Horror movies freak us out not just because of what’s happening, but because of how we see it. A tilted camera, a creepy shadow, or a zoom-in at just the right moment can totally change the way we experience fear.
1. High-Angle Shots – Making People Look Weak
Ever notice how some shots make a character look tiny and powerless? That’s a high-angle shot—the camera is looking down on them, making them seem vulnerable.
A great example? The Shining. When little Danny is riding his tricycle through the empty hotel hallways, the high angle makes him look lost in this massive, creepy place. It’s like the building itself is watching him. Super unsettling.
2. Low-Angle Shots – When the Monster Looks Huge
Flip that camera angle, and suddenly, the bad guy looks terrifying. A low-angle shot makes characters or objects look bigger, scarier, and more in control.
Think about Psycho. When Norman Bates stands at the top of the stairs, the low angle makes him seem super threatening—right before he does something awful. It’s a small trick, but it makes a huge difference.
3. Dutch Angles – When Everything Feels Wrong
Ever watched a scene where things just feel off, even if nothing super scary is happening? That’s probably because of a Dutch angle. It’s when the camera is tilted so the shot looks slightly slanted.
Movies like Insidious and The Third Man use this effect a lot. It’s an easy way to make the audience feel uneasy—like something bad is about to go down.
4. Close-Ups – Getting in Your Face
Close-ups are perfect for horror. They zoom in on a character’s face, their eyes, or even small details like a shaking hand, making the moment feel way more intense.
A great example? Jaws. That famous shot where the camera zooms in on Chief Brody’s shocked face when he sees the shark? That’s a close-up working its magic—locking us into his fear and making us feel it too.
5. Tracking Shots – That “Something’s Watching” Feeling
Ever get that creepy feeling that someone’s behind you? Tracking shots can do that too. This is when the camera follows a character, making it feel like we’re being stalked.
Halloween does this perfectly. The way the camera follows Laurie walking through her quiet neighborhood? Nothing is happening yet, but it still feels so tense, because we know something is coming.
6. Shadows & Lighting – The Fear of the Unknown
Good lighting (or lack of it) is everything in horror. Too much, and it’s not scary. Too little, and we can’t see anything. The best horror movies find that perfect middle ground.
Nosferatu and The Babadook use shadows so well. You don’t always see the monster, but you see its shadow. And somehow, that’s even worse. Our brains fill in the blanks with something way scarier than any CGI could ever create.
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