There were many dark and distorted anime such as Dark Souls, Death Note, Evil Crown, Sword Art Online, Tokyo Ghoul, and so on. These animes all contained dark and twisted elements such as the dark side of human nature, the use of superpowers, virtual reality, and so on. They attracted many anime fans with their unique style and storyline.
They usually deal with themes that are disturbing or uncomfortable like death, insanity, and the dark side of human nature. Take 'American Psycho' for example. It delves deep into the mind of a serial killer and his warped view of the world. Also, dark twisted stories may have a sense of foreboding atmosphere. In 'The Shining', the isolated hotel setting and the strange events that keep happening create a really eerie and foreboding mood.
One example could be a story about a seemingly kind old woman who secretly poisons the neighborhood cats because she believes they are agents of the devil. Another might be a tale of a young child who discovers that his family's attic holds a portal to a nightmarish dimension where his doppelgänger tries to take over his life. And then there's the story of a small town where every night, a mysterious figure lurks in the shadows, stealing the voices of those who stay out too late.
Twisted and dark stories frequently connect through the emotions they evoke in readers. Fear, suspense, and a sense of unease can tie them together. Also, they might share a similar narrative structure that builds tension gradually.
Well, 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas can be considered in this category to some extent. The relationship between the main characters has a dark and passionate side, with a lot of power dynamics at play. Then there's 'Poison Study' by Maria V. Snyder, where the relationship between the protagonist and a certain character has elements of a dark and unexpected romance. Also, 'The Vampire Diaries' novels have their fair share of dark, twisted love triangles and complex relationships.
Well, psychological turmoil is a big theme in 'dark twisted short stories'. Characters usually experience intense mental states like paranoia, guilt, or despair. Morality is another common theme. These stories often question what is right and wrong, blurring the lines. Also, the theme of the uncanny or the abnormal is frequent. Things that are not normal in the world we know, like strange transformations or abnormal behaviors, are often part of these stories. For example, in 'The Metamorphosis', Gregor's transformation into an insect is a very abnormal event that drives the whole 'dark twisted' narrative.
Stephen King has many 'dark and twisted horror stories' too. For example, 'Pet Sematary' where a burial ground has the power to bring the dead back to life, but they come back wrong. It shows how tampering with death can lead to terrifying and unforeseen consequences.
It depends on your taste. If you enjoy stories with a lot of emotional turmoil and a touch of the macabre in the context of romance, then it might be worth it. The 'dark' aspect can add a unique flavor to the love story, making it different from typical romances. However, if you prefer light - hearted, fluffy romances, it may not be for you.
Unusual or disturbing settings also play a role. It could be a haunted mansion or a post - apocalyptic world. In a story set in a desolate and dangerous place, the love that develops between the characters can take on a darker hue as they struggle not only with their feelings but also with survival. For instance, in some dystopian novels, love might be a rare and dangerous thing.
One such novel is 'Wuthering Heights'. It contains elements of a dark and twisted love. Heathcliff's obsessive and vengeful love for Catherine is far from the typical romantic love. His actions, driven by his unrequited and all - consuming love, lead to a cycle of misery and revenge among the characters.