Can you give examples of themes in horror stories?

One theme is the end of the world. Many horror stories explore what would happen if the world was ending due to some apocalyptic event, like a zombie apocalypse or a global pandemic that turns people into monsters. Another theme is the lost in a strange and dangerous world. For example, a character finding themselves in a parallel dimension filled with nightmarish creatures. And the theme of the untrustworthy nature is also there. In horror, you can't always trust the people around you as they might be part of the horror.

Well, the theme of madness is quite prevalent in horror. Characters going insane and doing unthinkable things create a lot of horror. For instance, a scientist driven mad by his unethical experiments. Another theme is the theme of the otherworldly invasion. Aliens or creatures from another dimension coming to Earth to take over or cause chaos. Also, the theme of the undead, like zombies or vampires, is very popular in horror stories.

A 'creampie horror story' could be about a cursed dessert competition. A contestant makes a 'creampie' but during the judging, the 'creampie' starts to ooze a black liquid and strange noises come from it. Everyone in the room is horrified.

My phone took a picture of me while I was sleeping and sent it to an unknown number.

One good theme is courage. For example, in 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe', the children show great courage in the face of the White Witch and her evil plans. They risk their lives to save Narnia.

The theme of sacrifice can be really good. In many war stories, soldiers sacrifice their lives for their country or comrades. The theme of hope is also important. In 'The Diary of a Young Girl' by Anne Frank, despite the difficult situation, Anne still holds on to hope. And the theme of perseverance is shown in 'The Little Engine That Could' where the little engine keeps trying until it succeeds.

Abandonment is a theme. Think about a child being abandoned by their parents. It's extremely sad. The theme of destruction can also be in sad stories. For example, a natural disaster destroying a community and the people's lives there. Also, the theme of lost opportunities. When someone misses out on a great opportunity and realizes it too late, it makes for a sad story. There are often feelings of self - blame and sadness associated with it.

Sure. One example is the attic. It's often a dusty, forgotten place in a house where old family secrets might be hidden. Another is the cellar. It's dark, damp, and can be full of creepy crawlies. Also, a fog - covered moor can be a great horror setting. The mist makes it hard to see what's coming.

One way to 'boil horror stories' is to focus on the unknown. For instance, start a story with a character feeling like they're being watched in an empty old house, but never revealing what's watching right away. This builds up the horror.