LexTalk

What’s a book or movie that genuinely scared you?

View all responses

  I love a good horror movie. Give me something creepy, unsettling, paranormal, or downright bizarre, and I’m usually all for it. I’ve always been fascinated by true crime and the darker side of human nature, so it takes quite a bit for a movie to genuinely get under my skin.

But there is one movie that disturbed me more than any other.

The Poughkeepsie Tapes.

If you’ve seen it, you probably understand why.

Unlike your typical horror movie filled with jump scares, ghosts, or supernatural creatures, The Poughkeepsie Tapes takes a much more disturbing approach. It’s presented as a documentary about a serial killer, complete with interviews, supposed evidence, and horrifying footage.

And that’s what makes it so unsettling.

It’s not necessarily the violence or the gruesome scenes that bothered me the most. It’s the psychological aspect of it all. The manipulation, the cruelty, and the thought that there are genuinely people in this world capable of doing such horrific things.

As someone who enjoys true crime, I’m certainly no stranger to hearing about the terrible things humans are capable of. But watching something fictional presented in such a realistic way really got to me.

It’s one of those movies that doesn’t necessarily make you scream. It just leaves you feeling uncomfortable long after it’s over.

And honestly? That’s a whole different level of scary.

Coming in Second: The Purge Movies

Now, if we’re talking about a movie concept that genuinely terrifies me, The Purge franchise comes in at a very close second.

Think about it.

One night a year when almost all crime, including murder, is legal?

Absolutely terrifying.

What makes these movies so frightening to me isn’t necessarily the masks, weapons, or violence. It’s the idea of what could happen when people are given permission to act on their darkest impulses without legal consequences.

Would your neighbors turn against you? Would someone you’ve unknowingly upset decide to seek revenge? Would people you’ve trusted suddenly become dangerous?

It’s a disturbing thought.

And while I know it’s fiction, I think the reason The Purge bothers me so much is because it explores something very real: human behavior.

Sometimes the scariest monsters aren’t hiding under the bed or lurking in a haunted house.

Sometimes they’re just ordinary people.

The Horror That Really Gets Me

Don’t get me wrong. I love paranormal horror, haunted locations, and a good supernatural mystery. Those are the kinds of things I actually enjoy exploring.

But when it comes to movies that genuinely frighten me, psychological horror and realistic human cruelty seem to have the biggest impact.

Maybe it’s because ghosts and demons are easier to separate from everyday reality.

Human beings? Not so much.

And that’s exactly why The Poughkeepsie Tapes takes my number one spot, with The Purge movies following closely behind.

Now I’m curious: What’s one movie or book that genuinely scared you?

Not just something that made you jump, but something that stuck with you long after you finished it.

I’d love to hear your answers!

Until next time, keep exploring the strange, spooky, and unexpected.

— LexTalk