While the supernatural and otherworldly horror elements can no doubt be effective in movies like The Exorcist and It Follows, non-demonic horror movies that rely on more grounded stories can be equally terrifying. Horror movies with supernatural and paranormal elements can, in fact, be less genuinely frightening because the audience is aware that these supernatural threats are not real. Removing these elements can create horror movies with more plausible fears, adding a more unsettling feel for the viewer.
Monsters, zombies, and ghouls make for memorable horror movie villains, but sometimes, the scariest thing imaginable is another human being and the evil they are capable of. This phenomenon is especially true when these non-supernatural horror movies are inspired by true events, even if it is a loose interpretation, reminding the audience that such things really can happen. For those looking to escape the typical demonic threats of the genre, these horror movies offer something.
