The unknown is a very scary element. For example, in stories about the Pontianak, no one really knows where she will appear next. It could be right behind you in the dark jungle. Just the thought of that unpredictability is terrifying.
The use of dark magic in stories like the Toyol is quite frightening. The idea that someone can create a mischievous and potentially dangerous creature through magic is really spooky. And it makes you wonder what other kinds of dark things can be created in the world of these horror stories.
The unexpected appearances are really scary. For instance, in the Pontianak story, she can suddenly show up out of nowhere. You might be walking alone at night, and then suddenly, there she is. The element of surprise is what makes it so terrifying.
The scariest element in stories like the Pontianak is her sudden appearance. She can show up out of nowhere, especially in dark and lonely places like forests or abandoned houses. Her vengeful nature also adds to the scariness as she might target anyone she deems has wronged her.
Ghosts are a common element. For example, the Pontianak as I mentioned before. Another common one is the idea of revenge. In many stories, a wronged spirit comes back to take revenge on those who wronged them in life.
The scariest element could be the sense of the unknown. For example, in many stories, there are strange noises or happenings that the characters can't explain. It's that not - knowing what is causing the fear that really gets to you.
The isolation in many of the stories is really scary. Like when a character is alone in an old, abandoned building, cut off from the outside world, and they start to feel like they're being watched by something malevolent. There's also the fear of the supernatural, such as ghosts or demons that defy the laws of nature. This makes the characters, and the readers, feel powerless against them.
The sense of the unknown is a really scary element. For example, in stories where there are unexplained noises or strange apparitions. You don't know what's causing it, whether it's a ghost or some otherworldly entity. It makes your mind race with all kinds of possibilities.
For 'The Amityville Horror', the idea of a haunted house that has a dark past and causes all kinds of strange and malevolent happenings to the new family is quite scary. And in 'Rosemary's Baby', the slow realization by Rosemary that she is carrying the devil's child is a very disturbing and scary element.
The unknown is one of the scariest elements. Like when there are strange noises or glitches that players can't explain. It gives a sense of unease.
The sense of isolation. In Digha horror stories, often the characters find themselves alone in desolate places like the empty beach at night or in an abandoned building. This isolation amplifies the fear as there is no one around to help when something strange occurs.
The anonymity. When you don't know who is sending the texts, it creates a sense of unease. You can't put a face to the threat.