What do you find scary?

I was thinking lately about some of the movies and novels I find particularly unnverving, or frightening. There aren’t too many. Whilst I enjoy horror as a whole, after many years of being exposed to all kinds of repulsive scenes and fear-inducing descriptions, I have to say I’ve become somewhat immune to the horror that the genre itself delivers.

That isn’t to say I don’t get scared – I do. I’ll often be the first to jump, screech out loud or hide behind a cushion. I can be a nervous viewer when the tension is just right, however I’m talking about a type of nervous fear, the kind that only a few books or movies can do to you. There’s been some real gems over the years, when I think back. The novel “Pet Cemetery” by Stephen King had me so nervous that I was often relucatant to turn the page. I didn’t even like reading it alone in the house! The movies ‘The Ring’ and ‘Insidious’ both unsettled and scared me. When the tension, atmosphere and believability is just right, the effects can  be far-reaching to an audience.

This had me thinking about some of the things I’ve watched recently which have had the perfect amount of creepiness and atmosphere. The first was a movie I came across online, called ‘Ju-On, White Ghost.’ Made shortly after The Grudge (which was a big success), this lesser known feature runs at just one hour, yet really packs a punch in the chills department. Scenes of insane grandparents, murderous boyfriends and possessed houses, Ju-On White Ghost literally made me scream out loud. If you’re interested, take a peek on You Tube, because the feature is on there. If you’re really after atmosphere, watch it late. Watch it loud. On your own.

Then there is the US series, A Haunting. I purchased the box set of this series some time ago. It’s a long series, with 26 episodes detailing so-called true-life accounts from across the States. I loved this series. Of couse, in a set with this many episodes, there are some that are better than others. The accounts themselves, the acting, the special-effects etc, do of course change from one episide to another, but there are definitely some strong stand-outs in this series. Two of my favourites were the episodes detailing the Haunting in Connecticut, and another episode entitled Hidden Treasure, starring wonderful actor Johnny Alonso. You can get sneak peaks and samples of either episode on You Tube too.

A Haunting is a US series exploring true-life encounters

All in all, it’s really hard to pin-point to why we find something thrilling or exciting. Some of you may find what I have mentioned really light, or easy viewing. I guess fear is as individual to us, as our fingerprints. There is something within each of us that bears a darkness, a place we don’t really like to touch or explore too deeply. With me, it is hauntings, spiritual wars, anything that explores darkness and evil within our lives, homes or bodies. I find that far more troubling than any violent movie.

Anyway, I’ve enjoyed this. If you have any recommendations for scary books or movies, I’d love to hear. Halloween is around the corner and I’m up for exposing myself to more!

Catch you soon,

Fiona.