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Narrative · Motif

The Monster Within

A subversive motif locating the primary source of horror and danger inside the familiar protagonist, denying the audience the comfort of moral distance.

The chilling realization of one's own capacity for darkness. The dread of recognizing the monster not in the shadows, but within the self, blurring the lines between hero and villain.

Books

The ShiningStephen King
Gerald's GameStephen King
Rose MadderStephen King
A Certain HungerChelsea G. Summers
BunnyMona Awad
The Dark HalfStephen King
Behind her eyesSarah Pinborough
Exquisite CorpsePoppy Z. Brite
The Girl Next DoorJack Ketchum
PsychoRobert Bloch
The BodyStephen King
Come CloserSara Gran
The Bad PlaceDean Koontz
HollyStephen King
The HistorianElizabeth Kostova
Mr. MurderDean Koontz
Hell Followed with UsAndrew Joseph White
EileenOttessa Moshfegh
The Bad SeedWilliam March
HideawayDean Koontz
The FunhouseDean Koontz
The GirlsEmma Cline
The Robber BrideMargaret Atwood
Let the right one inJohn Ajvide Lindqvist
WhispersDean Koontz
Baby TeethZoje Stage
False MemoryDean Koontz
Death in Her HandsOttessa Moshfegh
Stone BlindNatalie Haynes
The OtherThomas Tryon
Odd ApocalypseDean Koontz
Black HousePeter Straub
The WillowsAlgernon Blackwood
The MaskDean Koontz
This Savage SongV. E. Schwab
Plain Bad HeroinesEmily M. Danforth
The RitualAdam Nevill
Gwendy's Final TaskRichard Chizmar
Bad CreeJessica Johns
The Magic CottageJames Herbert
The FaceDean Koontz
Just Like HomeSarah Gailey
Summer SonsLee Mandelo
My Heart Is a ChainsawStephen Graham Jones

Related

The Double / Mirror SelfThe UncannySuburban GothicPerson vs SupernaturalScaredRelentless DreadKnowledge as CurseThe Unfinished CycleThe Wound That Won't HealSurvival vs Morality