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Elements that create uncertainty and anticipation among the audience. Examples include unresolved plotlines or characters with concealed motives.

The building of an uneasy or threatening feeling through visuals, sounds, and pacing. Examples include dark lighting, eerie music, and lingering camera shots.

Showcases the grotesque or disturbing violation of the human body. Examples include grotesque mutations or dismemberments as seen in 'The Fly' or 'Saw'.

Centers on rural legends, folklore, and isolation, often involving pagan rituals or ancient curses. Examples include 'The Wicker Man' and 'Midsommar'.

Integrates extraterrestrial beings into the story, exploring the terror of the unknown. Examples include 'Alien' and 'The Thing'.

Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, this subgenre emphasizes the cosmic horror of the unknown and insignificance of humans. Examples include 'In the Mouth of Madness' and 'The Mist'.

Presents a collection of short horror stories within a single film. Examples include 'Creepshow' and 'V/H/S'.

A sudden unexpected event in a film that startles the audience. Examples include a monster suddenly appearing or a loud noise accompanying a surprise visual.

Music and sound design that elicit a sense of dread or anxiety. Examples include high-pitched strings in 'Psycho' iconic shower scene or the repetitive piano notes in 'Halloween'.

Characters are often cut off from the outside world or in a remote location. Examples include a stranded group in a cabin or an individual in a haunted house.

The narrative often involves characters trying to survive under dangerous circumstances. Examples include outlasting a zombie outbreak or evading a serial killer.

Horror films often focus on the experience of the victim. Examples include the use of first-person camera work to show the victim's point of view or hearing their internal thoughts.

Often there is a final confrontation between the remaining characters and the antagonist. Examples include the climax of 'Alien' where Ripley faces off against the Xenomorph.

Involves rituals, cults, or satanic elements as central plot points. Examples include 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'The Omen'.

Visual elements that are disturbing or shocking to the viewer. Examples include gore, distorted figures, or creepy landscapes.

A main antagonist that is often a source of fear and conflict. Examples include Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, or ghosts.

Characters encounter information or powers that are dangerous or taboo. Examples include occult books or cursed artifacts, as seen in 'The Ring' or 'Hellraiser'.

Focuses on a killer stalking and murdering a sequence of victims. Examples include iconic films like 'Friday the 13th' and 'Scream'.

Explores the mental states and perceptions of characters, often leading to a distorted reality. Examples include hallucinations or the protagonist questioning their sanity.

Involves phenomena beyond scientific explanation, such as ghosts, demons, or telekinesis. Examples include 'Poltergeist' or 'The Conjuring' series.

Incorporates macabre, decaying settings, supernatural beings, and intense emotions. Examples include settings like haunted mansions or eerie castles as in 'Crimson Peak' or 'Dracula'.

Horror films often twist everyday situations into terrifying experiences. Examples include home invasions ('The Strangers') or turning trusted figures (clowns in 'It') into sources of fear.

Utilizes shadows and darkness to create a sense of fear and concealment. Examples include dimly lit alleys or flickering lights in a haunted house.

Presents the film as if it were discovered recordings, creating a sense of realism and immediacy. Examples include 'The Blair Witch Project' and 'Paranormal Activity'.