'Kuchisake - Onna' for instance. A woman asking if she's pretty in a menacing way is an abnormal situation. And when combined with the threat of harm if you don't answer correctly, it creates a high level of unease. The blurring of the lines between the living and the dead, like in 'Tomie' where she is both alive and has an otherworldly quality, is also a major factor in making these stories so terrifying.
The cultural context also adds to the scariness. Japanese culture has a long history of superstition and the belief in spirits. Stories are often set in traditional Japanese settings like old houses or shrines. In 'Ju - on: The Grudge', the haunted house with all its dark corners and the idea of a family's curse lingering there is really frightening. Also, the way the stories build suspense. They usually start slow, introducing strange events little by little until the full horror is revealed.
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.
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 unknown factor makes the scariest true stories terrifying. For example, in the case of the Bermuda Triangle disappearances, ships and planes vanishing without a trace. There's no clear explanation, which plays on our fear of the unknown. Another aspect is the violation of the normal and safe. When a family is haunted in their own home, like in the Amityville Horror, it shatters our sense of security at home.
The unknown factor makes them terrifying. In many of these stories, there are elements like ghosts or demons that we don't understand. We fear what we can't explain. For example, in a haunted house story, not knowing what is causing the strange noises or apparitions scares us.
What makes a scariest story terrifying is often the sense of the unknown. When there are elements in a story that we can't explain, like a strange noise in a haunted house with no obvious source, it sends shivers down our spines. It plays on our fears of the dark and the unseen.
These stories are scary for multiple reasons. In 'The Monkey's Paw', the unknown consequences of our wishes create a sense of dread. We are always afraid of getting what we want in a way that is far from what we expected. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', it's the inescapability of death. No matter how much we try to avoid it, it will find us. Also, in stories like 'Carmilla', the fear of the unknown and the supernatural elements are what make them terrifying.
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.