What are some common ideas about horror stories?

Another idea is a small, isolated town. A traveler arrives and notices that the townspeople are all very strange. There are no children in sight. As night falls, the traveler discovers that the town has a dark secret. Every full moon, the townspeople transform into some sort of inhuman creatures and hunt for any outsiders. The traveler must now find a way to escape before the next full moon.

One idea could be a haunted house. Picture an old, dilapidated mansion on the outskirts of town. Strange noises come from within at night, like creaking floorboards and whispers. People who enter never come out the same, if they come out at all. Shadows seem to move on their own, and there are cold spots throughout the house that send shivers down your spine.

One idea could be a haunted house where every night strange noises come from the attic and the walls seem to ooze a cold slime. People who enter the house start to see apparitions of past residents who died in tragic ways. Another idea is a cursed forest where the trees have faces that whisper dark secrets, and anyone who gets lost in it is never seen again. And a third idea could be a possessed doll that moves on its own and causes chaos in a family's home.

One plot idea could be a haunted house. A family moves into an old, dilapidated mansion. Strange noises start at night, like creaking floorboards and whispering voices. Objects move on their own, and shadowy figures are seen out of the corner of their eyes. The family tries to find out the history of the house and discovers a dark past of murders and occult practices.

One idea could be a haunted house that was built on an ancient burial ground. Strange noises come from the basement, and every night the shadows on the walls seem to move on their own, forming grotesque shapes. People who enter the house start to experience vivid nightmares and slowly lose their sanity.

One common element is the feeling of being watched. Eyes are often associated with a sense of surveillance. For example, in many stories, the protagonist feels as if unseen eyes are following them. Another is the idea of possession through the eyes. Like in some tales where an evil spirit can enter a person's body through their eyes. Also, abnormal appearances of eyes, such as glowing or having strange markings, are often used to create horror. This makes the eyes seem otherworldly and menacing.

One common horror story is about haunted houses. People often tell of strange noises at night, like creaking floors and whispering voices when no one else is around. Doors might open and close on their own, and cold spots can be felt in certain areas of the house. Another is the story of the vengeful spirit. For example, a person who was wronged in life comes back to haunt those who did them wrong. There are also horror stories about cursed objects. Once someone obtains the object, bad luck follows them everywhere.

One common horror setting is the old, abandoned house. It's often dark, with creaking floors and peeling wallpaper. There could be hidden rooms or basements where the unknown lurks. Another is the forest at night. The thick trees block out the moonlight, and strange noises come from all directions. You can't see clearly, and there might be some sort of evil entity waiting in the shadows. Also, the desolate cemetery is a typical horror setting. With tombstones everywhere and a sense of death in the air, it gives off a very spooky vibe.

One emerging idea is the horror of technology gone wrong. For example, smart homes turning against their owners or AI developing a malevolent consciousness. Another new idea is the horror of environmental disasters in a more psychological way. Instead of just showing the destruction, it focuses on how people are driven mad by the changing, apocalyptic - like environment. There's also the idea of body horror in a new context, like genetic mutations caused by unethical scientific experiments.

One common idea is the futility of war. Stories often show how war destroys lives, families, and communities without really achieving much in the long run. For instance, in 'All Quiet on the Western Front', we see the senseless killing and destruction that war brings.