Horror Components by Benjamin Lee

Horror Components explores the captivating yet terrifying nature of horror narratives by dissecting the psychological mechanisms and structural elements that make them effective. It investigates how horror films trigger primal responses, exploiting vulnerabilities through suspense, surprise, and even disgust. The book also analyzes narrative components, such as plot development and character design, as crucial elements for creating lasting horror experiences. This book uniquely emphasizes the interplay between psychological principles and narrative strategies. It moves beyond cataloging horror tropes to explain why they are effective, providing valuable insights for writers. For example, the book looks at the uncanny valley and fear conditioning. The book progresses by first introducing the psychological foundations of horror, including the role of empathy. Then it delves into the structural elements of horror narratives, such as plot archetypes. Finally, it synthesizes these concepts, offering practical guidelines for crafting effective horror narratives and analyzing specific examples from film and television.