There is a thin line between horror and dark fantasy, making them difficult to distinguish from one another at times. Both genres strive to elicit fear, wonder, and suspense in eerie and unsettling settings. Supernatural elements are often included and play a significant role in the plot. Every so often, characters are mysterious and surveyors of the unknown. But what elements truly separate the two?
Horror and Dark Fantasy
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Horror and dark fantasy rely largely on tension and the intensity of the narrative, highlighting the external and internal struggles of the characters. They may face situations wherein they need to explore their morals, blurring the lines between good and evil. By incorporating moral dilemmas and significant character development, these genres provoke strong emotions from their readers.
Despite these similarities, there are notable distinctions between horror and dark fantasy. Let’s take a deeper look at their major differences.
The Setting
The setting is an important catalyst when it comes to shaping the tone and atmosphere of a story. Horror stories usually take place in more “haunted” places, such as a mansion, abandoned hotel, or even within paranormal realms. Dark fantasies are more likely to be set in magical worlds, imaginative landscapes, and fantastical lands less based on reality.
In contrast, horror tends to stick to more real-life settings, and the author weaves the horrific elements into the setting itself. It’s the idea of certain anomalies or atrocities taking place in a realistic setting that can make a story all the more frightening for readers.
The Focus of the Story
The main focus of a novel can make all the difference as to whether it’s classified as horror or dark fantasy. Horror typically focuses more on creating a sense fear and dread amongst readers through psychological or supernatural means. The atmosphere created inspires a darker and more malicious tone.
Dark fantasy, on the other hand, emphasizes the elements of magic and the world-building of the story. Yes, the story can be considered scary to a degree, however, making choices that will terrify readers isn’t its purpose. The stakes are high, but we’re so immersed in this fantastical world that the horror takes a back seat.
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The Creatures Featured
Supernatural elements are both present in horror and dark fantasy. In horror, one is likely to find creatures such as ghosts, spirits, and possessed puppets and dolls (yikes). The popularized creatures such as vampires and werewolves are often gritty and dangerous and pose a true threat to any human character.
Dark fantasy is chock full of vampires and werewolves as well (looking at you Twilight franchise), however many more modern tales also feature faerie or fae characters, witches, warlocks, and the like. If it can possess a magical property of some sort, you’re likely to find it in a dark fantasy novel.
The Character Roles
The characters, be they archetypal or not, play a major role in distinguishing horror from dark fantasy. Characters in horror novels are oftentimes less than perfectly portrayed, traumatized, or battling a darkness from their past. This can lead them to encounter unsolved mysteries or unsavory villains.
Consequently, they are expected to uncover secrets, brave the unknown, and battle with paranormal entities. They often face high stakes, and their lives are not guaranteed, creating additional tension as the reader can never be sure if they will survive.
In contrast, characters in dark fantasy typically have supernatural powers or abilities they must explore and develop. They are projected to fulfill a destiny, discover the world, and reveal dark truths. They may expose the complexities of the fantasy world and the characters within it.
They do engage in serious battles with real consequences, however more often than not the protagonist themselves is guaranteed to survive, if for no other reason than a potential sequel in which the world can be developed to an even greater degree.
The Tropes
Horror stories use jump scares, gore, monsters, psychological horror, and occult elements to evoke visceral reactions in their readers. The mixture of the real and the supernatural makes the reader uneasy. If these things can happen in this novel, who’s to say that they couldn’t happen in real life?
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Tales of legendary creatures on quests, epic battles between forces of light and darkness, and magical abilities are all common elements of dark fantasy. The horror elements are often rooted in folklore and fables, a cautionary tale for the characters to avoid similar mistakes on their own journeys. A prophecy to fulfill, an apocalypse to prevent, or a creature to set free; there are many paths that dark fantasy can take in order to entertain.
Final Thoughts
Horror and dark fantasy are both genres that deal with the wickedness and corruption in the world. They may deliver a similar message, but the vessel through which that message arrives is vastly different. Both categories encourage readers to acknowledge the darkness of the world in order to appreciate the lightness.
Understanding the differences between horror and dark fantasy enhances our appreciation of both genres and the richness of human imagination. The continuous popularity of horror and dark fantasy in literature is a testament to our curiosity about the paranormal and the unknown.
More inventive and captivating tales that push the boundaries of what speculative fiction can be are still developing and will continue to capture our attention.
