7 Horror Tropes: An article by Erika Mendelson

Horror fiction is iconic in the literary world for its tried-and-true archetypes, many of which have lasted throughout the evolution of the genre. These tropes are considered staples for a reason–they are timeless, malleable, and never fail to make our skin crawl. Let's dive into some of the most classic tropes guaranteed to pop up in your favourite spine-chilling reads.

1. The isolated community 

An absolute fan favourite, the spooky, small-town vibe has “ominous” written all over it. Completely separated from big-city conventions, these locals are swimming in secrets (which, in all likelihood, all relate back to a catastrophic community tragedy that occurred 10-20 years prior). Throw in the town black sheep and a haunted church, and you’ve got yourself a classic in the making.

2. The unreliable narrator 

As readers, we tend to inherently trust our main character. They are our eyes into the story, granting us access to their thoughts as they navigate the plotline. But in literary horror, where twists and turns abound, can we really trust anyone? Unreliable narration, whether it be unintentional–cue the blackouts, delusions, and repressed memories–or completely calculated–these are our straight-up liars–is an extremely effective storytelling strategy for horror writers who want their readers questioning everyone’s intentions. Whether we knew not to trust them at the start, or they caught us with the surprise reveal in the end, the unreliable narrator always keeps us guessing.

3. The dark backstory

A tragic past is basically a requirement for the main character in a horror novel. These heartbreaking backstories–frequently revolving around a lost relative, a brush with death, or a disturbing childhood experience–often come back to have a significant impact on the plotline of the story or the motivations of our protagonist. Goes to show that there might be a reason none of our spooky MCs came from stable homes with consistent bedtime snuggles.

4. The forsaken house

There is something so distinctly creepy about empty homes–the sense of abandonment and neglect that permeates the air; the foreboding feeling that someone could be lurking around the corner, completely undetected. This sort of setting unnerves readers the second they’re brought through the threshold, holding their attention until everybody (hopefully) makes it out alive.

5. The loss of any and all rational thought 

All horror readers know this moment far too well–the moment that has us gripping our emotional support stuffed animal, fruitlessly screaming into the pages of our book. Our protagonist is in the fight of their life, trying with all their might to escape the murderer/demon/monster that is gunning for the kill. It is in this perilous time that our protagonist–who, up to this point, has displayed some serious critical thinking skills–decides to abandon all sense of logic, making a series of life-risking moves instead of the easy getaway. I mean, really, why would you run up the stairs, rather than out the front door?

6. It was a dark and stormy night…

What is considered an innocent weather occurrence in any other context takes on much more sinister implications in the context of a horror story. The ambiance of a dark and stormy night is guaranteed to set readers on edge, terrified of what might emerge from the shadows. Let’s be honest–how often are characters getting murdered on a gorgeous spring day?

7. The final girl 

You know her, you love her, you will never be rid of her–she is our final girl. In the simplest sense of the word, the final girl is the lone survivor of our horror antagonist, having narrowly escaped time and time again. She is traditionally described as an intelligent, resourceful girl with a moral compass that supersedes that of her (soon to be departed) peers, although the archetype has evolved in modern horror to follow less rigid guidelines. While most commonly associated with slasher films, the trope is heavily perpetuated in horror literature, ensuring that the final girl will never truly die.

Erika Mendelson is a Carleton University graduate with a Bachelor of Journalism, a Centennial College Publishing student, and a self-proclaimed bibliophile. She resides in Toronto, ON.