Psychological horror is one of those genres that toys with the human brain, picking it apart and unveiling the deeper fears. Fears that were long forgotten or a new sensation of dread undiscovered before. Psychological horror brings that terror in the mind to life in the most fascinating ways possible. Movies, video games, and books have diverse methods of bringing out that sense of fear. Most horror movies today tend to stick to the shock factor of jump scares and loud music. Then there are games/movies like Silent Hill, for instance, that feel more like a monster softly creeping up behind. Yet that monster is also within.
Silent Hill is one of those series that, even when production or updates go quiet, still rests in the back of our heads. And with Konami announcing not only a Silent Hill 2 remake for the Playstation 5 but also Silent Hill f and other SH projects, fans are once again returning to the eerie, supernatural town like they never left. A town with a dark history and hellish themes that we get to come back to in the upcoming film Return to Silent Hill. What’s not to love? With the hype of the franchise in the air, let’s dive into what made this series so scary and unforgettable.
Twists and Turns of the Mind
Konami
Silent Hill would not be a psychological horror series if the elements did not mess with the brain. The town itself can manipulate its appearance based on the psyche of the protagonist. In Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, there are scenes where you, the player, are a therapist’s patient, and, depending on how you answer certain questions, you can change the look of the town, the monsters, and the non-playable characters. No one “town” is the same, even though Silent Hill is always in the same location with almost the exact map layout. So while we see the town through the protagonist’s eyes, other characters have an entirely different view of the town. Sometimes, like in Silent Hill 2, those realities intertwine briefly. There is no distinct version of the town that is “real”, which of course would send the mind into disarray. That’s what makes Silent Hill so intriguing as a horror franchise.
The monsters in the series are also affected by the character’s psychological state. Take, for example, Pyramid Head. This monstrosity was first introduced in the game Silent Hill 2 as the protagonist’s (James Sunderland) manifestation of guilt and desire to be punished for killing his wife. Pyramid Head’s purpose is to be an executioner, which stayed true to its character in the two film adaptations. In the first Silent Hill film, the monster truly is one of the executioners of the town’s history instead of his design being influenced by one. In the second film, Silent Hill: Revelation, his purpose changed due to both Alessa Gillespie’s and her good reincarnation Heather Mason’s psychological influence. No longer just an executioner, he is also their protector. Even when certain creatures appear more than once (like the creepy nurses), their purpose and design can change depending on the people around them.
Fear of the Unknown
When you are walking down an alleyway in the dark, the last thing you expect is to get attacked by gray creatures that almost resemble burning children. Silent Hill has implemented the fear of the unknown in the hearts of fans, horror lovers, and poor souls who did not know what they were going into. The atmosphere of the town is creepy enough when it is normal. Appropriately called the Fog World, the town, when first entered, is bathed in a thick fog that stretches for miles. This is a “dream-like” reality created by Alessa’s subconscious and the monsters in it are manifestations of her fears. Traveling through the Fog World does not seem hostile initially, but not knowing what lies beyond the fog causes anxiety. Especially since usually no background music plays in this world. Having no suspenseful music gives off the vibe that you are truly alone, waiting for something to pop out at any given moment.
When the siren sounds, the town shifts to a parallel version of itself wrapped in darkness. The Otherworld is a sinister version of Silent Hill that is considered a border between reality and non-reality. Each character has their version of the Fog World and Otherworld. Much like the Fog World, the Otherworld started as Alessa’s deeper fears came to life. Her psyche and memories of the town affect the dark world’s appearance to that of a bloody and rusted ruin. This is how she perceives the town: a literal hell full of nightmares.
Throughout the series, characters with dark hearts not associated with the town at all are called to Silent Hill. Their psyche determines the look of the Otherworld. Unlike the Fog World, the Otherworld is so dark that you can barely see beyond your hand. It has that same feeling as the Fog World, not knowing what lies in the darkness.
Psychological and supernatural horror are two halves of the same coin. While they work well as their separate subgenres, Silent Hill has always done fantastic things by bringing the two together. With the new film Return to Silent Hill in development, we will come back to the type of psychological horror that makes minds reel and stomachs churn. The movie will be an adaptation of Silent Hill 2, the franchise’s most popular game. Filming of the movie is planned to begin in February 2023 and the intended release date will be in late 2023.
