Slasher Girls

Top Ten Horror Movies That Scarred Me For Life

-A.G. Howard

There are ten movies I’ve watched over the years that left such an indelible impression on me, I experienced temporary (and sometimes permanent) phobias.  Here's a countdown, along with the emotional scars they left behind:

10. The Omen 

Daemonophobia – Fear of demons, most especially if they’re named Damien and ride a red tricycle. *shudders*

9. The Ring 

Chaetophobia - Fear of long, black hair – particularly the kind that hangs in one’s face as they’re crawling through the TV screen.

8. Aracnophobia 

Aracnophobia – Fear of spiders. Note to self: when a movie is actually named after a phobia you already have, probably not a smart idea to watch it. 

7. It  

Coulrophobia – Fear of clowns. The gif says it all.

6. The Birds 

Ornithophobia – Fear of birds. To this day, any ominous gathering of black birds can set my teeth to chatter. They don’t call it a murder of crows for nothing.

5. Mirrors 

Spectrophobia – Fear of mirrors. Who says it’s not a twisted, more sinister *you* looking back, sizing up a way to step into your life and take over?  

4. Flatliners

Mnemophobia – Fear of memories, especially those you’ve tried very hard to forget.

3. HellRaiser 

Aichmophobia – Fear of needles or pointed objects. After this movie, I’ll never think of the phrase “Pinhead” the same.

2. Nightmare on Elm Street 

Hypnophobia – Fear of sleep or of being hypnotized.  A premise like this makes you think long and hard about how vulnerable you are while you’re sleeping or unconscious.

1. Dead Silence 

 

Automatonophobia – Fear of ventriloquist's dummies, animatronic creatures, wax statues, or anything that resembles a sentient being.  Given I already had an intense fear of dolls before watching it, this one’s a no brainer for the #1 spot. Take a look at that dummy’s murderous eyes and gnarled, razor-sharp fingertip. Now imagine hundreds of them—in all shapes and sizes—coming to life in their dusty cases inside a dark, abandoned theater, and turning their heads to look at you. No further explanation required…

Have any of you experienced phobias after watching gruesome or disturbing horror flicks? I’d love to hear about them! Oh, and FYI, I’ve read all the stories in Slasher Girls & Monster Boys. Be prepared to develop a phobia or two … maybe even some new ones that have yet to be discovered.