Types of Horror

Supernatural

In Supernatural Horror, the author uses a fantastical creature, typically of a classic sort (i.e. vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons, zombies, etc.), like Gothic Horror the elements of occult are used to emphasize a particular human weakness or fear in a sort of morality play. This type of tale is similar to Dark Fantasy in its use of dark elements, but is intended to both frighten and caution. The classic ghost story is a well-established version of this horror type. Supernatural Horror has also been called “Supernatural Suspense.”

Several directions can be taken to tell a story of Supernatural Horror:

Horror-of-the-Demonic. The focus of a world where evil forces undermine good through the corruption of innocence—typically for some sort of vengeance on a Christian god. While a common theme in Western culture, Horror-of-the-Demonic was popularized in the late 1960s and early 1970s through such works as Rosemary’s Baby (1967) by Ira Levin and William Peter Blatty's the Exorcist (1971).

J-Horror. Japanese contributions to the horror genre focus on the psychological effects of the supernatural on people. Often using Yūrei, Japanese ghosts, in a watery motif or creatures of Japanese folklore, J-Horror tends to focus on misplaced vengeance and societal shame. This type of horror has been around as long as its Eurocentric cousin, beginning with Bancho Sarayashiki in 1741 (redeveloped by Okamoto Kido in 1916), continuing through the works of Koizumi Yakumo (1850-1904), and more recently Ring (2003) by Koji Suzuki. “K-Horror” uses similar motifs as J-Horror, but from a Korean perspective. J-Horror has also been called “Kaidan Horror,” “Katakana Houra,” or “Kowai Banashi.”

(Return to A History of Horror)
(Return to Types of Horror: Apocalyptic)