Scared and powerless

[Ihe]

and I like to be frightened by a movie!

Wanting to be frightened in the case of a movie or book should be a necessity if fright is to take place. IMO, there is a certain reader/audience predisposition that is vital for horror to have its effect. If, without any previous knowledge, you're told "It" is a comedy before going in to see it, it's probable that its effects might be diminished or altogether countered.

 

[night_wrtr]

I disagree. The greatest fear is fear of the unknown. Monsters live in the dark. Keep your antagonist in the shadows for as long as you can. They will always be perceived as more powerful as long as you do that.

"Horror" is psychological, to me.

Maybe we're not afraid OF Pennywise, but we fear FOR the children.

The Blair Witch Project did that for me. The story preyed on the fear of the unknown, and its characters were put in situations that instilled fear. I constantly thought about how I would react if I were in the situation. It wasn't simply an evil character to fight, but an attack on the nerves.

 

[Ihe]

Yeah, that movie is all about the unknown. Quite unsettling.