There’s something about the fear of the unknown that makes it uniquely terrifying, and good demonic horror works to encapsulate this element of fear. It dwells in realms that evoke distrust, disgust, and helplessness in humanity. A sense of corruption and violation permeates the genre, and it all seems so totally beyond the victims’ control. Perhaps a large part of what makes the demonic so compelling from a horror standpoint goes back to a time when possession was widely believed to be a real, ever-present danger.
What is Demon Horror?
Demon horror usually involves possession, and the vessel of this possession will often take the form of a human victim. It focuses on the idea that the world is a fragile place where regular and peaceful existence can be undermined by the intervention of evil forces. This lens creates a framework where good and evil are diametrically opposed, and the entities serving evil have at least some autonomous power within the world. Other times, this power is heavily curtailed, and it is only the actions of the foolhardy, the overly ambitious, or the greedy that release evil upon the physical world. It is difficult to pin down exactly when this subgenre truly took form because the demonic has featured so heavily in myths and legends throughout most of written history. Though most Western literature focuses on the demonic through the lens of the Abrahamic religions, there is also a rich world of demonic literature beyond, such as the rakshasa of Hindu legends.
These elements of evil were perhaps destined to make their appearance in literature, given their relationship with the creative forces of the human mind. The demonic becomes entangled with our sense of good and evil, and how these ideas interact with our sense of agency when the worst parts of our tendencies come out.
Common Tropes
- An innocent is possessed: One of the biggest potentials for fear in demon horror comes from the fact that the innocent so frequently comprise the victims. Sometimes this takes the form of a young child, an unfortunate bystander, or even someone who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The fear element is strong here specifically because it creates the impression that anyone is vulnerable to corruption, no matter their intentions.
- Tormented family: Think back to the poor mother in The Exorcist, or the family in The Shining. It’s common for an entire family unit to be torn asunder by the otherworldly presence. Family members of those possessed provide a lens to view the corruption as it takes place, and their similarities to people we know make the suffering all the more real.
- Demonology Expert: Usually, the sense of helplessness in demon horror begins to diminish with the arrival of an expert. These characters serve to reduce the unknown, but they also provide the necessary momentum to move the narrative arc toward a conclusion. Thinking of the narrative structure within the story, it is important to consider that the demonic assault can only continue to escalate tension for so long. Eventually, succeed or fail, the protagonist must find some way to attempt a confrontation. This could take the form of an exorcist, a demonologist, or any number of other subject matter experts. However, the arrival of the expert frequently coincides with the strongest demonic assault as the creature makes a final push to achieve its destructive ends.
Why I Like Demon Horror
I don’t enjoy horror stories where the monster can be defeated readily. True horror, for me, comes in the form of enemies that are beyond anything the protagonists can hope to defeat. In most demon horror, this supernatural foe cannot be stopped or even inconvenienced by anything the cast of characters can do, and it is often only the arrival of the expert mentioned above that the protagonist has any hope at all of prevailing. This does so much work to keep the demon from being a straw man, waiting to be knocked down at the protagonist’s earliest convenience.
Why YOU Should Explore Demon Horror
Demon horror provides an opportunity to unleash pure evil into your narrative. It’s a chance to experiment with completely inhuman antagonists. They cannot be stopped (at least not apparently), they cannot be bargained with, and there is no good side for the protagonist to offer appeals for mercy or kindness. This creature embodies evil in a form that is so pure, it can only be fought against. Creating a compelling story depends on finding realistic ways for the victims to rail against their imprisonment!
If you decide to try your hand at writing demonic fiction, consider the following options when crafting your story:
- Normal people: This is a great opportunity to pitch everyday individuals into something impossibly supernatural and unreal. Create the kind of person you might imagine at the grocery store, and then see how their world changes when the demonic corruption begins!
- Esoteric rituals: Often, whether for summoning the demon or banishing it, an entire system of tradition and ritual will need to be constructed around their existence and how they’re contained. Go ham with your worldbuilding—this part can be so much fun!
- Good vs evil: These stories also offer real opportunities to consider ideas about good and evil, as there is less need to create ambiguity and mixed intentions in your antagonist. Think about how you might present this theme in a new light. Your creativity is your only limitation!
Demon Horror That We Love
Maybe it’s the easy answer, but I absolutely love The Exorcist. If you haven’t read the book or seen the film, you’re missing out! The human characters in this story are compelling, particularly the mother and the priest. Seeing elements of moral ambiguity against the stark evil of Pazuzu offers an interesting look at the idea of good and evil, and also offers up some truly horrific depictions of what a creature of infinite malice might be capable of. If you’re interested in exploring this subgenre, this is the place to start!
Do you enjoy camp? Melodrama? Horror? If you checked each of those boxes, look no further than the classic, The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis. It’s got crossdressing monks. Demons. Nun-based ghost stories. (And also considerable sexual violence, so do be careful of this book if that topic affects you.) The writing isn’t perfect, especially by modern standards, but this book stands out to me as a (sometimes comical) dissection of gender performance, sexuality, and religiosity.
If you’re into horror, you should check out “The Amityville Horror” by Jay Anson. It’s based on a supposedly haunted house in Amityville, New York and is a really gripping read. Anson’s writing sucks you into the spooky house, with all sorts of weird stuff occurring. Through skillful storytelling, he weaves a chilling tale that blurs the lines between reality and supernatural terror, leaving readers questioning the limits of their own beliefs. The book is a hit because it’s spooky and delves into the human psyche when faced with mysterious circumstances.