the scariest genre of horror

Out of all the movies genres out there (Action, Sci-Fi, Romance, Thriller) psychological horror has got be my favorite, and I am here to explain why it should be everyone's favorite and how underrated these movies actually are.

[@benzi4759]

“The Alien” from Annihilation by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow is the music playing in the background 👍🏻

[@jonathanmancuso3663]

uploaded 3 years ago, and your comment got pinned when it was posted 5 hours ago. that is odd to me.

[@palmbtree]

from my time, that comment was posted 9 hours ago, and the first reply was posted 3 hours ago, and 3²=9

[@jonathanmancuso3663]

@@palmbtree we’re in the same time zone. for me, the original comment was posted 10 hours ago now. living in a shitty town in texas.

[@BananaHoovyJ.Rabbit]

That movie has an amazing soundtrack

[@LuisSierra42]

I would recognize that song anywhere. The ending of Annihilation was probably the first time that my mind truly melt after watching a movie and I am a dedicated cinephile

[@pajchoking8388]

Psychological horror is literally a jumpscare but the jumpscare never happens and the tension and the rising up are in the whole movie.

[@Hypersteel-4340]

Monika from Doki Doki Literature Club: Am I a joke to you Me: Well Doki Doki Literature Club is one of the most popular visual novels that show how psychological horror works greatly.

[@annarose6575]

Yea lol

[@coffingxrl]

it’s the anxiety of thinking a jump is coming, but it never does

[@beenings213]

@@Hypersteel-4340 why are you subtitling yourself

[@Hypersteel-4340]

@@beenings213 WDYM?

[@audreyvandecauter7155]

I suffer from severe anxiety, and whenever my anxiety was so bad that I could barely function, I would immediately turn to horror. It was like retraining my mind, instead of feeling crippling "fear" over nothing in particular, the feeling would be associated with the horror movie, and once the movie finished, my anxiety would have disappeared too.

[@AW-hn6ro]

Fricking same, my anxiety is really bad so when I finish watching an horror movie I feel good like I completed something

[@SeaSerpentLevi]

Im kinda similar Only different because i actually fucking hate being scared so when i watch/listen/read something and it is scare focused horror i get angry instead of feeling better lol But when its a well written narrative its the same, by the end i'm feeling better and curious to theorize about stuff. I want to eventually write something. I tried but it sucked so hard i stsrted thinking what really scares me is how bad my own text can be 🤡

[@popeshabba4266]

Big brain move

[@TeamFriendship8600]

There's something cathartic about watching a horror movie and thinking "Well, at least I don't have it THAT bad."

[@0Exorcisms0]

SAME! I was born with Generalized Anxiety. Yet I’m fascinated with horror movies and paranormal things. Also disturbing things too. I don’t understand how it works- I’m scared of everything but the things people would say is scary 😟

[@LordGreninjack]

Ok that analogy using just a black screen was actually genius. Had me absolutely terrified.

[@iusedyourtowel6765]

I keep reading this same comment. Why not just shut off the TV and stare at the wall and imagine scary things? Frankly, I thought maybe my internet connection stopped working. That was as scary as it got for me.

[@RogueCowTurd]

i thought he forgot to splice in the relevant clip. he even goes on to say your mind gets bored so your imagination kicks in and im like yeah, i was bored, and i started imagining watching anything but this

[@Churros_are_Overrated]

@@RogueCowTurdI don’t think you got the point.

[@RogueCowTurd]

@@Churros_are_Overrated oh no i got the point, what the mind can conjure up and the fear of the unknown is more scary than the fear of the actual thing issue is you can only have so much build up with zero pay off before it becomes boring, predictable and ultimately a chore to sit through the comparison between literally nothing and the jump scare from insidious is also a poor attempt to show a point. through out the first insidious film tension has been growing throughout it until this point. go watch the full clip not just the final 2 seconds of it and realise how much tension is built up through the scene. the demon shows its face in the jump scare in the middle of the day, full lighting, with a sound cue to tell you somethings about to shock you and yet it still manages to do it. you do realise how hard it is to pull that off right?

[@Churros_are_Overrated]

@@RogueCowTurdyeah ok, also I think he was trying to make you think there was a clip coming and you tense up a little bit imagining what is to come. But I agree with the payoff it’s no fun to basically be blueballed by a movie and waste 2 hours. That’s why I usually watch the less good but more fun movies where the monster or whatever is very present in the movie because it’s more fun to watch a monster monster than build tension for hours and nothing

[@corps3punk]

Even as a kid, who was OBSESSED with psychology and horror, I’ve always held a deep seated love with Psychological Horror. Hereditary for example did a great job of making the viewer feel trapped yet intrigued in what was to happen next. The after effects...leaves an indelible mark on the brain (no pun intended lol)

[@Satanic_System]

Very true..

[@mhdfrb9971]

The best example of this genre in video games is the p.t silent hill and the Outlast series

[@lightskinmexican1517]

watch skinamarink all ima say

[@corps3punk]

@@lightskinmexican1517 BET!

[@lightskinmexican1517]

@@corps3punk lmk when u finish it :)

[@adamcupples8082]

I think the most unnerving thing about the babadook and hereditary is quite simple, there's no comfort, no happy lovely idealic family who slowly go insane, there's always tension, always drama and you actually feel uncomfortable

[@hellsbellas]

Especially the babadook, you really feel it

[@ptkelly80]

I loved the babadook until the reveal. It kind of ruined it for me.

[@NeoRichardBlake]

@@ptkelly80 I liked Babadook, but I had this feeling with Hereditary. It was suffocating and dread-filled and I was on edge for practically the entire movie, then when it came to reveal time I was left feeling "meh..." It was such a let down. Maybe a second watching would go better, but I doubt it.

[@elephorofonius]

it's like when you're at a sleepover with a friends and you hear or see arguments between them and their parent, like that uncomfortable sinking feeling where you don't know what to do

[@adamcupples8082]

@@elephorofonius exactly! I'm glad you all agree, for me the best scene in hereditary is when the dad is driving the son home after he smashed his own face in school, he stops the car and breaks down crying because he's so tired of his mess of a family, it's so unsettling

[@anna93171]

Florence Pugh's acting in Midsommar is some of the realest acting I've ever seen. The depiction of living with traumatic grief was spot on

[@BlowOnMyMagicFlute]

Swedish film?

[@clpprbrd]

@@BlowOnMyMagicFlute No, but the majority of the movie is based in Sweden.

[@awetistic5295]

Her entire performance is absolutely heartbreaking. You can tell she got so much in character that it took a toll on her.

[@hotmoms8951]

it's so raw, so refreshing from the pretty criers fr

[@damien1065]

I honestly struggled with empathizing with her. Idk why but I couldn’t. I felt bad for everyone around her

[@EncoreBetch]

Babadook was always a terrifying movie for me. I grew up with chronic paranoia, and still have it, and because the movie revolves around tension building up and just never ending, I stayed up at night just becoming insanely traumatized and anxious. Truly a scary movie when you have mental illnesses.

[@SourceAwareness]

So, you keep watching stuff that terrifies you, which only feeds the paranoia, and you blame this all on "mental illness," yet you are CHOOSING to watch this stuff, no one is forcing you. Yes, that makes lots of sense, LOL!! 😂😂

[@nicholasjones4499]

same dude, ever since ive watched the movie i cant forget it

[@SSchithFoo]

@@SourceAwareness Yeap that is how it goes LOL. There was some other guy in a comment section who is "neurodivergent" and got arrested for protesting and forgot the whole incident when police was questioning him coz he is"neurodivergent". of course the police didn't believe him. I mean why on earth would you put yourself up into situations like that if you have a mental condition that no one else understands?

[@dumbdannia6326]

Don't have chronic paranoia but I do have anxiety and I kinda felt that

[@LuciferMorningstar-zu1ud]

Honestly I found the film boring. Laughable actually. I legitimately laughed a few times. Hereditary has to be one of the most disturbing, truly soul crushing films ever filmed. All of the horrifying scenes really are horrifying, and felt so real. I felt the pain, the sadness and grief. Also, 2 million dollars for babadook?! And then saying that's impressive, really?! First off, much better films have been made for much cheaper price tag. 2 million is a lot! I'm sorry but I can only agree with some of what this guy said. Hereditary and Insidious yes.... Babadook? Laughable garbage. The Witch was phenomenal! Saw it 3 times in theaters I loved it so much. Midsommar was incredible as well.

[@punkrckr6889]

Your observation about the dinner scene in Hereditary is solid. A lot of horror movies try to make you feel something by suddenly popping a ghost on the screen, but for anyone who's ever had an interaction like that with their mom, Hereditary is gonna make you feel a whole lot more than a jumpscare ever will.

[@impcityangel3245]

The moment she went on about "I CREATED YOU!" and those other things, I felt upset and horrified, because I have experienced that once or twice.

[@hypnoteapot]

Charlie's death is definitely one of the most shocking scene I've ever seen... it really left a mark in me. And it was before the paranormal stuff even started 😅

[@user-zm3bc8ng6m]

@@hypnoteapot exactly bro I always think about that scene even years after watching it lol

[@privatechannel8462]

That was such a crap film, so dull not scary at all.

[@John-X]

I wish they would make a horror movie with those Unnerving Images creatures.

[@Luke101]

I will say, That Insidious jumpscare is probably one of the best ever done, and I hate jumpscares. It wasn’t cheap, it was completely out of nowhere, you had no idea what you just saw and you’re joining the other characters in their surprise and fear. Another great one that comes to mind is the lawnmower in Sinister, probably the best jumpscare of all time. I much prefer suspense and disturbing imagery, like Hereditary or the Babadook. But I think a perfected jumpscare can still be super effective

[@shubydoobydoo3212]

I remember not expecting it at all, there was just silence and talking and I think a big reason a lot of people didnt expect it was because of the fact that it took place in broad daylight, genius jumpscare

[@epiccrossoverboi8368]

There was a commercial where a car is being driven far away from the camera on a hill and then out of nowhere a zombie jumpscares you and it would be the cheapest shit ever if it was in a horror movie. Jumpscares CAN be good, it's just most people don't know good setups for them. It depends on the situation, timing, everything. It's practically like writing comedy but to scare someone. There's good jokes and cheap ones.

[@KenVie2000]

The original Alien movie used a couple jumpscares, and they were even fakeout jumpscares too. And I love Alien, kind of fits that psychological horror, for me at least.

[@Fullmetalnyuu0]

The show the haunting of hill house has some good jumpscares, but also one of my top favorites. It happens during an argument, where the tension is building one direction and then suddenly goes another.

[@CryingShayme]

I agree. I think a big problem jump scares can have is that they can become really predictable. In generic horror movies, I never really get scared because I can usually tell from camera angles, music and sound cues, and the pacing of the action when a jumpscare is coming up, and I can even usually predict when it's going to be a fake out. So that also means I know when I can feel safe. But when a jump scare happens without the cinematic cues, or happens contrary to them, that's when it can really get you. Because not only were you not expecting it, you no longer know for the rest of the movie when you are safe to let down your guard.

[@hypnoteapot]

Toni Colette is one the best actresses of her generation. Everything she touches is gold (about a boy, little miss sunshine, Hereditary). She needs more recognition.

[@MrsTessWren]

Love her so much! She’s phenomenal🖤

[@Shreya76541]

Hii ❤

[@linathin7461]

Muriel's Wedding!

[@octoberwoods]

The Sixth Sense!

[@MrsTessWren]

@@Shreya76541 hi!!🪷

[@mattbondcomposer]

3:39 I never noticed before, but the lamp and table shadow mimick the silhouette profile of the Babadook in the next shot. Perfect cinematography. Everything is designed to relate to the paranoia of the protagonist.

[@katelijnhovestad8382]

i double checked that because i really thought it was just my imagination seeing the likeliness of the babadook. now i realize the impact of that small silhoutette making you question your own thoughts. an amazing bit of filmmaking in an amazing movie.

[@gone7200]

People at university make jokes about how I don’t have emotions for not being scared at horror movies. It’s not because I’m “too brave” to be scared. It’s just that horror movies that depend on jump scares really can’t catch my attention. The type of horror that do really terrifies me are psychological horror, body horror and cosmic horror. If someone wants to scare me, they can’t do it via jump scares. This is why artists like Junji Ito are completely my favorite horror creators.

[@omdubey8340]

Jumpscares are literally the most mediocre kind of horror one can find like what a "Jumpscare movie" does can be simply done by spending 0 bucks and making a 30-40 second video with a Jumpscare and circulate it on the internet

[@andrewramlall3560]

Uzumaki still gives me chills thinking about it

[@randompromises1038]

i find that body horror that's genuinely painful (in a relatable painful sense, like closing the door on your hand) and psychological horror will always catch my attention than other forms of horror. i enjoy getting to think about how these people come to terms with the monsters within them are scarier than what they have to face.

[@mhdfrb9971]

From me, the best type of horror is the perfect mix of survival and psychological horror. Best example of this is the Outlast 2 video game

[@aeolian951]

Lucky you. I cannot be scared by any type of horror at all.

[@torytellstales]

I have to agree with using horror movies to calm you: If you're sad and you go to watch a romance movie, it will make you feel ten times worse afterwards because you'll wish you were that lucky person who gets someone If you watch a comedy movie when you're feeling sad, it may temporarily relieve your sadness but then you'll just bounce right back to sadness, action can have the same effect, being much worse because you'll wish you were a badass or you had a hero Horror movies actually make you see things could be much worse for you, and therefore can brighten you up

[@kiah9085]

And it’s cathartic. You allow yourself to feel bad for an hour without feeling dramatic or guilty or stupid, and feeling the emotion openly is so much better for you.

[@MineCrapSteve]

@@kiah9085 Exactly. It's so important to allow yourself to feel _every_ emotion in the human experience as it comes to you because repressing them has a profoundly negative effect on a person's mental health, yet society tells us that feeling anything other than happiness is a sign of "weakness" of some form or the other, thus making us feel worse about our emotions and forcing a lot of people to hide them.

[@gamerboy-lw3uf]

Cant agree more

[@meghansullivan6812]

@@MineCrapSteve yes!!!!

[@kyndallthomas7835]

not if you're aromantic

[@QuestNation3221]

This is why I personally love horror as it’s so subjective. What might scare one person, might not scare another. The most effective horror film in recent memory for me was The Babadook.

[@ZeroDim]

Which all the scares are just loud noises

[@Zipxa_Raya142]

I know right. As a person who does not ever in their life cry because of fiction, that scene when the child (I forgot his name) was screaming "Mom! Please, I love you!" Or something along the lines of that as his mom was being possessed I think, ACTUALLY made me cry.

[@nobodyimportant4778]

I like to imagine that either the babadook is a character made up by the kid who he attributes the behavior of his mother to in order to pretend she's innocent, or that the babadook actually comes to parents who regret parenthood and gives them what they secretly want.

[@samcyphers2902]

Theory: The movie takes place in the Harry Potter universe, and Babadook is a hybrid of a boggart and a dementor. That's why it wanted to feed off both fear and depression. The magic trick that Sam does at the end really is magic, and his wizard powers are only just starting to come out at his age.

[@user-burner]

​@@samcyphers2902really putting the pot in potterhead there

[@OfficiallyOfficial]

Holy crap I actually got so scared by a black screen... HOW!? HOW!????????!?!?!?

[@atekyl1266]

It got me too I think its the brain making making scary images and feelings

[@HPGamingReal]

Oh for me I was just looking at the reflection of the dark screen thinking wow this mans really roasted me 💀💀

[@tallos1340]

That's hella racist

[@OfficiallyOfficial]

@@tallos1340 damn guess I am racist now, sorry

[@pajchoking8388]

It's because your mind starts thinking there will be a jumpscare out of nowhere any moment now but it never happens and the tension just grows, making you anxious.

[@Tomarrak]

The feeling of Isolation is one of the scariest horror tropes. Smile and Get Out are good examples where the main character is made to believe it's all in their heads.

[@LucanoGaming]

Get Out is a masterpiece.

[@Tomarrak]

@@LucanoGaming certainly. Jordan Peele is brilliant. He dead pans serious characters in silly situations so well in key and Peele. No wonder he's excellent at stirring drama and compelling stories.

[@user-sd4hz1cl1s]

yessss!!!

[@tituslafrombois1164]

To anyone who loves psychological horror, I can't recommend Possession (1981) enough. Genuinely one of the most distressing films I've ever watched.

[@laubedunfou2848]

Absolute facts

[@Angers98]

I remember seeing The VVitch for the first time and just being amazed. I had never liked horror movies before, but this one stuck with me. And I would watch it again, and again, showing it to friends. After that, I had a new found appreciation for psychological horror - I loved Midsommar too, although I liked how The VVitch didn't rely on any gore, only some mild blood.

[@aleksanderolbrych9157]

To me Midsommar, as much as I loved the premise, had way too much of a slasher vibe after a certain point with characters getting killed off one by one etc.; it has amazing themes and ideas (possibly the most anthropological film I ever saw) but I like to talk about it more than I enjoy seeing it. VVitch never really crossess that line of silliness, it stays ambigious and unnerving to the very end and even then we're no longer sure what's real or not anymore.

[@fupamaster378]

why did you put two v’s instead of a W it’s not that hard to put a W

[@aleksanderolbrych9157]

@@fupamaster378 because that’s the original movie spelling wiseguy

[@zaynes5094]

@@aleksanderolbrych9157I would like to write and direct my own films someday down the road, as of right now I've been very focused on my job as a police officer in-training, but I'm still writing and still working on new books all the time, but someday I'd like to do what Eggers does with his stories. He's got an eye for details and it's mostly in the colors of the story. The vibrant colors of light and dark are always present to help the stories. Even in The Lighthouse, they are using different techniques there that I find so fascinating and fun to play around with. I also have some inspirations in things that Junji Ito's done and I love his style of horror as well.

[@plantlifeforever6994]

Omg I love that film so much, it's on par with the shining for me. The layers, the way you can watch it over and over and see a different story each time, or something you didn't notice before. Truly a masterpiece!

[@KMakoENVtuber]

That dinner scene in Hereditary, and the entire existence of Carrie’s mother really mess with me since I dealt with angry parents for the most of my childhood…nothing scares me more than an overbearing mother with a short fuse. Not demons, not a serial killer, not even the end of the world, scared me as much as my mother in a rage, taking my bedroom door off my hinges, just because I had a few C’s or D’s on a report card progress report.

[@monkeylover5386]

i’m pretty sure if you had a serial killer in your house then you would be a little more scared than a mom with a short fuse

[@averikwiatkowski2632]

carrie seriously isn’t talked about enough. that movie is so disturbing but so incredible.

[@FriezaSucks]

@@monkeylover5386 Goddamn can you fucking reddit "well ackshully" types just let a person vent their frustrations for once? You'd be surprised at how much you'd fear people with short fuses if running your mouth brought you more repercussions.

[@ni9etails]

​@@monkeylover5386 at least you have options against a serial killer, you only feel helpless against family.

[@wildfire9280]

She didn’t seem particularly villainous in that scene, watching it makes me feel sympathetic.

[@TischEnte]

He just explained the difference between horror and terror perfectly.

[@calidawg510]

I like gangster movies they make me just as nervous as horror movies and sad

[@gringo3002]

I'd have to say there isn't a clear line where one ends and the other begins.

[@tiairrascott7993]

I think the scariest movies give you that feeling of extreme discomfort almost to the point of feeling like you’re actually inside of the movie. Some movies that have made me feel this way are Hereditary of course, the Ring, One Missed Call, and Alex Garland’s Men. They are terrifying. Also, there’s a movie called the invitation (2015) that also gives that unsettled feeling because the main character spends the entirety of the movie at a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife thinking that something is off and he’s somehow in danger and in the end he’s right. His ex-wife planned to poison all guests and herself, and you feel this uneasiness whenever she’s on screen, but you don’t know why until the end. Very good slow burn film.

[@es1645]

I forgot about one missed call, the cover always freaked me out

[@detroitmarius]

The invitation was definitely a good film

[@elgoblino4578]

hereditary is one of the best horror movies ever made in my opinion, that feeling of dread is unmatched.

[@naomori4262]

So... Can y'all drop your fav psychological horrors? Edit: books, movies, and mangas

[@4Plus419]

It's gotta be either The Babadook or Hereditary for me

[@Polkavona]

House of Leaves is one of the best horror novels to ever read.

[@emotionaltimebomb418]

The earth is online. This is an amazing asian novel.

[@misty.cloudz125]

Layers of Fear

[@gloriatucker2925]

Hereditary for sure

[@FuckTheYoutubeUsernameChange]

I love when the monster or threat is directly tied to the struggles of the protagonist. The Babadook is specifically representative of the grief that is slowly eating up our main character. It's why I love Silent Hill and P.T. so much. Hereditary on the other hand reminds me of personal trauma far too much for me to ever be able to enjoy it. Even the mention of it makes me feel deeply uncomfortable and disturbed. Yes it's effective, but I will never watch it and avoid it where ever I can.

[@Impalingthorn]

Why P.T. specifically? Silent Hill 2-4 all deal with this exact concept but in far more terrifying ways. P.T. is a nice demo, don't get me wrong, but it is vague and the allusions being made are largely jabs at Kojima's relationship with Konami.

[@FuckTheYoutubeUsernameChange]

@@Impalingthorn I just listed it separately because P.T. wasn't an official Silent Hill game. it was supposed to be one, but alas

[@October666P]

@@Impalingthorn It's interesting you mention this. As someone who watched a playthrough of it without any background knowledge about what was going on with Kojima and Konami, it was fairly intriguing and I could still find themes independent of the developmental context.

[@skate6223]

The babadook terrified me for years

[@aliu292]

*Slight Spoilers for Hereditary* Hereditary was so good an effective at building trauma, regret, and shame for the first part of the movie, then middle part when devil magic got involved it lost me, but then it went to full over the top camp horror it got me back on board again.

[@AppleOfThineEye]

Thank you for showing The Babadook some love. It's such an underrated film. :)

[@literalghost]

I first saw Hereditary in theaters and it was a totally different experience, being in the dark and feeling so small during that family dinner scene. It had a very strong emotional impact on me, and it was a point where several people watching the film got up and left because it was so emotionally intense.

[@lawansasithorn]

when I say that psychological horror is the best genre. it's because psychological horror is the best genre.

[@B9-s3ns3]

I understand psychological horror but body horror will forever be the most terrifying for me

[@Jake-yz3qv]

The Thing is both and that's why its my favorite

[@dumbdannia6326]

​@@Jake-yz3qvsame

[@angelicgirl888]

To me it's a way for weirdos to get away with their weird f*tishes

[@yoboikamil525]

​@@angelicgirl888 I think that's the case sometimes but whenever it does happen, it makes the movie itself much better because the creator put way more effort and passion into it

[@b1tchb4by3]

@@angelicgirl888I have a mixed feeling with body horror in that regard. Yes, I’d be horrified at how the human body contorts in gruesome ways. Especially if it’s painful, something about turning into an elephant for an eternity or a giant maggot eating away at your insides will always scare me. But when it comes to fetishes, it’s usually tg tf or furry transformations. You already know this, but this is out of lust, to sexually gratify those who’re into it. Although it’s not as horrifying as the horror I mentioned above, I still feel this sense of disgust and shock. Like something I shouldn’t have found. Not sure about everyone, but turning into a sexy animal or the opposite gender spontaneously or even against my will would definitely be scarring for me. Sure, the process may not hurt (or even be pleasurable, I’ve unfortunately saw that a lot), but it still wouldn’t sit well with me.

[@Jacintojudio3478]

I came into heredity thinking it was your common exorcist type movie. The first two hours I did feel some type of tension but I was more pissed off that it wasn’t what I expected. Than the last part of the movie happened, and I’ve never felt anxiety or physical sickness like that from a movie before. It was truly a new experience and I actually welcomed it from then on.

[@sparda9060]

I think the final scene of the chase and the tree house is The Exorcist element in that movie. As horrific as it was, it was extremely unsettling.

[@kamiw5864]

This break down of the context of different horror styles was surprisingly therapeutic. Now I know why I’ve always loved horror movies.

[@_ozark5969]

Hereditary was the most incredibly crafted horror movie I have ever seen, Ari Aster did such a good job of directing and every singular detail was immaculate. It scared me so badly and is still the scariest movie I have ever seen, (Second being Sinister).

[@YourFavoriteCommie]

I couldn't disagree more. Hereditary had a really good setup and it was nice and creepy for a while, but it went totally Looney Toons with Charlie getting her head knocked off, Annie's friend making the chalkboard levitate, Peter screaming like an idiot in school and smacking his face on the desk, and Annie climbing around on the walls like Spiderman. It went way outside the realm of psychological horror and turned into cheap lazy supernatural ghost shit on par with Paranormal Activity.

[@nica7747]

@@YourFavoriteCommie SOOO AGREE

[@TheKiwibirder]

I thought it was awful…scary, yes. But absolutely disgusting in an evil, truly perverse kind of way. Makes you feel filthy for having seen it. Sick. Don’t recommend.

[@terro3842]

@@TheKiwibirder I felt like this after both Ari Aster movies. Also to some degree after VVitch. They make you feel perversely unholy and unclean. On the other hand Babadook is truly scary while also being beautiful in a way.

[@NeoRichardBlake]

@@YourFavoriteCommie Agreed. The build up was really good (the mood and sense of dread were so palpable), but then when it started "revealing" things it fell flat. I only saw it once, in the theater, but from what I recall I think I remember it loosing its sense of logical realism. Like it was all ultimately someone's "master plan," but that plan relied way too much on random chance to be able to be considered a plan. It really felt like horrible stuff happened and evil happened to win. No one could have accurately predicted or foreseen the outcome or certain events, so there was no way it could be a plan. Like Charlie getting her head knocked off. It was pretty random. If she hadn't gone to the party she had no business going to, or if her brother had been actually paying attention to his driving, it wouldn't have happened. It felt cheap and dumb when that was "planned" somehow. As I stated though, it's been quite a while since I've seen it, so maybe a second watch would show the pre-planning better, but I don't feel like it would.

[@wdks4847]

Yo forgot "Rosemary's Baby", one of the most important psychological horror movies ever made.

[@4Plus419]

Literally a fantastic movie

[@TCZ17090]

Rosemarys baby is one of the worst films ever made

[@wdks4847]

@@TCZ17090 If you don't like it I understand but that's the most important movie in the definition of the genre.

[@TCZ17090]

@@wdks4847 That doesn’t mean it’s good

[@wdks4847]

@@TCZ17090 Objectively it is good, its script is well done, everything in the film, it has a certain subjectivity that makes us doubt if everything seen on screen is real, the performances are good and it plays very well with psychological horror. It can be slow and old but it doesn't mean it's bad, you just didn't like it.

[@jamesflameson]

My go-to horror genre is lovecraftian horror (like Annihilation which is the source for the background song). My favorite attribute to that genre is that it is based upon the fear of the unknown. As humans we always desperately seek answers and truth to everything, and lovecraftian horror plays into that perfectly by not showing you the horror, but instead letting your mind fill in the unknown. Unfortunately making a good lovecraftian horror movie is incredibly difficult since the creature is never to be shown, because your mind creates the horror. Annahilation did it very well though, it's definitely worth a watch

[@LucanoGaming]

And there are great cosmic/lovecraftian horror films, some, much better than the crap Ari Ster produces. The Ritual, The Empty Man, The Void, heck, even Nope. And OF COURSE, John Carpenter's The Thing.

[@hiddehofland7629]

The Lighthouse comes to mind, agree?

[@shehreeze1022]

Absolutely agree. Love cosmic horror.

[@samcyphers2902]

Maybe check out 2017's The Endless, made by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson. My aunt used to be in a cult. The rest of the family visited her there once, and the cult in this movie looks EXACTLY like a real one.

[@sparda9060]

The Empty Man is so good. The opening is one of the best horror films. Another good Cosmic horror film. Some people say its slow and drags in the middle but the pacing isn't that bad as you get to know more about the story.

[@iusedyourtowel6765]

Why even watch a movie? Why not just stare at the wall and imagine scary things?

[@pawdre5151]

Midsommar, Hereditary, and Babadook are movies that have stayed with me past the screening. I haven’t been able to explain what or how I feel about it but I believe you summed it up perfectly.

[@spyciarz170]

I could recognize "Annihilation - Alien" the second it started playing in the beginning of the video. Why? It's a terrific (and terrifying) musical piece that has a special place in my head. It's haunting, profound, alien.

[@Terminal_Apotos]

I’ve been trying to find where that Sound came from for a while now lol

[@SJHartsfield]

SAME, what a great track from a spectacular score and film! And spot on in its usage here.

[@haydenericksen30]

Have been looking for this comment

[@bigbbyjesus]

Thank you! I was trying so hard to figure out what song was playing throughout the video

[@MineCrapSteve]

Thanks so much! "Duhhh duh duhhh duh duhhh scary music" was proving to be a fruitless search.

[@Tadesan]

The chairs stacked on the table in Poltergeist is my favorite psychological jump scare!

[@HelloEarthling]

With the first two minutes.... I've never had my feelings towards horror so perfectly put

[@runarhe5913]

The Shining is the shining example of psychological horror. There’s sooo much hidden behind it

[@MrNakedGuitarman]

Also gothic horror

[@aurin_komak]

You saw the opportunity and took it with that pun

[@ReinaLesbiana]

such as the horrible working conditions the crew went through, specially shelley duvall

[@LucasSantos-ss6ou]

​@@ReinaLesbianaworking with Stanley Kubrick was the real psychological horror 💀

[@jeffbenzos6344]

@@LucasSantos-ss6ou “hi I’m Shelly Duvall”

[@raghav9000]

I just loved it. Your definition of psychological horror is perfect. I too like the movies which don't depend on jumpscares to create horror. I believe true horror doesn't have any shape or colours. Something which doesn't have any form and comes up only in our feelings creates better horror. There are more movies like the machinist and shutter island which are also good. Take a like from me

[@jesses7244]

Your narrative structure was great, your voice is pleasing and fits the tone and your use of imagery was perfect. This is a great, relatable video and we thank you for sharing.

[@elidatboi12]

This just recently popped up in my recommended and I absolutely love this video, because it explains that to make a movie seriously scary, it should set an unsettling mood throughout the entire film without getting rid of the tension (using jumpscares and unnecessary loud noises). Hereditary is a movie that should always be brought up when it comes to very scary and unsettling horror films. Extremely well explained, I have to sub!

[@earlisonline]

The best psychological horror I’ve watched IMO is still Perfect Blue (Satoshi Kon, 1997). My head ached after watching that, and the elevator scene still haunts me up to this day

[@alisha5207]

Omg I love that movie so much! Really sad that a lot of people refuse to watch it because it's "anime and thats for children"

[@samcyphers2902]

Excuse me, who are you?

[@es1645]

Just watched that few nights ago, remember my dad mentioning it in the early 2000s and I was blown away. So scary and well done

[@bloodigit]

Wonderful video my friend! I loved the anaylsis and the way you broke this all down, please keep up the great work!

[@UncleDan_]

Only a few minutes in and your use of the Mindhunter ost is awakening those feelings I got when watching it, and makes me wanna rewatch for the fourth time or however many it is

[@HPGamingReal]

1:44 Wait... is this a roast (reflection of the black screen)? Or is this supposed to be scary? Because both are effective on playing with my emotions.

[@awkwardstudios1165]

I was confused about this too

[@LordZonar]

The scene that was meant to play wasd prolly copyrighted so he had to remove it

[@Ausles]

He probably roasted us lol

[@KSKY2012]

I know this is years old but I think the lack of anything is the scary part. like you're expecting something but it's just... nothing. Or it could be a roast lol

[@simplicitylost]

He literally says it’s supposed to be nothing like 2 seconds later.

[@bruhstoise]

hereditary played on so many elements to hit close to home. what really made it scary was afterwards, i felt like something like the events of the movie could happen to me. it made me feel vulnerable

[@EricaYE6]

What scared me about "Midsummer" (especially as a single woman) is the fact that it was a VERY attractive guy (nice, charming, everything) who led her to that awful cult/place. We gotta be careful trusting people just because they make us feel good when they're around. They might have "other" intentions, like grooming us for something twisted.

[@andresjaramillo2635]

I've always been an avid fan of psych horror and would often recommend all these movies you mentioned to people and see what they think considering the obscure nature of these films. Really well put of a video, appreciating what I consider true horror.

[@joh5646]

2:56 as soon as you said " one of my favourite shots in the movie would have to go to this one" an ad came on

[@urfavoritemary]

The babadook literally the one and only movie that I would never forget for giving me a panic attack for 1 week and anxiety to the point I could never sleep comfortably without over thinking 😑

[@mrquigg]

Same but then I watched it again and the ending sucked so so bad

[@thiagodelpeloso4329]

then why the fuck would people enjoy and look forward to watching it?? talk about masochism...

[@criminal2421]

i remember when i was young i called it the badoonka doonk women breast

[@papykillme]

Literally a kid show film

[@Isawtoilets24]

Shush woman

[@paulzander5192]

I had felt like I had gone numb and "seen it all" when it came to anything horror, but then I watched Hereditary and despite being with a bunch of friends watching it, it did something to the core of my being that truly horrified me for the first time in a long time. I think the way how it was directed and shot was how it gave me such an immense effect that nothing had done to me before. For that reason, it's one of the very few movies where I'll watch it once but never again. It affected me way more than the average person

[@mehya3266]

Yessss, I love that you mentioned The Babadook! One of my fave horror movies

[@crazesalts6720]

This channel is criminally underrated. Awesome video.

[@sexualtaco308]

With how much thought and work you put into your videos, you deserve so many more subs

[@_Devil]

The virgin "I want to put as many creepy monsters and jumpscares as possible within the 90 minute time slot" versus the chad "I'm gonna blue-ball you and have you on edge from start to finish"

[@fursuitjumpscare]

You worded everything so well, and I see we have something in common: We both love psychological horror. You got a sub, loved this video!

[@username4946]

My favourite psychological horror movie are The Others, Creep, Midsommar, Hereditary, The Witch, The Babadook, The Blair Witch Project, Psycho, Annihilation, Jacob's Ladder, Bug, Session 9, Phobia, Split, The Visit, Identity, 1408, The Shining, Secret Window, The Gift, Black Swan, Get Out, Us, We Need To Talk About Kevin, The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, Funny Games, The Orphanage, Repulsion, Don't Look Now, Misery, The Silence Of The Lambs, Eraserhead, Tesis, The Cell, Thoroughbreds, The Canal, Possum, Cam, Unsane, Magic(1978), Piercing(2018), The Tenant, The Blackcoat's Daughter, Daniel Isn't Real, Morrowbone, Coherence, The Innocence, Both Hush's, Shutter, The Unborn, Hide And Seek, and The Machinist. I suggest all of these

[@thegrimreaper6150]

Question, do any of them have gore? If so which ones

[@pajchoking8388]

@@thegrimreaper6150 nah psychological horror doesn't rely that much on gore, not at all, if not then maybe SOME of those movies might have gore but the whole point is the atmosphere.

[@Exkali5]

Hide & seek is like no other 👏🏾👏🏾

[@XaviHaunts]

Midsommar and the shining are few of my favorites

[@MirrorBusta2nd]

​@@thegrimreaper6150 Midsommar has some gore

[@helenacorrea6620]

Thank you for exposing the missing piece in why I turned out liking horror pyschological movies. They're clever and unconfortable, the terror it's up to you and your own hell and I like to see how I will deal with the experience after the movie is over

[@gunners-x-]

the way you're using the arrival tune in the background made me think that would be in the list. I've personally always put off watching midsummer because it looked lame? But, i will definitely give it a watch. good video, i'm in the same boat as you. these are my favorite type of movies too

[@nixace6030]

Just did a critique on this for my uni course! It was pretty hard to find any faults with your video though, it’s very well done. Keep it up 👍🏻

[@wesphillips8058]

I’m interested about the critique, is there a genre you prefer instead of it? I love movies, so if there’s a genre you think is worth checking out then I’d love to know.

[@citruscenturion]

I've never heard of this channel before, but I looked up "psychology video essay" and this was the first result. I am not disappointed whatsoever, and now you've gotta sub from me. Keep up the good work man, I'm looking forward to more of essays like this!

[@jarlwhiterun7478]

Who looks up essays? Go do an essay if that's what you want.

[@wonderwiseS2]

All my favorite horror movies in just 1 video? Thank you, and i agree, everything u said is on point.

[@Hcclhccl]

The Witch to me at least has always been one of the most underrated horror movies of all time. Happy to see it got at least a slight nod in an excellent film essay

[@160p2GHz]

Love that you used the music from Annihilation. I loved that movie, soundtrack, and the books are actually the most creeped out I've ever been while reading. I love cosmic horror even more than psychological horror (guess it's a subset really) and the series does it so well. You keep feeling like you're the outsider, the detective reader who is going to make sense of this and it just rips that away from you and makes it weirder. The first book is closest to the movie and there's a lot of eeriness and sort of unending uncertainty. My favorite line in any book is when after all this, the main character ends up in the lighthouse tower (spoiler not in movie ahead), and looks down into this hole and in true cosmic horror can't really make out what she's looking at. Usual poetic description of that and it's one of the creepiest moments in the book. BUT THEN the line "Do you?" Like the fuckin' author breaks the forth wall only once at this moment to force you to be there with the main character in this incredibly creepy moment. I just started tearing up from discomfort. I loved it.

[@cosmor7521]

I've had Major Depressive for ten years, now in remission, and psych thrillers were always like a C tier coping mechanism for me. Not particularly *healthy*, but it had been extremely cathartic to connect to something that felt the way I often felt: uneasy, tense, and often left, in the end, with those feelings completely unaddressed, still warm, pooling somewhere unpleasantly. That's the power of art, and why movies are important to life. Great video explaining these mechanics :)

[@noellutsey5620]

I noticed you have Annihilation music playing in the background sir. Very good choice as I absolutely love that movie's score. It's such an underrated movie!

[@miomiomio56]

I love your analysis of it, also made me feel validated in searching for more and more horrors and psychological horrors when I used to be at a peak of depression and anxiety. I wanted to somehow feel now alone in feeling scared I guess. I watched Midsommar high af and boy did it take me for a ride. I finished the movie traumatized and hated it initially but after mustering up enough will to rewatch it I absolutely loved it so much.

[@4Plus419]

Just wanted to pop in and say thank you to all of you for coming back and showing this video some love ❤ it's really mind blowing honestly! I hope you all are doing fantastic!

[@johngonzalez3634]

you make underrated work!

[@tedwood7560]

I just started watching 3 secounds after u commented on here

[@literallymyMovie]

This is a great video ngl

[@Minizu4]

Great video it's just that personally I find just simple eeriness such as a disturbing setting to be the most disturbing as the clips that you showed only gives an unsetting feeling that didn't last with me

[@nonnapapera69]

idk how the algorithm works but it worked. subbed.

[@scorpionabarth3340]

Love the Annihilation music in the background. Really adds to the subject.

[@Eileeleedon]

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who seeks out horror when I’m feeling down. I’ve been having a really rough month, and the amount of horror content I’ve consumed these past few weeks is insane XD

[@the_real_boogeyman]

My personal favorite type of horror movie is one that combines elements of psychological horror and standard horror. Imagine the typical psychological horror scene where it looks like the jumpscare is about to happen but doesn't, only for the jumpscare to happen just not when you expect it. For me, I get a better viewing experience out of action, but I also love the way psychological horror builds tension.

[@taylortimeless]

I love Ari Aster films. I notice their endings are quite similar though. Starts with the main character scared of a certain religion but at the end embraces it.

[@eddible544]

that scene at the dinner table from hereditary made me slam my laptop the first time I saw it, genuinely one of the freakiest movies I have ever seen.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

I once picked up the Babadook in a store since it was on sale and i loved the Mediabook release that was made to look like the book the mother reads to her child. I went into the film without any expectation and instantly loved the whole vibe & atmosphere of the film. If a movie does THAT right, then to me it works perfectly. Because otherwise it would be just a rollercoaster with occasional corkscrews and slopes that makes everything in between absolutely meaningless and forgettable. A films atmosphere has to spread across your mind to really make the whole movie experience become four dimensional and more immersive experience.

[@siggevibes]

This is so interesting, especially that of the camera linger in one spot to make the mind make up things on its own. Suspense is so cool.

[@camchem]

Psychological horror helped me nurture a love of all things horror. Helped me begin processing my own trauma. The Babadook scared me because I am terrified of passing along the same generational trauma that my parents gave to me.

[@chobe6982]

4:07 bro her face is the scariest part of the movie.

[@too-bright]

My two favorite Horror movies are Hereditary for the insane cinematography and unsettling nature of it.. and Babadook for being the only movie to ever truly give me anxiety long after i watched it. Something about the voice of the demon kept me up at night for weeks.

[@GreatOldOne9866]

*BaBaDook! Dook! DOOOOOOOOOK!*

[@cecilia8859]

immediate subscribe. love the format sm!

[@ItsKam]

The way I see it, the slasher/action/dark humor area of horror genres are best viewed with friends - when you can go "ooooh" and "aaah" and feed off each other's reactions. Psychological horror/suspense is best watched alone - where immersion can happen, and it can really get into your head.

[@Aarygon]

I get that the annihilation music as a background fits, but I can't help feeling it inappropriate... idk, probably just overthinking it. Loved the vid mate

[@gopats1464]

This video was so good. You are an excellent narrator and going over this content is truly fascinating. IDK why you don't have more subs. This is the first video I've seen by you and I'm instantly subbing. Thank you for the good video, and keep up the excellent production.

[@kitten-rl4ed]

I love the way that at the end of any good phycological horror story you can just peice it all together and you can just reenact the meme of the guy with the smile slowly turning to a frown

[@3phyr0s58]

It’s not just movies, a popular book that is a phycological horror is Killing Stalking. It handles abuse and mental illness well but it not just that. It’s also the atmosphere, while your reading your places in the main character,”yoonbum”s shoes, you always feel sick, paranoid, and tense. The feeling never goes away and it just builds and builds so no real release. It kind of fucks you up and it gives you a new view on things.

[@Satanic_System]

Truth honestly that was a good book.. generally with psycho logical horror books the smallest details slowly makes the tension rise through the book until the book/movie ends and you then slowly break down the emotions caused by that build up some things can be so subtle that it’s extremely difficult to notice. That’s my view on it, Personally..

[@jaycece1368]

I loved Killing Stalking for the fact that it genuinely had me terrified at some points, and that it truly made me sympathize with its characters

[@zacharywood9416]

Boring lol

[@thiskid990]

That comic is blatantly fetishistic with everything it portrays. I’m more horrified that people actually think it’s good material

[@lunes23]

@@thiskid990 I thought this comment was going to be interesting but then I read the words "Killing Stalking." That shit was not good in the slightest.

[@sprayz390]

thank you very very much! this will help a lot in writing my book!

[@bast1an943]

the thumbnail sent shivers down my spine by just remembering what happened in the babadook. such a great video keep it up

[@meowsav]

underrated channel

[@Big_Oosc]

Body horror is also just terrifying. I don’t mean something like someone getting their head cut off, (although that’s still scary), I mean things like the human centipede. That shit sat with me for like a month

[@_ee75]

awesome video, my start page algorithm finally is fire again!!! subbed instantly :D

[@hecarat]

Man, now I've gotta wait to watch the last two minutes because now ive gotta go watch The Witch. Damn you for being so compelling

[@EuphorixBeats]

I know it’s not a movie, but the game Omori beautifully does psychological horror by giving the main character a monster that represents his own trauma. Highly recommend

[@Alganaut]

the something aint scary bruh 💀goofy black blob with an eye

[@poppydawes9344]

This game was amazing!

[@kylesimone6140]

CLOSE

[@GlitchedBlox]

Goofy ahh game

[@squimwiggle5389]

Also the game was a musical masterpiece, every sound had so much attention to detail, and the way headspace distracted you from the plot was executed perfectly

[@sparrowequinox]

Both Hereditary and Midsommar are written and directed by Ari Astar who is amazing at psychological horror.

[@invertedbubble]

Very well put. Thanks for sharing!

[@SparkySteve.]

Your choices of movies here to make your points are outstanding Sir. There are certainly critics of all the films you've included here but in my opinion, Ari Asters two are masterful and I always thought the Witch was such a great horror. Most people I speak too hate Modsomnar and Witch but I really appreciate them. Thank you for this video

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Had a mild panic attack during the book reading part of The Babadook. That's when I knew I loved the movie. :)

[@GreatOldOne9866]

That was a great scene. As soon as she opened it, you hear the sounds of the insects, signifying that something ominous is happening. She closes it, the insects go silent. She reopens the book, the insects resume. Amazing sound design if you pay attention. Truly a creepy movie.

[@Anizen.]

great stuff man! I started recently watching horror the reason why I loved this genre is Mike Flanagan. He uses the horror genre like no one else. after watching all of his works I realized he is my favorite director. And the haunting of hill house was both his best work and my favorite show ever. any great recommendations in the horror genre would be appreciated.

[@roy.shrestha]

The Haunting series is one of the best things on Netflix. I am obsessed with Hill House and Bly Manor. Mike Flanagan is truly a legend

[@Anizen.]

@@roy.shrestha yeah the haunting of hill house is my favourite show ever I watched it 4 times already and the fifth will be before October. BTW did you watch any of Mike's movies

[@brookeg19]

I’ve gotta say, you’re an awesome youtuber