Psychological horror
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| "I am not Simone Choule!"--Trelkovsky in ''[[The Tenant]]'' (1976) | "I am not Simone Choule!"--Trelkovsky in ''[[The Tenant]]'' (1976) | ||
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| - | '''"Psychological horror"''' is a subgenre of [[horror fiction]] that relies on character fears, guilt, beliefs, and emotional instability to build [[tension]] and further the plot. Psychological horror is different from the type of horror found in "[[splatter films]]," which derive their effects from gore and [[violence]], and from the sub-genre of [[horror-of-personality]], in which the object of horror does not look like a monstrous other, but rather a normal human being, whose horrific identity is often not revealed until the end of the work. Well-known examples of psychological fiction include ''[[The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari]]'' (1920) ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]'' (1960), ''[[Peeping Tom]]'' (1960), ''[[Repulsion]]'' (1965) and ''[[The Tenant]]'' (1976) . ''[[The Others (2001 film)|The Others]]'' is a more recent example of a psychological horror film. | + | {{Template}} |
| + | '''Psychological horror''' is a [[genre|subgenre]] of [[horror fiction|horror]] and [[psychological fiction]] with a particular focus on mental, emotional, and [[Mental state|psychological states]] to frighten, disturb, or unsettle its audience. The subgenre frequently overlaps with the related subgenre of [[psychological thriller]], and often uses [[mystery fiction|mystery]] elements and characters with unstable, unreliable, or disturbed psychological states to enhance the [[suspense]], [[drama]], [[action (narrative)|action]], and [[paranoia]] of the setting and plot and to provide an overall unpleasant, unsettling, or distressing [[Mood (literature)|atmosphere]]. | ||
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| + | Well-known examples of psychological fiction include ''[[The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari]]'' (1920) ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]'' (1960), ''[[Peeping Tom]]'' (1960), ''[[Repulsion]]'' (1965) and ''[[The Tenant]]'' (1976) . ''[[The Others (2001 film)|The Others]]'' is a more recent example of a psychological horror film. | ||
| ==Characteristics== | ==Characteristics== | ||
| - | Psychological horror aims to create discomfort by exposing common or universal psychological and emotional vulnerabilities and fears, such as the shadowy parts of the human psyche that most people repress or deny referred to in [[Jungian psychology]] as the [[Jungian archetypes|archetypal]] [[Shadow (psychology)|shadow]] characteristics: [[suspicion (emotion)|suspicion]], [[distrust]], [[self-doubt]] and [[paranoia]] of others, themselves and the world. Thus, elements of psychological horror focus on mental conflict. These become important as the characters face perverse situations, often involving the supernatural, immorality and conspiracies. While other horror media emphasize fantastical situations such as attacks by [[monster]]s, psychological horror tends to keep the monsters hidden and to involve situations more grounded in [[Realism (arts)|artistic realism]]. | + | Psychological horror usually aims to create discomfort or dread by exposing common or universal psychological and emotional vulnerabilities/fears and revealing the darker parts of the human psyche that most people may repress or deny. This idea is referred to in [[analytical psychology]] as the [[Jungian archetypes|archetypal]] [[Shadow (psychology)|shadow]] characteristics: [[suspicion (emotion)|suspicion]], [[distrust]], [[Doubt|self-doubt]], and [[paranoia]] of others, themselves, and the world. |
| - | [[Plot twists]] are an often used device. Characters commonly face internal battles with subconscious desires such as romantic lust and the desire for petty revenge. In contrast, [[splatter film|splatter fiction]] focuses on bizarre, alien evil to which the average viewer cannot easily relate. | + | The genre sometimes seeks to challenge or confuse the audience's grasp of the narrative or plot by focusing on characters who are themselves unsure of or doubting their own perceptions of reality or questioning their own [[sanity]]. Characters' [[perception]]s of their surroundings or situations may indeed be distorted or subject to [[delusion]]s, outside manipulation or [[gaslighting]] by other characters; [[Emotional trauma|emotional disturbance]]s or trauma; and even [[hallucination]]s or [[mental disorder]]s. In many cases, and in a similar way as the overlapping genre of [[psychological thriller]], psychological horror may deploy an [[unreliable narrator]] or imply that aspects of the story are being perceived inaccurately by a protagonist, thus confusing or unsettling the audience and setting up an ominous or disturbing overarching tone. In other cases, the narrator or protagonist may be reliable or ostensibly mentally stable but is placed in a situation involving another character or characters who are psychologically, mentally, or emotionally disturbed. Thus, elements of psychological horror focus on mental conflicts. These become important as the characters face perverse situations, sometimes involving the [[supernatural]], [[immorality]], [[murder]], and [[Conspiracy (criminal)|conspiracies]]. While other horror media emphasize fantastical situations such as attacks by [[monster]]s, psychological horror tends to keep the monsters hidden and to involve situations more grounded in [[Realism (arts)|artistic realism]]. |
| - | == Books == | + | [[Plot twist]]s are an often-used device. Characters commonly face internal battles with subconscious desires such as romantic lust and the desire for petty revenge. In contrast, [[splatter film|splatter fiction]] and [[monster movie]]s often focuses on a bizarre, alien evil to which the average viewer cannot easily relate. However, at times, the psychological horror and splatter subgenres overlap, such as in the French horror film ''[[High Tension]]''. |
| - | The novel ''[[Silence of the Lambs (novel)|Silence of the Lambs]]'' written by [[Thomas Harris]] and [[Stephen King]] novels such as ''[[Carrie (novel)|Carrie]]'', ''[[Misery (novel)|Misery]]'', and ''[[The Shining (novel)|The Shining]]'' are some examples of psychological horror | + | ==Novels== |
| + | The novels ''[[The Golem (Meyrink novel)|The Golem]]'' written by [[Gustav Meyrink]], ''[[The Silence of the Lambs (novel)|The Silence of the Lambs]]'' written by [[Thomas Harris]], Robert Bloch novels such as ''[[Psycho (novel)|Psycho]]'' and ''[[American Gothic (novel)|American Gothic]]'', [[Stephen King]] novels such as ''[[Carrie (novel)|Carrie]]'', ''[[Misery (novel)|Misery]]'', ''[[The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon]]'', ''[[The Shining (novel)|The Shining]]'', and [[Koji Suzuki (writer)|Koji Suzuki]]'s novel ''[[Ring (Suzuki novel)|Ring]]'' are some examples of psychological horror. [[Shirley Jackson]]'s ''[[We Have Always Lived in the Castle]]'' is often viewed as one of the best examples of psychological horror in fiction. | ||
| - | == Films == | + | ==Films== |
| - | Psychological horror films differ from the [[horror film|traditional horror film]], where the source of the fear is typically something material, such as creatures, monsters or aliens, as well as the [[splatter film]], which derives its effects from gore and graphic violence, in that tension is built through atmosphere, eerie sounds and exploitation of the viewer's and the character's psychological fears. | + | Psychological horror films generally differ from [[horror film|traditional horror film]]s, where the source of the fear is typically something material, such as grotesque or horrifying [[Creature (2011 film)|creatures]], [[monster]]s, [[serial killer]]s, or [[Extraterrestrial life|aliens]],{{sfn|Hayward|2006|p=148}} as well as the [[Splatter film|splatter]] and [[Slasher film|slasher]] film genres, which derives its frightening effects from gore and [[graphic violence]],{{sfn|Hayward|2006|p=148}} in that tension in psychological horror films is more frequently built through atmosphere, eerie sounds and exploitation of the viewer's and the character's psychological fears. Psychological horror films sometimes frighten or unsettle by relying on the viewer's or character's own imagination or the anticipation of a threat rather than an actual threat or a material source of fear portrayed onscreen. However, some psychological horror films may in fact contain a material or overt threat or a physical source of fear, as well as scenes of graphic gore or violence, yet still rely or focus mainly on atmosphere and the psychological, mental, and emotional states of the characters and viewers to frighten or disturb. For instance, some psychological horror films may portray psychotic murderers and scenes of graphic violence while still maintaining an atmosphere that focuses on either the villain's, protagonist's, or audience's psychological, mental, or emotional status. |
| - | ''[[The Black Cat (1934 film)|The Black Cat]]'' (1934) and ''[[Cat People (1942 film)|Cat People]]'' (1942) have been cited as early psychological horror films. | + | ''[[The Black Cat (1934 film)|The Black Cat]]'' (1934) and ''[[Cat People (1942 film)|Cat People]]'' (1942) have been cited as early psychological horror films. [[Roman Polanski]] directed two films which are considered quintessential psychological horror: ''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]'' (1965) and ''[[Rosemary's Baby (film)|Rosemary's Baby]]'' (1968). [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s 1980 film ''[[The Shining (film)|The Shining]]'', adapted from the aforementioned Stephen King novel, is another particularly well-known example of the genre. ''[[The Silence of the Lambs (film)|The Silence of the Lambs]]'' (1991) directed by [[Jonathan Demme]], as well as the animated film ''[[Perfect Blue]]'' (1997) directed by Satoshi Kon, are both notable examples of psychological horror, as on the surface they incorporate elements of the [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] genre. Recent English-language films in the genre include [[Darren Aronofsky|Darren Aronofsky's]] ''[[Black Swan (film)|Black Swan]]'' (2010), ''[[The Babadook]]'' (2014), ''[[It Follows]]'' (2015), [[Jordan Peele|Jordan Peele's]] ''[[Get Out]]'' (2017), ''[[Hereditary (film)|Hereditary]]'' (2018), ''[[The House That Jack Built (2018 film)|The House That Jack Built]]'' (2018), ''[[Midsommar (film)|Midsommar]]'' (2019), ''[[The Lighthouse (2019 film)|The Lighthouse]]'' (2019), and ''[[Saint Maud]]'' (2020). It is believed that ''Black Swan'' took visual and thematic cues from the earlier ''Perfect Blue.'' <!-- This is NOT a list, this is an article. Only the most relevant titles\examples should be mentioned. For more titles, see the Psychological Horror categories. --> |
| - | [[Roman Polanski]] directed two films which are considered quintessential psychological horror: ''[[Repulsion]]'' (1965) and ''[[Rosemary's Baby (film)|Rosemary's Baby]]''. [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s 1980 film ''[[The Shining (film)|The Shining]]'' is another particularly well-known example of the genre. ''The Changeling'' (1980) directed by Peter Medak is another good example of a psychological haunting story. | + | The [[Cinema of Italy|Italian film]] genre known as ''[[giallo]]'' often employs psychological horror or elements of the psychological horror subgenre. The subgenre is also a staple in [[Asia]]n countries. [[Japanese horror|Japanese horror films]], commonly referred to as "J-horror", have been noted to be generally of a psychological horror nature.{{sfn|Reid|2009|p=163}} Notable examples are ''[[Ring (film)|Ring]]'' (1998) and the [[Ju-On (franchise)|''Ju-On'' series]].{{sfn|Reid|2009|p=163}} Another influential category is the [[Korean horror|Korean horror films]], commonly referred to as "K-horror".{{sfn|Reid|2009|p=163}} Notable examples are ''[[A Tale of Two Sisters]]'' (2003), ''[[Hansel and Gretel (2007 film)|Hansel and Gretel]]'' (2007), and ''[[Whispering Corridors]]'' (1998).{{sfn|Reid|2009|p=163}} A landmark film from the Philippines, ''[[Kisapmata]]'' (1981), is an example of psychological horror. |
| - | [[Japanese horror|Japanese horror films]], commonly referred to as "J-horror", have been noted to be generally of a psychological horror nature. Notable examples are ''[[Ring (film)|Ring]]'' (1998) and the [[Ju-on (franchise)|''Ju-on'' series]]. | + | ==See also== |
| - | + | * [[Absurdism]] | |
| - | Another influential category is the [[Korean horror|Korean horror films]], commonly referred to as "K-horror". Notable examples are ''[[A Tale of Two Sisters]]'' (2003), ''[[Hansel and Gretel (2007 film)|Hansel and Gretel]]'' (2007) and ''[[Whispering Corridors]]'' (1998). | + | * [[Art horror]] |
| - | + | * [[Cliffhanger]] | |
| - | == Video games == | + | * [[Cosmicism]] |
| - | + | * [[Giallo]] | |
| - | While [[video game genres]] are based upon their [[gameplay]] content, psychological horror as narrative is used in some video games. A few successful video game franchises have spawned from using psychological horror as a main form of creating fear, the most well known being ''[[Silent Hill]]''. Other psychological horror games include ''[[Amnesia: The Dark Descent]]'', ''[[Manhunt (series)|Manhunt]]'', ''[[Nocturne (video game)|Nocturne]]'', ''[[Condemned: Criminal Origins]]'', ''[[LSD (video game)|LSD]]'', ''[[Alan Wake]]'', ''[[Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem]]'', ''[[F.E.A.R.]]'', ''[[SCP: Containment Breach]]'', ''[[The Suffering (video game)|The Suffering]]'', ''[[Anna (video game)|Anna]]'', ''[[Lone Survivor (video game)|Lone Survivor]]'', ''[[Five Nights at Freddy's]]'' (and it's upcoming sequel) and to some extent, ''[[BioShock]]'', ''[[Spec Ops: The Line]]'' and ''[[The Swapper]]''. | + | * [[Existentialism]] |
| - | + | * [[Existential crisis]] | |
| - | == See also == | + | * [[Existential nihilism]] |
| + | * [[Horror-of-personality]] | ||
| + | * [[Lovecraftian horror]] | ||
| + | * [[Plot twist]] | ||
| + | * [[Psychological fiction|Psychological novel]] | ||
| * [[Psychological thriller]] | * [[Psychological thriller]] | ||
| - | * [[Japanese horror]] | + | * [[Social thriller]] |
| - | * [[List of films featuring home invasions]] | + | * [[Unreliable narrator]] |
| - | + | ||
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Revision as of 21:04, 16 May 2021
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"I am not Simone Choule!"--Trelkovsky in The Tenant (1976) |
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Psychological horror is a subgenre of horror and psychological fiction with a particular focus on mental, emotional, and psychological states to frighten, disturb, or unsettle its audience. The subgenre frequently overlaps with the related subgenre of psychological thriller, and often uses mystery elements and characters with unstable, unreliable, or disturbed psychological states to enhance the suspense, drama, action, and paranoia of the setting and plot and to provide an overall unpleasant, unsettling, or distressing atmosphere.
Well-known examples of psychological fiction include The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) Psycho (1960), Peeping Tom (1960), Repulsion (1965) and The Tenant (1976) . The Others is a more recent example of a psychological horror film.
Contents |
Characteristics
Psychological horror usually aims to create discomfort or dread by exposing common or universal psychological and emotional vulnerabilities/fears and revealing the darker parts of the human psyche that most people may repress or deny. This idea is referred to in analytical psychology as the archetypal shadow characteristics: suspicion, distrust, self-doubt, and paranoia of others, themselves, and the world.
The genre sometimes seeks to challenge or confuse the audience's grasp of the narrative or plot by focusing on characters who are themselves unsure of or doubting their own perceptions of reality or questioning their own sanity. Characters' perceptions of their surroundings or situations may indeed be distorted or subject to delusions, outside manipulation or gaslighting by other characters; emotional disturbances or trauma; and even hallucinations or mental disorders. In many cases, and in a similar way as the overlapping genre of psychological thriller, psychological horror may deploy an unreliable narrator or imply that aspects of the story are being perceived inaccurately by a protagonist, thus confusing or unsettling the audience and setting up an ominous or disturbing overarching tone. In other cases, the narrator or protagonist may be reliable or ostensibly mentally stable but is placed in a situation involving another character or characters who are psychologically, mentally, or emotionally disturbed. Thus, elements of psychological horror focus on mental conflicts. These become important as the characters face perverse situations, sometimes involving the supernatural, immorality, murder, and conspiracies. While other horror media emphasize fantastical situations such as attacks by monsters, psychological horror tends to keep the monsters hidden and to involve situations more grounded in artistic realism.
Plot twists are an often-used device. Characters commonly face internal battles with subconscious desires such as romantic lust and the desire for petty revenge. In contrast, splatter fiction and monster movies often focuses on a bizarre, alien evil to which the average viewer cannot easily relate. However, at times, the psychological horror and splatter subgenres overlap, such as in the French horror film High Tension.
Novels
The novels The Golem written by Gustav Meyrink, The Silence of the Lambs written by Thomas Harris, Robert Bloch novels such as Psycho and American Gothic, Stephen King novels such as Carrie, Misery, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, The Shining, and Koji Suzuki's novel Ring are some examples of psychological horror. Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle is often viewed as one of the best examples of psychological horror in fiction.
Films
Psychological horror films generally differ from traditional horror films, where the source of the fear is typically something material, such as grotesque or horrifying creatures, monsters, serial killers, or aliens,Template:Sfn as well as the splatter and slasher film genres, which derives its frightening effects from gore and graphic violence,Template:Sfn in that tension in psychological horror films is more frequently built through atmosphere, eerie sounds and exploitation of the viewer's and the character's psychological fears. Psychological horror films sometimes frighten or unsettle by relying on the viewer's or character's own imagination or the anticipation of a threat rather than an actual threat or a material source of fear portrayed onscreen. However, some psychological horror films may in fact contain a material or overt threat or a physical source of fear, as well as scenes of graphic gore or violence, yet still rely or focus mainly on atmosphere and the psychological, mental, and emotional states of the characters and viewers to frighten or disturb. For instance, some psychological horror films may portray psychotic murderers and scenes of graphic violence while still maintaining an atmosphere that focuses on either the villain's, protagonist's, or audience's psychological, mental, or emotional status.
The Black Cat (1934) and Cat People (1942) have been cited as early psychological horror films. Roman Polanski directed two films which are considered quintessential psychological horror: Repulsion (1965) and Rosemary's Baby (1968). Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film The Shining, adapted from the aforementioned Stephen King novel, is another particularly well-known example of the genre. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) directed by Jonathan Demme, as well as the animated film Perfect Blue (1997) directed by Satoshi Kon, are both notable examples of psychological horror, as on the surface they incorporate elements of the thriller genre. Recent English-language films in the genre include Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan (2010), The Babadook (2014), It Follows (2015), Jordan Peele's Get Out (2017), Hereditary (2018), The House That Jack Built (2018), Midsommar (2019), The Lighthouse (2019), and Saint Maud (2020). It is believed that Black Swan took visual and thematic cues from the earlier Perfect Blue.
The Italian film genre known as giallo often employs psychological horror or elements of the psychological horror subgenre. The subgenre is also a staple in Asian countries. Japanese horror films, commonly referred to as "J-horror", have been noted to be generally of a psychological horror nature.Template:Sfn Notable examples are Ring (1998) and the Ju-On series.Template:Sfn Another influential category is the Korean horror films, commonly referred to as "K-horror".Template:Sfn Notable examples are A Tale of Two Sisters (2003), Hansel and Gretel (2007), and Whispering Corridors (1998).Template:Sfn A landmark film from the Philippines, Kisapmata (1981), is an example of psychological horror.
See also
- Absurdism
- Art horror
- Cliffhanger
- Cosmicism
- Giallo
- Existentialism
- Existential crisis
- Existential nihilism
- Horror-of-personality
- Lovecraftian horror
- Plot twist
- Psychological novel
- Psychological thriller
- Social thriller
- Unreliable narrator
