The great horror writer Stephen King once described three types of terror, elevating from the gross-out to horror to "the last and worse one: Terror, when you come home and notice everything you own had been taken away and replaced by an exact substitute. It's when the lights go out and you feel something behind you, you hear it, you feel its breath against your ear, but when you turn around, there's nothing there... "
The same description applies to movies, with many horror flicks relying on gross-out scenes and relatively few achieving King's definition of terror. More often than not, it's the movies that feature relatable characters and relatable fears that tear our guts out, with deeply-felt emotion that rings true and devastating.
The Babadook (2014)
Essie Davis must deal with her young son's often hysterical fear of a monster hiding under his bed, while also still grieving the unexpected loss of her husband. It's impossible not to sympathize with her as she is pushed to the breaking point.
Starry Eyes (2014)
Things are not going so well for Alex Essoe, an aspiring actress who is finding Hollywood to be a tough nut to crack. Her so-called friends are not supportive, either, so when opportunity knocks, she'll do anything to land a plum new role, no matter the hearbreaking costs.
The Conjuring (2013)
James Wan's ghost story takes on greater meaning because the large family that comes under attack is already plagued by problems they can barely control. The emotional range of the movie is enlarged thanks to the loving marriage of paranormal investigators Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.
Let Me In (2010)
Quiet and lonely young Kodi Smit-McPhee is bullied and badgered by bad kids at school, so the arrival of new neighbor Chloe Grace Moretz offers the welcome possibility of friendship. She too is quiet and appears lonely, but when her secrets are revealed it's even more devastating than her new friend could have imagined.
Poltergeist (1982)
The remake is a fun fright flick, but it also jettisons much of the original's setup, which allowed the audience to get to know the Freeling family, and thus feel greater empathy for them when the spooky stuff ratchets up to nail-biting, gut-busting tension.
