Horror fans!

[Steel Accord 6,660]

((Now right off the bat, this isn't strictly pony related but this is by far the most helpful online community, especially when it comes to creativity. So if this section is only for pony creations, move it as appropriate.))

 

I'm going to write a story and one of the major elements is commonalities within horror fiction. Now for those who are long time fans of the genre, I could use some help in defining some of the monsters I intend to create in the story.

 

There are many sub-genres within horror, and to reflect those there are many kinds of "monsters." Sure each tale tries to weave a specific and unique phantom to haunt the characters and the audience, but like any narrative there are archetypes that begin to emerge, intentionally or not.

 

How would you guys define the different kinds of sub-genres and monsters you see in your favorite horror movies, books, and games?

[MozillaToast 233]

I can think of three categories; Fiends, your average demon and or physical monster. Phantasms, ghosts, spectres and phantoms etc. and the undead, like ghouls abominations geists etc.

(Hope this is the kinda help you were looking for :/

Edited April 24, 2015 by Tempest Shift

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@,

 

It was exactly what I was looking for. Little sparse but I gotta start somewhere. Thanks.   

[MozillaToast 233]

No problem glad to help in what little ways I can

[Lucia 100]

Well, you've asked a pretty big question there, more like twenty. Horror has so many genres, and then separately, there are the monsters which isn't the same thing or interchangeable.

 

Genres and sub-genres include slasher, sci-fi, thriller, erotica, supernatural, witchcraft & devil work, urban legends, etc.

 

In a nutshell you've got:

 

Hauntings. ALA The Haunting, The Woman in Black, House on Haunted Hill, The Shining, Ghost Ship, The Conjuring, Dead Silence, The Abandoned, Poltergeist, Thir13en Ghosts, The Exorcist, Child's Play.

 

Body Horror: Narrowed down to sub-genres from Slasher to Science-Fiction, you've got abominations (manmade or supernatural) of mutated, disgusting entities. ALA The Fly, Event Horizon, John Carpenter's The Thing, The Hills Have Eyes, Dario Argento's Phenomena.

 

Splatterpunk: Horror that is geared for as much violence and blood as possible, otherwise known as torture porn or gorn. ALA Saw, The Hills Have Eyes, Prom Night, Evil Dead, My Bloody Valentine.

 

Creature Features: Animals, often real ones. ALA Anaconda, Cujo, The Breed, Willard, Ben, Jaws, Deep Blue Sea, Stephen King's Graveyard Shift.

 

Monsters: Paranormal, outer-space, supernatural or otherwordly creatures. Like Body Horror, this can encompass sub-genres. ALA Deep Rising, Stephen King's It, Silent Hill, Resident Evil, The Cabin in the Woods, In the Mouth of Madness, Men in Black, Dead Birds, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, ALIEN, Prometheus, American Werewolf in Paris/London, The Wolfman.

 

Zombies: Speaks for itself. ALA Night of the Living Dead, The Walking Dead, 28 Days/Weeks Later, Strigoli.

 

And many more! It's best to look a a horror wikia to learn the full details. I am a passionate horror aficionado

Edited April 25, 2015 by Lucia

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

Well, you've asked a pretty big question there, more like twenty. Horror has so many genres, and then separately, there are the monsters which isn't the same thing or interchangeable.

 

Forgive me for my lack of sophistication, that's why I'm seeking help in trying to adapt a story from an umbrella genre I have less exposure to. 

 

Your list though, is quite comprehensive and could prove quite useful to me. Thank you so very much.

[Lucia 100]

Forgive me for my lack of sophistication, that's why I'm seeking help in trying to adapt a story from an umbrella genre I have less exposure to. 

 

Your list though, is quite comprehensive and could prove quite useful to me. Thank you so very much.

You are welcome Feel free to ask any more questions!

[Steel Accord 6,660]

You are welcome Feel free to ask any more questions!

 

Okay, I will.

 

I was thinking something along the lines of classifying the monsters that appear in the story. One such group would be "slashers" these are your Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and your Screams. More or less mortal or at least corporeal killers.

 

Then you have your Spectres, ghosts or demons that can't be hurt physically but usually have some kind of weakness such as to light or certain objects or wards. Your Pazuzus or your (Darkness Falls) Tooth Fairy.

 

Having some trouble beyond that although your above list might provide some more ideas with time. Just as it stands though, would those two categories fit horror antagonist archetypes or do they require adjustment?

[Lucia 100]

Okay, I will.

 

I was thinking something along the lines of classifying the monsters that appear in the story. One such group would be "slashers" these are your Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and your Screams. More or less mortal or at least corporeal killers.

 

Then you have your Spectres, ghosts or demons that can't be hurt physically but usually have some kind of weakness such as to light or certain objects or wards. Your Pazuzus or your (Darkness Falls) Tooth Fairy.

 

Having some trouble beyond that although your above list might provide some more ideas with time. Just as it stands though, would those two categories fit horror antagonist archetypes or do they require adjustment?

Nope, what you've got is all good! I think though the Tooth Fairy, like with other characters like the Boogeyman is leaning more towards urban legends or monsters, but its also hard to picture them next to completely made up figures like Jeepers Creepers monster or Lipstick Demon. I think they have their own group but right now I can't remember what they are. Might be too micromanagey, so probably best to label them under Ghosts & Demons.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Nope, what you've got is all good! I think though the Tooth Fairy, like with other characters like the Boogeyman is leaning more towards urban legends or monsters, but its also hard to picture them next to completely made up figures like Jeepers Creepers monster or Lipstick Demon. I think they have their own group but right now I can't remember what they are. Might be too micromanagey, so probably best to label them under Ghosts & Demons.

 

No please be so! That's why I created this thread. I am decidedly not a fan of the horror genre, so I need all the help I can get with this story concept.

 

So "public domain" threats like the Jersey Devil, or the Boogeyman should be treated as separate? That makes sense. Their fear comes from reputation, people more or less know of these things that go bump in the night. Whereas original horror creatures are preying at least partially on the fear of the unknown.

[Lucia 100]

No please be so! That's why I created this thread. I am decidedly not a fan of the horror genre, so I need all the help I can get with this story concept.

 

So "public domain" threats like the Jersey Devil, or the Boogeyman should be treated as separate? That makes sense. Their fear comes from reputation, people more or less know of these things that go bump in the night. Whereas original horror creatures are preying at least partially on the fear of the unknown.

This is getting dificult because some beasties can easily fit in two or more categories.

 

These sites will certainly help you:

http://www.horroronscreen.com/wiki-horror/horror-genres/

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Horror_genres

[Steel Accord 6,660]

This is getting dificult because some beasties can easily fit in two or more categories.

 

These sites will certainly help you:

http://www.horroronscreen.com/wiki-horror/horror-genres/

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Horror_genres

 

I'm sorry. I don't mean to be difficult.

[Lucia 100]

I'm sorry. I don't mean to be difficult.

Oh no, I didn't mean it that way! I just meant that trying to pinpoint monster genres is hard because the top level genre explodes into many; body horror, demons, monsters, neo monsters, ghosts, occult, sci-fi, etc. So Lipstick Demon is Possession & Neo, when Tooth Fairy is Demon or Urban Legend, and then our minds are blown.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I get it. If it helps narrow things down, I'm more limiting it to the explicitly supernatural, nature, and human horrors. The entire realm of sci-fi is beyond what I'm willing to work into my mythology.

 

If I might be perfectly honest, my story might not be one you approve of, being such an avid fan of the genre. As my story is about the protagonists essentially spitting in the face of the very concept of horror.

 

That's why I'm trying to classify all of the monsters into general archetypes, I'm essentially dissecting them to figure out how best to kill them.