Many of these stories play on our deepest fears. Fear of death, fear of the dark, fear of losing control. In 'Pet Sematary', the idea of bringing back the dead in a wrong and unnatural way taps into our fear of the unknown afterlife and the consequences of messing with nature. It makes us question what is right and wrong and what horrors could lie beyond our understanding.
The psychological aspect plays a huge role too. Take 'The Shining' for example. The main character's slow descent into madness and the way the hotel seems to feed on his weaknesses makes it terrifying. It's not just about ghosts but about the breakdown of the human mind under pressure.
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 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 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.
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 unknown. In these stories, often there are elements that are not fully understood. For example, a mysterious presence in an old attic. We don't know what it is exactly, but just the idea of something unknown being there is scary.
In 'The Exorcist', the realistic portrayal of demonic possession makes it so terrifying. The struggle between good and evil within a young girl's body is really disturbing. In 'Pet Sematary', the violation of the natural order of life and death is what makes it scary. And in 'It', the idea of an evil entity that can take different forms and prey on children is truly nightmarish.
The psychological aspect is a big part. These stories often mess with our minds. For example, 'Candle Cove' makes us wonder about the hidden and dark secrets behind something that's supposed to be innocent like a children's TV show. The sense of dread that builds up in these stories is also terrifying. In 'Smile Dog', just the idea that seeing a picture can bring misfortune is really spooky. And the characters in these stories like Ticci - Toby, who seem so unpredictable and violent, add to the overall terror.
In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', it's the narrator's psychological breakdown that scares. His obsession and the guilt that eventually consumes him are really terrifying. For 'The Monkey's Paw', the idea of getting what you wish for in the most horrible way is what makes it scary. You think you're getting something good but it turns into a nightmare.
The top 15 true scary stories are terrifying because they often involve the unknown. Like in some stories, there are unexplained phenomena such as strange noises or apparitions. Also, they play on our deepest fears, whether it's the fear of the dark, of being alone, or of something evil lurking. In addition, the real - life settings of these stories, like an ordinary house or a common forest, make it seem like these scary things could happen to anyone, anywhere.
The element of surprise plays a big role. In a lot of the top 100 most scary stories, there are sudden twists. Like in a story where a character thinks they are safe, but then something unexpected and terrifying happens. Also, the fear of death and the supernatural is often a key factor. Whether it's vampires that represent a perversion of life or ghosts that seem to be from beyond the grave, they all tap into our primal fears.