Is Horror Getting Smarter or Just Scarier?
- Renee
- Jul 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 23
From arthouse nightmares like Hereditary to crowd-pleasers like Smile, the modern horror genre has a foot in two worlds- elevated, character-driven stories and lean, mean scream machines. But are horror films actually getting smarter? Or are they just evolving with the culture?
Let's explore the shift and what it means for screenwriters.
The Rise of Elevated Horror
Elevated horror is a term often used— and sometimes misused —to describe films that blend genre with emotional depth or prestige aesthetics—think grief, trauma, and metaphorically heavy narratives.
For example, The Babadook, It Follows, The Witch, Midsommer, Saint Maud.
These films use horror to explore personal or societal issues while still delivering the chills. They're not "better" per se, just different. And they've helped critics and mainstream audiences take horror more seriously.
The Resurgence of Traditional Scares
At the same time, the genre hasn't lost its teeth. Franchises like The Conjuring, Insidious, and Terrifier 2 prove that there's still a massive appetite for supernatural scares, brutal gore, and formulaic thrills —when done right.
The lesson? A smart horror film doesn't have to be slow, and a scary one doesn't have to be shallow.
Horror Reflects the Culture
Today's horror is increasingly diverse, global, and socially aware. We're seeing more voices, more trauma-centered plots, and more anxiety-fueled worlds. That doesn't make horror smarter-but it does make it richer.
Audiences are asking new questions. Horror is answering them through folklore, tech fears, racial allegories, and emotional horror.
For Screenwriters, It's about Choice
Whether you're writing a slow-burn psychological piece or a creature-feature (one of my favorites) bloodbath, what matters is clarity of tone and intent. Don't chase trends- chase truth. The scariest horror is personal.
Write what frightens you, not what you think the market wants. Authenticity is what makes horror smart, scary-or both.
Final Thoughts
Horror is expanding, not splitting. The most innovative horror films don't just scare- they say something. But so do the fun ones. The key is choosing the kind of horror only you can write.
📄 Want to write smart horror that still terrifies? 🔐 Download my Scary but Smart Story Blueprint—a one-page guide for building elevated horror concepts with teeth. Available to paid subscribers now.