What are the scariest elements in horror stories based on a true story?

A very frightening one is 'The Mothman Prophecies'. It's inspired by the sightings of the Mothman in Point Pleasant. The strange entity and the events that followed in the story are enough to give you goosebumps, especially when you think about the real reports that might have led to this story.

For me, 'The Blair Witch Project' is extremely scary. It was made to look like real - life footage of people lost in the woods where a witch is said to haunt. The sense of being lost and the unknown lurking in the forest is really frightening.

The sense of helplessness. When people in these true stories are faced with a malevolent force, they often can't do much to stop it. Like in the case of some possessions, the victims seem powerless against the entity that has taken over them. It's a very scary thought that we might be at the mercy of something we can't understand or control.

Real - life connections can be very scary. For instance, if a true horror story involves something that could happen to anyone, like being harassed by an unknown person on the road or in your own living space. It hits closer to home and makes the horror more palpable. We all like to feel safe in our daily lives, and when that safety is threatened in a real - life way, it's a truly horrifying experience.

One element is the element of the unknown. For example, in stories where there are unexplained noises or apparitions, not knowing what is causing them is what scares people. It plays on our natural fear of the unknown.

Well, 'The Blair Witch Project' is also a horror flick based on true story. It uses the found - footage style to great effect. The idea of being lost in the woods and something unknown chasing you is very frightening. The movie builds up the tension slowly but surely, and by the end, you're really spooked.

One of the scariest elements is the psychological aspect. In true - story - based horror, there are often real - life traumas and fears involved. For instance, in 'The Exorcist', the idea of a child being possessed by a demon was not just a spooky concept but was based on the beliefs and experiences of some people. This psychological depth makes it scarier because it can tap into our own deep - seated fears about the unknown, the power of the supernatural, and the vulnerability of the human mind and body.

The fact that they are based on true stories makes them scarier. For example, in games like 'Outlast', the real - world inspiration of inhumane experiments in asylums makes it more terrifying. You know that such things could have actually happened. Another aspect is the authenticity of the settings. If it's based on a real - abandoned building or location, it adds to the spookiness.

I think 'The Exorcist' is extremely scary. The idea of a child being possessed by a demon is just terrifying, and the fact that it's based on a real case makes it even more so. The special effects for the time were very effective in creating a disturbing and spooky atmosphere.

The sense of helplessness. In the hospital story, the nurse couldn't do much about the strange apparitions she saw. She was in a place she was supposed to be in control (her workplace), but still, she was powerless against the supernatural elements. This lack of power to change the situation or escape the horror easily is what makes many elements in true horror stories truly frightening.