Monsters have haunted our tales since the dawn of storytelling. From mystical beasts of ancient legend, to the overly-stylized creatures of modern horror, these fiends have captivated, terrified, and stalked our books, movies, and dreams for centuries. Are all monsters created equal though? What separates the easily forgotten phantom, from the ghoulish things that burrow into our nightmares? Let’s take a look at what makes a monster truly monstrous.
Firstly, an important distinction to understand in the creation of monsters is the one between physical and psychological threats. Physically imposing monsters—like Godzilla or a hulking mountain troll with razor claws and jagged teeth—pose an immediate threat to life and limb.
On the other hand, monsters that play on psychological fears tap into deeper, more primal anxieties. They exploit the mind, preying on uncertainties, guilt, or the fear of the unknown, often leaving a lasting, unsettling impression. Think Freddy Krueger from the “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, and how he invades the dreams of his victims. Understanding this distinction, between physical and psychological threats, can help in creating more compelling and believable monsters.
Balancing physical and psychological threats with a creature that’s both physically menacing, and psychologically manipulative, will enhance the depth and intrigue of your monster. Maybe it has the physical power to destroy its victims while simultaneously using psychological tactics to isolate them, erode their sanity, or exploit their deepest fears. This dual approach will certainly keep your audience on edge as they struggle dealing with threats that are both immediate, and existential.
But truly terrifying monsters aren’t just physically imposing or grotesque. Their power lies in their ability to evoke fundamental human anxieties.
Using the unknown to your advantage can make your monster feel more unpredictable and dangerous. Leave certain aspects of your monster’s nature or motivations shrouded in mystery. By withholding specific details, you'll empower your audience to create their own interpretations of the unknown. This ambiguity not only heightens suspense, it also makes the creature more terrifying as the audience grapples with their own fears and uncertainties.
To evoke a powerful emotional response, infuse your monsters with elements that trigger innate fears. Make them unpredictable; maybe give them a grotesque appearance, or a hint of the supernatural. By aligning your monster with these universal fears, you'll create an unforgettable and truly terrifying entity.
Making your monster uncontrollable is another way to build a sense of impending doom in your audience. Let’s say you have a monster that only hunts at night, under the cover of darkness. The characters in your story have learned this pattern, and use it to their advantage by hunting, gathering, or traveling during daylight hours, and barricading themselves in night after night. This gives the characters, and your audience, a sense of security and they expect the monster to continue this pattern. Suddenly, the monster attacks in broad daylight. This abrupt change in behavior would catch both the characters, and your audience off guard which will heighten your narrative's tension, and reader engagement.
Want to really kick it up a notch? Give your monster intelligence, and agility, with problem-solving abilities…
Every character needs a history, and your monster is no exception. Give it an origin story that explains how it came to be. Was it a victim of a scientific experiment gone awry? An ancient Curse? Is it here from another realm? Or might it be a creature as old as the planet itself, that’s always been among us, hidden in the shadows…until now? Instead of being some mindless threat, give your monster teeth, with a well-crafted backstory.
Now give your monster some depth. Explore its motivations and behaviors. Consider what drives its actions—does it seek revenge, is it trying to survive in our hostile world, or is it simply following its true nature? Adding these kinds of elements makes a monster more believable and even relatable by letting your audience to connect with it on a deeper level. A monster with a history, and a purpose, becomes an integral part of the story, transforming it from a mere obstacle to contend with, into a character that enhances the narrative.
What does it look like? Your monster’s appearance is going to plays a significant role in evoking fear and making it memorable to readers. You can combine various visual elements to create a creature that is both unsettling and distinctive. Size is a key factor: a massive monster can inspire awe and terror; a smaller, more agile one can disturb through its ability and swiftness like a spider, or a mouse can. Irregular or unnatural shapes, like twisted limbs or bulbous growths, can contradict expectations and create a sense of unease. Unique features like glowing eyes, razor-sharp claws, or a maw full of teeth are classic, but still make a monster instantly terrifying.
If your monster leans more toward sci-fi, consider giving it biomechanical traits—combining organic and mechanical elements, similar to the Borg from “Star Trek: the Next Generation”. You could incorporate unsettling textures, like scaly skin or slimy flesh to heighten the creep factor. Jerky, unnatural movements can also make the creature more disturbing, emphasizing its inhuman nature.
The most terrifying monsters, though, aren’t creatures from myth, lore, or legend. The scariest creatures aren’t always the gore-filled violent nightmares of film and screen. Sometimes, the most terrifying and dangerous monster is the one whom walks among us disguised in normalcy, often described as “quiet”, or having always “kept to themselves”; the human monster is more terrifying than any creature. These are the predators who prey on the vulnerable; the abusers who exploit trust, and the individuals who inflict unimaginable harm on the innocent for their own twisted pleasure. These monsters are the shadows in our lives; reminders that evil can wear a human face, and strike at any moment.
When tapping into universal fears to create compelling monsters, it’s essential to balance physical and psychological threats, to exploit fundamental human anxieties. By giving your monster a well-crafted backstory, relatable motivations, and a distinctive appearance, you can create a believable and frightening entity that will leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Happy monster crafting!
~Dani
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