Some horror movies require an evil entity attached to a house, a doll, or some complicated ritual. Others call for a science experiment gone wrong that puts man's ability to play God into question. But then some take the simple approach using a maniac in a mask with a sharp instrument of torture.
Simply put, sometimes less is more. A horror movie's plot doesn't have to be complex to be riveting. Sometimes all a movie needs is just the age-old conflict of good vs. evil, and maybe a few decapitated teenagers along the way to get that terror sweet spot.
The Mummy (1932)
If there is one Universal Monster that relies on the art of subtlety, it's Karloff's portrayal of The Mummy. No jumpscares, no overly-complicated force driving the action, just an ancient curse, an undead Egyptian, and a stellar performance from the titular lead.
The most complicated element in the film is Imhotep's quest to be reunited with his mummy princess, but even that is incredibly simple compared to some of the film's sequels. Simply put, it's a classic that never goes out of style one of Karloff's greatest performances
Psycho (1960)
"We all go a little mad sometimes." Although it was inspired by the twists and turns of Robert Bloch's original novel, the classic slasher Psycho really boils down to one basic plotline. A woman goes missing after a fateful encounter at an unassuming roadside motel.
The complexity of Norman Bates aside, the presentation of the film itself also didn't need much to create a wealth of terror. Is it even necessary to mention how one scene alone made a whole world afraid of showers?
When A Stranger Calls (1979/2006)
The call coming from inside the house is a tale as old as time when it comes to horror stories, and of course Hollywood decided to give it its own screen adaptation. Whether it's the original or the remake, there's only one big plot point to either film, a babysitter being stalked by a killer.
Spending the evening alone in someone else's house can get a little creepy, but throwing in an ominous voice on the phone doesn't do anyone any favors. Once again, it's a case of simple yet effective.
Open Water (2003)
Found-footage flicks are a dime a dozen, and while The Blair Witch Project is easily worth a mention, Open Water delivers better on a simple approach. The plot concerns two divers who are mistakenly left in open water after their guideboat accidentally leaves them behind.
The couple is soon set upon by various forms of marine life, specifically sharks, and terror ensues. The fear of being preyed upon is universal, but sharks seem to be the most popular when it comes to ensuring scares.
Jaws (1975)
Of course, when it comes to sharks there's only one film that tops them all. The plot of this Steven Spielberg classic can be summarized in five words. Look out, there's a shark! Throw in some spectacular performances and a chilling score by John Williams, and that pretty much covers the bases.
Although the giant shark wasn't exactly the easiest to work with, it terrified legions of moviegoers from beaches everywhere. And yet they were still hungry for more.
Hell Fest (2018)
The most complex element in this modern slasher is the set design, but that's essentially it. Hell Fest is essentially the trope of a killer hiding in plain sight, but with a bigger budget. That being said, it's a healthy reminder that sometimes all a horror movie really needs is a man in a mask with a sharp knife.
In a Horror-Nights-Esque scream park, a killer stalks a group of teenage victims as they explore the various haunted attractions, using the environment for ideal cover. It's perfect for classic slasher fans.
Friday The 13th (1980)
Speaking of classic slashers, it's impossible to forget the original Friday the 13th. Before a certain hockey-masked maniac took the stage, Pamela Voorhees set out on a sadistic murder spree in 1980. Armed with her various weapons and desire for vengeance, she laid the groundwork for the modern slasher genre.
It was a simpler time when all that was really needed for a scary movie was a maniac and a body count, and this classic has that in spades. It was simply a gory waiting game.
The Strangers (2008)
Inspired by true events, the threat of a home invasion is real to everyone. But when the criminals are more sadistic than the average burglar, things truly take a turn for the terrifying. And those masks don't exactly do much to help.
Two victims locked in a house with a gang of murderers isn't really a lot plotwise, but it made for one of the most unsettling flicks of the 2000s.
Hush (2016)
Hush is not only brilliant in its scares but its simplicity as well. It's one thing to have a masked maniac prowling around the house, but when the victim is deaf and can't even hear the threat coming, things get a whole lot more intense.
It's a sensory game of cat-and-mouse between the two leads in this brilliant but simple flick. When a Deaf author has to protect herself from a masked intruder, the anticipation and tension are positively palpable throughout the experience.
Halloween (1978)
John Carpenter perfected the slasher formula with the introduction of Michael Myers in 1978's Halloween. An escaped mental patient armed with a knife and a rubber mask was real enough for audiences back then, and it still carries a sense of dread even today.
The original was the perfect amalgamation of elements. Given the right circumstances, the events of the film could very well happen in any small town. No demonic possession, no evil curse, no cheezy special effects, just pure, old-fashioned terror.