best psychological horror stories

One of the best is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It shows a woman's descent into madness as she is confined to a room with the hideous wallpaper. Another great one is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. The narrator's paranoia over the old man's vulture - like eye drives him to commit a terrible act and then be haunted by the sound of the still - beating heart. And 'The Cask of Amontillado' also by Poe, where the narrator lures his so - called friend into the catacombs for a sinister revenge, creating a sense of dread through the claustrophobic setting.

Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. This novel plays with the minds of the readers. It starts as a mystery about a missing wife, but as the story unfolds, it reveals the complex and often disturbing psychological games between the two main characters, Nick and Amy.

One of the best is 'Doki Doki Literature Club'. It starts off seeming like a normal dating sim but takes a very dark and psychological turn. The characters' deteriorating mental states and the disturbing events that unfold make it a prime example in this genre.

Sure. 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson is a good start. It's short and simple yet packs a powerful psychological punch as it reveals the dark side of a small town's traditions. Another one is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W. W. Jacobs. It shows how our wishes can turn into nightmares in a very psychological way. And 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson, which explores the duality of human nature in a rather spooky and thought - provoking way.

Well, one key factor is the use of unreliable narrators. In stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's sanity is in question, which makes the reader constantly question what's real. Another is the slow build - up of tension. For example, in 'The Lottery', it starts off seemingly normal and then gradually reveals the horror. And the exploration of deep - seated fears, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the fear of confinement and loss of self is explored.

Sure. 'The Monkey's Paw' is a well - known psychological horror short story. It plays on the idea of wishes coming true in the most dreadful ways. Also, 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Poe. The narrator's revenge on Fortunato in the catacombs is full of psychological tension. There's also 'August Heat' which has an uncanny sense of doom and fate that slowly builds up as the story progresses.

Well, they often have unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James, the narrator's perception might be distorted, making the readers constantly question what is real and what is in the character's mind. This adds to the sense of psychological unease.

The 'Silent Hill' visual novels can be considered among the best in horror psychological genre. They often explore deep psychological traumas and fears, with a very eerie atmosphere. Then there's 'Ib'. It's a short but impactful visual novel where you explore a strange art gallery filled with psychological horror elements like distorted paintings and unpredictable characters. 'Yume Nikki' is also great, as it delves into the psychological state of the main character through a series of dream - like and often nightmarish scenarios.

A great example is 'Psycho' by Robert Bloch. The character of Norman Bates is a complex and disturbing figure. His split personality and the events that unfold in the Bates Motel are classic psychological horror elements. Also, Shirley Jackson's 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' has a sense of unease and psychological tension as the main characters are isolated and seem to be hiding secrets.

One classic is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's about a woman's descent into madness while confined in a room with the titular wallpaper. Another is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. The narrator's obsession and guilt over murdering an old man is deeply disturbing. And 'Rosemary's Baby' by Ira Levin is also well - known. It plays on a woman's fears during her pregnancy as she suspects something is terribly wrong with her unborn child.