PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR - A subgenre of horror fiction that relies on character fears, guilt, beliefs, and emotional instability to build tension and further the plot. Psychological horror creates discomfort in the viewer by exposing common or universal psychological vulnerabilities and fears, most notably the shadowy parts of the self most people repress or deny. Popular examples of psychological horror films include The Sixth Sense and The Blair Witch Project.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor