ome of the most terrifying horror doesn’t come from monsters, but from the mind itself. When perception fractures and reality can’t be trusted, fear becomes inescapable.

The fear of being watched doesn’t need monsters or gore. It’s primal, psychological, and deeply unsettling, and horror has been exploiting it for decades.

Some horror films scare us. Others soothe us. Discover why “comfort horror” taps into predictable fear and emotional resonance—and why that’s good news for horror writers.