The key horror tip I’ve learned is that once the monster is revealed, the tension is cut. Basically, fear of the unknown (what could possibly be behind the basement door?) is stronger than most others (oh it’s an axe murderer) becuase once you know what you’re dealing with, you can plan for it. So creating psychological horror is building a lot of tension and “unknowns” when the monster is mental. Is the monster really there? Is that guy really out to get you? That kind of thing Answer from MadameHyde13 on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/horrorwriters › creating psychological horror in writing?
r/horrorwriters on Reddit: Creating Psychological Horror in Writing?
June 12, 2024 -
I'm writing a psychological horror story and want to make it truly unsettling. What are your tips for creating psychological horror?
Top answer 1 of 5
8
The key horror tip I’ve learned is that once the monster is revealed, the tension is cut. Basically, fear of the unknown (what could possibly be behind the basement door?) is stronger than most others (oh it’s an axe murderer) becuase once you know what you’re dealing with, you can plan for it. So creating psychological horror is building a lot of tension and “unknowns” when the monster is mental. Is the monster really there? Is that guy really out to get you? That kind of thing
2 of 5
6
Ask people you know what they are afraid of, and come up with unsettling ideas that you think would freak them out. For instance, how do you know that when you’re looking out your window at night that there isn’t someone looking back at you from the darkness? Play on people’s most basic fears, and turn those fears to the highest levels of imagination.
Fictionary
fictionary.co › home › 50 horror story ideas and scary writing prompts
50 Horror Story Ideas and Scary Writing Prompts | Fictionary
June 6, 2025 - Here’s the down-and-dirty guide to turning prompts into pulse-pounding horror stories: Embrace the “What if?” game. Take that starter and run with it. What if the creepy doll could talk? What if the ghost was actually trying to warn you? Let your imagination off the leash and see where it leads you. Know your scare style. Are you going for subtle creeps or full-on gore? Psychological mind-bends or supernatural spooks?
Videos
02:49
What Are Some Famous Psychological Horror Examples? - Literary ...
11:01
10 Seriously Messed Up Psychological Horror Movies - YouTube
19:11
Top 20 Greatest Psychological Horror Movies - YouTube
39:28
4 PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR STORIES | scary stories to hear in the dark ...
- YouTube
10:41
Top 10 Greatest Psychological Horror Movies - YouTube
Dabblewriter
dabblewriter.com › articles › horror-ideas
30 Downright Terrifying Horror Story Ideas
One of the most psychologically damaging things to read about is an act of violence or depravity that has no apparent motive. Why is the family being terrorized at their summer home by hooded killers? Simply because the killers can. I know that the supernatural and paranormal have bled into other ideas on this list, but that was more like flavor to the bigger subgenre theme.
The key horror tip I’ve learned is that once the monster is revealed, the tension is cut. Basically, fear of the unknown (what could possibly be behind the basement door?) is stronger than most others (oh it’s an axe murderer) becuase once you know what you’re dealing with, you can plan for it. So creating psychological horror is building a lot of tension and “unknowns” when the monster is mental. Is the monster really there? Is that guy really out to get you? That kind of thing Answer from MadameHyde13 on reddit.com
Domestika
domestika.org › en › blog › 10925-13-creative-writing-prompts-for-psychological-thrillers-and-horror
13 Creative Writing Prompts for Psychological Thrillers and Horror | Blog | Domestika
October 25, 2022 - 1. Master the tension and big reveals of horror writing for teens with this introductory course by Raquel Castro. 2. Character is key: learn about motivations, arcs, and more in this character development course by Mark Boutros. 3. To learn how to weave travel-inspired thriller narratives, discover Emily Barr’s course on psychological thrillers.
You Can Journal
youcanjournal.com › home › psychological horror writing prompts and story ideas
Psychological Horror Writing Prompts and Story Ideas
May 13, 2025 - Small towns are perfect for psychological horror. They often appear quaint and peaceful at first glance. Yet, under the surface, they can be full of dark secrets and hidden horrors. In a small town, everyone knows each other. This can make the fear feel more personal. The idea that your friendly neighbor might be hiding something sinister can be deeply unsettling.
The Horror Tree
horrortree.com › home › 5 steps to write the best psychological horror story
5 Steps to Write the Best Psychological Horror Story - The Horror Tree
February 11, 2022 - Edu jungles is an excellent place ... horror stories and essays. However, if you are trying to on your own, brainstorming is the first essential step. Brainstorming is when you note down all the ideas that pop into your mind and use them to develop a tremendous psychological horror ...
No Film School
nofilmschool.com › psychological-horror
A Genre Examination of Psychological Horror Movies and TV Shows
Once you have your idea for the film, build the characters. ... For this particular genre, I would advise also figuring out what's haunting this person. What's the real problem they have underneath the surface that they want to face? Then begin worldbuilding. What kind of place do these characters reside in? Is this a mental hospital or a secluded cabin or one of the many other locales where psychological horror happens?
Published September 17, 2024
Pinterest
pinterest.com › explore
Psychological Horror
A must-avoid list of horror tropes readers hate! ... By Reason of Insanity (David Brunelle Legal Thriller Series Book 3) - Kindle edition by Penner, Stephen. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading By Reason of Insanity (David Brunelle Legal Thriller Series Book 3). ... The Psychology of Fear: How to Use it in Your Horror Writing https://horrortree.com/the-psychology-of-fear-how-to-use-it-in-your-horror-writing/ #AmReading #AmWriting #WritersLife #bookworm #IndieWriter #IndieAuthors #horror #Book #Books
IMDb
imdb.com › interest › in0000114
Psychological Horror - IMDb
The psychological horror subgenre features psychological tension, fear, and suspense to evoke feelings of dread and unease in the audience. Rather than relying solely on graphic violence or jump scares, psychological horror focuses on the psychological and emotional experiences of characters, often exploring their inner fears, anxieties, and perceptions.
The Write Practice
thewritepractice.com › home › blog › 20 spine-tingling horror story prompts
20 Spine-tingling Horror Story Prompts
March 20, 2025 - She isn't the killer, but she has a terrifying idea of who might be. A police officer on terminal leave before retirement finds himself in a bar where he suddenly realizes the art on the walls shifts and reveals pictures of serial killers from the last twenty years. And his best friend and former partner, who is still on active duty, is there on the wall too. A grieving daughter revisits the libraries and locations where her famous horror writer mother penned her most famous works.