Did you know there's a word for live burial? Vivisepulture. Back in the Victorian era, this fear was so common that people would rig breathing tubes and bells in their coffins so they could alert others to the fact that they were buried alive. Books: "The Premature Burial" by Edgar Allan Poe isn't a novel, … Continue reading 31 days of Halloween, day 14: buried alive
Triskaidekaphobia is a fear of the number 13, which is perfect for today!
Okay, so these are not all about A.I. Some of these are more like "brain horror." All are terrifying to think about.
Demon possession is a staple of the horror genre. I stuck with the purest forms of possession for this list, but there are movies about possessed cars, dolls, and even hair extensions! Books: The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty is a classic, I couldn't leave it off the list! I personally liked the book better … Continue reading 31 days of Halloween, day 11: possession & exorcism
Retellings are always fun, and I love a fresh take on a classic horror story. Here are a few based on old-school classics and newer classics.
Cults inspire fear for those not in them, not because their beliefs are outside of the Judeo-Christian norm, but because of the extremeness of those beliefs, which can often lead to things like human sacrifice and self-sacrifice in the name of religion. And when those cults are also involved in Satanism or paganism, they become even more terrifying.
Let's face it: there's something inherently creepy about twins.
Western horror is largely about a fear of the unknown - being in uncharted territory, and about lawlessness - a land where the villains can rule.
One of the best things about horror is how self-referential it often is. Whether referring to classic horror, or to the tropes inherent in horror novels, the following books and movies break through the fourth wall as only horror can.
Haunted houses are a staple of Halloween. Almost every ghost story could be considered a haunted house story, and I love them all! I could have included about a million more books and movies on this list, but I managed to narrow it down to a handful that are truly all about the house.
