What makes 'The Little Mermaid' a horror story?

Making the mermaid's transformation go wrong can be scary. For example, if instead of getting legs, she gets some hideous hybrid form. It goes against the normal beauty associated with mermaids.

One of the scariest aspects in the 'The Little Mermaid' scary story is the deal she makes with Ursula. She has to trade her voice, which is such a big sacrifice. And if she fails to make the prince fall in love with her in a certain time, she'll not only lose her chance at love but also her life. The uncertainty and the high stakes involved in this deal make it a really scary situation. Also, the sea witch's lair is a spooky place filled with all kinds of strange and menacing things that add to the overall scariness of the story.

The deal with the sea witch is a major horror element. She has to give up her most precious possession, her voice, and endure the transformation into a half - human form that causes her constant pain. It's like a Faustian bargain in a way.

Once upon a time, the little mermaid made a deal with the sea witch. But instead of a beautiful transformation, she was cursed. Her voice became a shrill screech that drove all sea creatures mad. Her new legs were made of jagged bones that cut into the sand as she walked. And every step she took was in agony. She was shunned by humans, and in the end, she was dragged back into the ocean by the vengeful sea witch to live a tortured existence in the darkest depths.

The idea of the Little Mermaid losing her voice can be seen as a horror element. She gives up such an important part of herself for a chance at love with the prince. Also, the sea witch's deal is quite terrifying. She has to endure great pain when getting her legs, like feeling as if she's walking on knives. And in some darker interpretations, the possibility of the prince never loving her back and her turning into sea foam is a tragic and somewhat horror - like end.

Perhaps the 'golden sound' makes it special. It could be a unique feature that sets this version of the story apart from others. For example, the sound might have magical properties.

The unrequited love makes it sad. She loves the prince deeply but he doesn't love her back.

The Little Mermaid could be regarded as a horror story because of the deal she makes with the sea witch. The witch takes her voice in exchange for legs. Imagine being mute in a strange world, not being able to communicate your thoughts or feelings. Also, the idea of walking on knives (how the legs feel to her) is a very cruel and horror - like aspect of the story. And there's always the threat of failure and losing her life that looms over her throughout the story.

To retell it as a horror story, you could start with the mermaid's growing obsession with the prince. Show how it drives her to madness. Then, when she's in the human world, make it seem like everyone is out to get her. The prince could be more of a cold and cruel character, and the mermaid's hope slowly turns into despair as she realizes she may never truly be loved by him. Add some spooky events like strange noises at night and shadows following her.

You could start by making the sea witch more evil. Instead of just taking the mermaid's voice, she could take away her memories or her ability to swim properly. The prince could be a cruel character who toys with the mermaid's feelings. And when the mermaid starts to turn into sea foam, it could be a much more violent and painful process, with her body contorting in agony.