Examine individual changes

''''Psychological horror''' is a [[genre|subgenre]] of [[horror fiction|horror]] and [[Psychological novel|psychological fiction]] that relies on mental, emotional and psychological [[Mental state|states]] to frighten, disturb, or unsettle readers, viewers, or players. The subgenre frequently overlaps with the related subgenre of [[psychological thriller]], and it often uses [[mystery fiction|mystery]] elements and characters with unstable, unreliable, or disturbed psychological states to enhance the [[suspense]], [[drama]], [[action (narrative)|action]] and horror of the setting and plot and to provide an overall unpleasant, unsettling, or distressing [[Mood (literature)|atmosphere]]. ==Characteristics== Psychological horror often 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 [[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. 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, [[Mental disorder|emotional disturbances]], and even [[hallucination]]s 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 viewers or readers 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]]. [[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. However, at times, the psychological horror and splatter subgenres overlap, such as in the French horror film ''[[High Tension]]''.<ref name="JOAP">{{cite journal |title=Psychoanalytic theory in times of terror |journal=Journal of Analytical Psychology |issue=48 |volume=4 |page=407 |date=September 2003}}</ref> == Books == The novel ''[[Silence of the Lambs (novel)|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]]'s [[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 == Psychological horror films generally differ from the [[horror film|traditional horror film]], where the source of the fear is typically something material, such as grotesque or horrifying creatures, [[monster]]s, [[serial killer]]s or [[Extraterrestrial life|aliens]],{{sfn|Hayward|2006|p=148}} as well as the [[splatter film]], 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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Skal |first=David J. |title=The Monster Show: A Cultural History of Horror |date=15 October 2001 |publisher=Macmillan |page=180 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xwlNnOxMt1gC&pg=PA180&lpg=PA180&dq=%22psychological+horror%22+film&source=bl&ots=YY4_ekXHDw&sig=rEK2aBBkpLYVz_6M0XIN7X277TY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gNpoUOLiBKyZiAezhYHgDw&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAjgo#v=onepage&q=%22psychological%20horror%22%20film&f=false |accessdate=1 October 2012 |isbn=0571199968}}</ref>{{sfn|Hayward|2006|p=148}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Strinati |first=Dominic |title=An Introduction to Studying Popular Culture |date=31 August 2000 |publisher=Routledge |page=90 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T4HqSHbXtMUC&pg=PA90&lpg=PA90&dq=%22psychological+horror%22+film&source=bl&ots=1GD-gRNshc&sig=2IdTy3HpoIG92pg0O6C_b1lyfzg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QddoUNzQKYmfiQes9oDoDw&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22psychological%20horror%22%20film&f=false |accessdate=1 October 2012 |isbn=0415157668}}</ref> [[Roman Polanski]] directed two films which are considered quintessential psychological horror: ''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]'' (1965) and ''[[Rosemary's Baby (film)|Rosemary's Baby]]'' (1968).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Browne |first1=Ray B. |last2=Browne |first2=Pat |title=The Guide to United States Popular Culture |date=15 June 2001 |publisher=Popular Press |page=411 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U3rJxPYT32MC&pg=PA411&lpg=PA411&dq=%22psychological+horror%22+film&source=bl&ots=opbm88BELR&sig=6_4Zs5Y41PGNy1Wld3nKIiBgoy8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gNpoUOLiBKyZiAezhYHgDw&ved=0CE8Q6AEwBTgo#v=onepage&q=%22psychological%20horror%22%20film&f=false |accessdate=1 October 2012 |isbn=0879728213}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Mazierska |first=Ewa |title=Roman Polanski: The Cinema of a Cultural Traveller |date=15 June 2007 |publisher=I.B.Taurus |page=89 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LH9mYBGgKb8C&pg=PA89&lpg=PA89&dq=%22psychological+horror%22+film&source=bl&ots=mlvkYuf2BD&sig=9bJ3fmNBFM1uvEcNZhre_93MiUQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rNpoUIb4DIWRigfC84DYDw&ved=0CE4Q6AEwBTgy#v=onepage&q=%22psychological%20horror%22%20film&f=false |accessdate=1 October 2012 |isbn=1845112970}}</ref> [[Nicolas Roeg]]'s ''[[Don't Look Now]]'' (1973), featuring a couple attempting to come to terms with the accidental death of their young daughter, is a notable film in the genre.<ref>{{cite news|title=Don't Look Now: No 3 best horror film of all time|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/22/dont-look-now-roeg-horror|publisher=The Guardian|date=25 October 2017}}</ref> [[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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kawin |first=Bruce F. |title=Horror and the Horror Film |date=25 June 2012 |publisher=Anthem Press |page=115 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r88NdErN1pkC&pg=PA115&lpg=PA115&dq=%22psychological+horror%22+film&source=bl&ots=cIqp8sPul_&sig=aLbJmDM7U8la_GMbE-2nTv9okPo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rNpoUIb4DIWRigfC84DYDw&ved=0CFQQ6AEwBjgy#v=onepage&q=%22psychological%20horror%22%20film&f=false |accessdate=1 October 2012 |isbn=0857284495}}</ref> ''[[The Changeling (1980 film)|The Changeling]]'' (1980) directed by Peter Medak is good example of a psychological haunting story. ''[[The Silence of the Lambs (film)|The Silence of the Lambs]]'' (1991) directed by Jonathan Demme is another example of psychological horror, whilst also incorporating elements of the [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] genre.<ref>{{cite web|title=THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS And Horror Aversion At The Oscars|url=http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2015/01/16/the-silence-of-the-lambs-and-horror-aversion-at-the-oscars|website=birthmoviesdeath.com|publisher=Britt Hayes|accessdate=2 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Top 10 Psychological Horror Movies - Alternative Reel|url=http://www.alternativereel.com/cult_movies/display_article.php?id=0000000011|website=Alternative Reel|publisher=Alternative Reel|accessdate=25 December 2015}}</ref> 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 [[Asia|Asian]] 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. == Video games == While [[video game genres]] are based upon their [[gameplay|game-play]] 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]]''.<ref name="History of Survival Horror">{{cite web|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/104/1040759p5.html|title=IGN Presents the History of Survival Horror|page=5|author=Fahs, Travis|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc|accessdate=9 June 2011}}</ref> Other psychological horror games include Doki Doki Literature Club!, ''[[Amnesia: The Dark Descent]]'', [[Outlast 2]] <ref>{{cite book|last1=Mortensen|first1=Torill Elvira|last2=Linderoth|first2=Jonas|last3=Brown|first3=Ashley ML|title=The Dark Side of Game Play: Controversial Issues in Playful Environments|date=June 5, 2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317574460|page=226|url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=rlDLCQAAQBAJ&dq=|accessdate=4 May 2017|language=en|chapter=14: Sonic Descents – Musical Dark Play in Survival and Psychological Horror}}</ref> [[Alien: Isolation|Alien Isolation]], <ref>{{cite web|last1=Hillier|first1=Brenna|title=Alien Isolation 2 rumour gently shot down, which is a bit of a bummer on Alien Day|url=http://www.vg247.com/2017/04/27/alien-isolation-2-rumour-gently-shot-down-which-is-a-bit-of-a-bummer-on-alien-day/|website=VG247|accessdate=4 May 2017|date=April 27, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Soma (video game)|Soma]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last1=Heaven|first1=Douglas|title=How the scariest video games use our own minds to terrify us|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn28375-how-the-scariest-video-games-use-our-own-minds-to-terrify-us/|website=New Scientist|accessdate=4 May 2017|date=October 21, 2015}}</ref> ''[[Manhunt (series)|Manhunt]]'',<ref>{{cite book|last1=Stoddart|first1=Scott F.|title=The New Western: Critical Essays on the Genre Since 9/11|date=February 16, 2016|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476624204|page=177|url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=L7WaCwAAQBAJ&dq|accessdate=4 May 2017|language=en|chapter=Reclaiming Past, Resisting Progression}}</ref> ''[[Ib (video game)|Ib]]'', ''[[Nocturne (video game)|Nocturne]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last1=Anson|first1=Jonathon|title=Obscure Video Game Frights|url=http://gamingillustrated.com/obscure-video-game-frights/|website=Gaming Illustrated|accessdate=5 May 2017|date=October 31, 2013}}</ref> ''[[Condemned: Criminal Origins]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nichols|first1=Josh|title=Retro Review – Condemned Criminal Origins: Did the Crows Stop Calling?|url=http://www.bagogames.com/retro-review-condemned-criminal-origins-crows-stop-calling/|website=BagoGames|accessdate=5 May 2017|date=October 7, 2016}}</ref> ''[[The Evil Within]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last1=Leack|first1=Jonathan|title=The Evil Within is the Most Underrated Survival Horror Game I've Played|url=http://www.craveonline.ca/site/829019-the-evil-within-most-underrated-survival-horror-game-played-xbox-one-ps4-assignment|website=Crave|accessdate=5 May 2017|date=March 6, 2015}}</ref> ''[[Alan Wake]]'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Alan Wake – A Psychological Action Thriller|url=http://www.remedygames.com/games/alanwake|website=Remedy|accessdate=5 May 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204083716/http://www.remedygames.com/games/alanwake|archivedate=4 February 2012}}</ref> ''[[Deadly Premonition]]'',<ref name="inversepsychological">{{cite web|last1=Kim|first1=Matt|title=Ranking The 10 Best Psychological Horror Games|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/15472-ranking-the-10-best-psychological-horror-games-from-amnesia-to-silent-hill-4|website=Inverse|accessdate=5 May 2017|date=May 11, 2016}}</ref> ''[[Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem]]'',<ref name="inversepsychological" /> ''[[Cry of Fear]]'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Cry of Fear|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/223710/Cry_of_Fear/?snr=1_7_15__13|website=Steam|publisher=Team Psykskallar|accessdate=5 May 2017|language=en|date=April 25, 2013}}</ref> ''[[The Suffering (video game)|The Suffering]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last1=Torres|first1=Ricardo|title=The Suffering Preview|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-suffering-preview/1100-6077966/|website=GameSpot|accessdate=5 May 2017|language=en|date=November 2, 2003}}</ref> ''[[Anna (video game)|Anna]]'',<ref>{{cite news|last1=Stevens|first1=Tiffany|title=Game On!: 'Anna' a horrifyingly frustrating psychological murder mystery|url=http://www.redandblack.com/variety/game-on-anna-a-horrifyingly-frustrating-psychological-murder-mystery/article_995e83fe-1587-11e2-ba22-0019bb30f31a.html|accessdate=5 May 2017|publisher=The Red and Black|date=October 14, 2012|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Lone Survivor (video game)|Lone Survivor]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Lone Survivor – The Director's Cut|url=http://www.lonesurvivor.co.uk/|publisher=Soul Brother and Soundless Mountain II|accessdate=5 May 2017}}</ref> and to some extent, ''[[Dark Souls]]'', ''[[Dead Space (series)|Dead Space]]'',<ref name="inversepsychological" /> ''[[F.E.A.R]]'', ''[[The Swapper]]''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilks|first1=Daniel|title=Review: The Swapper|url=https://www.pcauthority.com.au/review/391405,review-the-swapper.aspx|website=PC & Tech Authority|publisher=Hyper Magazine|accessdate=5 May 2017|date=August 26, 2014}}</ref> and ''[[The Last Door]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Katie|title=The Last Door: Season Two review - AdventureGamers.com|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/30347|website=Adventure Gamers|accessdate=5 May 2017|language=en|date=April 25, 2016}}</ref> == See also == * [[Psychological thriller]] * [[Psychological novel]] * [[Horror-of-personality]] * [[Giallo]] * [[Plot twist]] * [[Unreliable narrator]] *[[Existential dread]] *[[Existential despair]] *[[Existential nihilism]] *[[Absurdism]] *[[Lovecraftian horror]] *[[Cosmicism]] == References == {{reflist|30em}} ==Bibliography== * {{cite book |last=Hayward |first=Susan |title=Cinema Studies: The Key Concepts |date=12 April 2006 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OlPXsA-OBMAC&pg=PA184&lpg=PA184&dq=%22psychological+horror%22+film&source=bl&ots=Sc3d4JGepb&sig=hfuVsxawMFeHiGm36TAj2834ZU0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QddoUNzQKYmfiQes9oDoDw&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22psychological%20horror%22%20film&f=false |isbn=0415367816}} * {{cite book |last=Reid |first=Robin Anne |title=Women in Science Fiction and Fantasy: Overviews |year=2009 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jKr0jWY8FLkC&pg=RA1-PA163&lpg=RA1-PA163&dq=%22psychological+horror%22+film&source=bl&ots=boMbfSmGeR&sig=enbrTFQISq03r2bTaQTGG2X3-R8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gNpoUOLiBKyZiAezhYHgDw&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBDgo#v=onepage&q=%22psychological%20horror%22%20film&f=false |isbn=0313335915}} {{Horror fiction}} {{film genres}} [[Category:Film genres]] [[Category:Horror fiction]] [[Category:Horror genres]] [[Category:Psychological horror]] [[Category:Psychological horror films]] [[Category:Psychological fiction|Horror]] [[Category:Suspense]] [[Category:Thrillers]]'