The phrase describes online communities, specifically on the Reddit platform, where users discuss and recommend horror films they consider genuinely frightening. These discussions revolve around titles that elicit fear and unease, distinguishing them from movies that are merely suspenseful or gory. An example of such a discussion might involve a thread where users debate the merits of films like “The Exorcist” or “Hereditary” based on their effectiveness in scaring the audience.
The importance of these online forums lies in their ability to provide curated recommendations within a genre often saturated with varying degrees of quality and scare factor. Participants benefit from shared experiences and diverse opinions, allowing for discovery of less mainstream horror films that resonate with specific fears or preferences. Historically, horror movie recommendations were largely driven by critical reviews or word-of-mouth. However, these online communities offer a more democratic and immediate form of evaluation.