The uncanny

Definition

The uncanny refers to a psychological phenomenon that evokes feelings of discomfort and eeriness when something familiar is rendered strange or unsettling. It often appears in horror by highlighting the tension between reality and the bizarre, causing audiences to question their perceptions of normality. This term is closely linked to themes of fear, the unexpected, and the blurred lines between the real and the supernatural.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The uncanny often manifests through familiar settings, objects, or characters that are altered in subtle ways, leading to feelings of unease.
2. Freud's 1919 essay 'The Uncanny' discusses how repressed fears and desires can resurface in unexpected forms, creating a sense of disquiet.
3. In film and literature, the uncanny can be utilized to enhance suspense by creating an atmosphere where viewers feel both intrigued and disturbed.
4. The concept plays a vital role in ghost stories and horror narratives, where the appearance of familiar figures or locations triggers a visceral reaction.
5. The uncanny can also relate to technology, where advancements in AI or robotics can elicit feelings of discomfort due to their human-like qualities.

Review Questions

• How does the uncanny contribute to the effectiveness of horror storytelling?
  • The uncanny enhances horror storytelling by creating a sense of discomfort through familiar elements that become strange. This tension captivates audiences, as they grapple with their understanding of reality while encountering bizarre twists. By tapping into repressed fears and unsettling familiarities, the uncanny engages viewers on both emotional and psychological levels, making their experience more immersive and impactful.
• In what ways does Freud's analysis of the uncanny inform our understanding of its role in horror films?
  • Freud's analysis provides insights into how the uncanny operates within horror films by emphasizing the psychological aspects of fear. He suggests that experiences that evoke feelings of uncanniness often relate to repressed memories or desires resurfacing unexpectedly. This perspective helps filmmakers craft narratives that resonate with viewers' internal conflicts, allowing them to experience profound unease as familiar objects or scenarios are transformed into something unsettling.
• Evaluate how the concept of the uncanny can be applied to modern technological advancements in horror narratives.
  • The concept of the uncanny is increasingly relevant as technology evolves, particularly in horror narratives involving artificial intelligence or robotics. As these technologies become more lifelike, they blur the line between human and machine, evoking discomfort. This discomfort can be strategically used in storytelling to challenge societal perceptions about technology while amplifying fear through familiar yet altered entities. By leveraging this tension, creators can explore deeper philosophical questions about identity and existence within modern horror contexts.

Related terms

Uncanny Valley: A concept in robotics and artificial intelligence that suggests humanoid objects that closely resemble real humans provoke unease or discomfort as they become more lifelike but still fall short.

Familiarity: The quality of being well-known or easily recognized, which can create a stark contrast when something familiar takes on an unsettling or distorted form.

Psychological Horror: A subgenre of horror that focuses on the mental and emotional states of characters, often using the uncanny to create dread through internal conflicts and perceptions.