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 suddenness of the lightning is very scary. It can strike without warning and in a split second change the situation. For example, in a story where a person is walking in a forest, a lightning strike can suddenly make the peaceful forest seem like a dangerous place full of hidden threats.
The uncertainty. When you're in a standby situation, not knowing what will happen next can be terrifying. For example, in a standby for a rescue operation, you don't know if help will arrive in time.
The unknown is a really scary element. In hunting horror stories, hunters often encounter things they can't explain. Like strange noises in the woods that don't match any known animal. It gives a sense of dread not knowing what's making those sounds.
The sense of the supernatural being intertwined with family and cultural values is quite scary. For example, in La Llorona, the idea that a mother could turn on her own children due to jealousy or madness is disturbing on a deep, emotional level. It plays on our basic fears of family breakdown and the potential for those closest to us to cause harm.
Strange creatures are often very scary in forest horror stories. These could be things like werewolves or some unknown forest spirits. Also, the forest at night is really spooky. The darkness hides so much, and the limited visibility makes your imagination run wild. You might see a shape that looks like a monster but it could just be a tree stump, yet in the moment, it's terrifying. Plus, the sounds of the forest at night, like the hooting of owls or the cracking of branches, can be very unnerving.