Talk Horror The Mouth of Madness
Let’s be honest: horror movies love a good trope. And you know what? So do we. Sure, some of them have been dusted off more times than a cursed Ouija board at a teenage sleepover, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still work. Some tropes get our little horror-loving hearts racing no matter how many times we’ve seen them—and some make us want to scream at the screen instead of with it. Below, I’m breaking down 10 horror movie tropes I’ll defend with my dying breath (or at least until the sequel), and 3 that I’d like to personally drag into the woods and leave for dead.
10 Horror Movie Tropes We Love
Isolation
Our characters are cut off from the world with little to no hope of rescue. Living in the middle of West Virginia, I don’t even mind the cellphones not working. Mine doesn’t! This just means the tension is high and the stakes are even higher! Great example: The Thing (1982)
The Unreliable Narrator
The story is told from the pov of a character who can’t be trusted. This can mess with your head in the best ways and lead to some of the best twists in the genre. Great example: Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
Monsters EVERYWHERE
Now, I love me some monster monsters: vampires, werewolves, and creepy crawlies. But there’s something so much scarier about the human monsters around us, and a character line-up that leaves you wondering who you can trust is pure gold. Sometimes, there’s both and you’re forced to wonder: what’s worse? The monster out there? Or the monster trapped in here with me? Great example: Martyrs (2008)
There’s Something In the Closet
Okay, so it doesn’t have to be the closet— though that’s my personal nightmare—but when the oogie boogie is hiding somewhere in the house with you… Terrifying! Great example: Poltergeist (1982)
They Were Dead All Along
This one can be literal (and has become a personal joke of mine), but it can also be figurative. It’s the twist ending that tells you the perspective has been slightly distorted the whole time. It’s akin to the Unreliable Narrator, without the untrustworthy part. Great example: The Others (2001)
The Jump Scare
Controversial, I know. So many horror fans are tired of this one. And I get it! So many jump scares these days aren’t done well. They can be ill-timed. Or worse! The jump scare is a fake scare: cat throw, anyone? But a good, legitimate jump scare that reveals a hidden villain? Gets me every time! Great example: The Conjuring (2013)
The Nightmare That’s Too Real
Thank you, Freddy Krueger, you sonofabitch. But seriously, lots of paranormal stories rely on this trope, from characters waking up with horrible bruises, all the way to characters waking up… well, dead. It’s a great way of illustrating that blurred line of reality. Great example (obviously): A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
The Indian Burial Ground
I kid, I kid. Kind of. Stephen King’s popular trope aside, I love a location with a good backstory. Why is the land cursed? Who (or what) is haunting this house? Why was the hospital abandoned? I need to know these things! Which is why I’m a sucker for a good prequel. Great example: The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
The Harbinger
Though Crazy Ralph is a fan favorite for a reason, I don’t think the Harbinger always has to be some wild, Old Testament-style prophet, shouting your doom. Subtle warnings from a neighbor, a child’s spooky, sing-songy pronouncement (“They’re he-re.”), or a friend’s quick, “Don’t go in there,” are all great ways to insist your Main Character pause to think about their next action. Even if (maybe especially if) the MC fails to listen. Great example: Mordecai from The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
The Final Girl (Or Boy)
There are a lot of reasons people might love this classic horror movie trope. And probably a lot of reasons other people might hate it. For me, it’s simple. I love having someone to root for! Get him, Tommy!!! Great example: Ellen Ripley from Alien (1979)
3 Horror Movie Tropes We Hate
Splitting Up
We’re pack animals, man. I’ve never bought this as a viable idea in dangerous situations. We’ve already lost a friend (or two) to the Big Bad. Why would we split up?! I don’t buy it. Ever. Terrible example: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
The Clumsy Escape
Okay, I’ll be honest. As a runner, I probably have an unfair perspective on this one, but… I haven’t tripped so badly that I’ve fallen on my face since I was, like, two. Even when running at full speed. But! I’ve also never seen any other adult face-plant while jogging through their own yard, either, so… Why should I buy that teenagers everywhere are tripping over their own feet all the time? Give it a rest. Terrible example: Scream VI (2023)
The Unstartable Car
Just. Stop. This trope sucked before it was ever a trope. But now? In 2025? Put that shit to bed already. Sheesh! Terrible example: It Follows (2014)
But We Love Them All Anyway…
At the end of the day, tropes are just tools—and when they’re used right, they can be as effective as a chainsaw in a slasher’s hands. But even the sharpest blade gets dull when it’s overused. Whether it’s the comforting thrill of a Final Girl standing tall, or the collective groan when someone’s car won’t start again, these storytelling devices are part of what make horror so deliciously familiar. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re not going anywhere—so we might as well enjoy the ride… just don’t split up, okay?
What did we miss? Drop a comment below to let us know what your favorite horror trope is (or which one you wish would just die).
