Atmosphere is a crucial element of horror (vital for some) that seemed to taper off around the early 80s when campy slashers took over, and gory deaths of half-nude teens grew to be viewers' top priority. This isn't to say a well-shot woodsy slasher doesn't evoke a mood of its own. In fact, some overlooked outdoorsy kill-fests are among the most atmospheric films the horror genre has to offer (The Burning and Just Before Dawn, for example). However, an overacted death in front of heavy synths doesn't leave audiences with the same sense of unease as a slow-burning, persistent feeling of dread.
Most Atmospheric Horror Movies of All Time
