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Analog horror is a new subgenre of found-footage webhorror that became mainstream in the 2010s. The lost-footage horror genre gained popularity with the Blair Witch Project (1999). A documentary on the legend of the Blair Witch gone wrong. However, modern day Analog Horror usually is in the style of a public service announcements or job recruitment videos and typically is published on online social media platforms (youtube, tiktok, reddit, etc).
Analog Horror contains cryptic messages, low fidelity graphics, and is typically based from the 1960s-1990s. Analog Horror often relies on the fear tactic of ambiguity (more on that later).
One of the first popular Analog Horror web series is Kris Straub's "Local 58" (2015-2021). The series is based on a spin off of Candle Cove, a reddit creepypasta. The episodes don't have any real clear connection, but cryptic messages about the moon and sky and the service were hijacked by ominous broadcasts. This style of webhorror is what would eventually lead to the FNAF VHS tapes (a fan inspired analog horror), The Walten Files, The Mandela Catalogue, and The Backrooms.
So what makes these videos scary? Well, these series often have loud jump scares but I'd argue that's not what makes them creepy. I believe it's the ambiguity that makes it creepy. Blurred or distorted faces, muffled or intelligible human speech, glitches, nostalgic old music, and random silence. As humans, things being ominous often comes off as threatening. When it's hard to recognize something, our brains start to freak out because we cannot tell its intention. It's that feeling we get that something is wrong but there is no clear threat.
This series exploits that fear tactic, giving us just enough information to be concerned but not enough to spoil the whole thing. It creates an uncomfortable atmosphere. Loud 1960's swing music to complete white noise. It's jarring and awkward. It gives you anticipation, like something is going to pop out and grab you even when nothing happens.
Common criticisms of this sub-genre is that it's very lazy. And I agree with this. I think a lot of creators don't know where they're going with the plot, so they put a bunch of ambiguous vague messages that very loosely follow a plot and see what sticks. Vague things like "it isn't real." or "turn this off.". If the story isn't full fledged, it takes away from the mystery of it. And let me be clear, I don't mind the VHS effect. But I think we need to branch out more than just work videos and PSA's. I think we need to explore the young internet (2000s) instead of the same 1960s-1990s time frame.
An Analog series I enjoyed was Petscop. Most people wouldn't consider Petscop to be an analog series since it doesn't display the VHS effect. But i don't see why it wouldn't be. It mastered the atmospheric tactic, it's based in old media, and it's graphics aren't exactly mint. I enjoyed it because it broke the mold of most analogue series: it was a slow progression, it didn't rely on jump scares at all to be creepy, it is still ambiguous but we still understand most of the plot, and it takes a genre of early lets-play videos and turns it into a devastating story we learn with the protag (Paul). The music is mostly original and isn't the same 4 1950s songs. It's a slow burn for sure, but I think sometimes fear has to be subtle. It feels like new horror tries too hard to be scary on the first go instead of easing the viewer into this universe.
It does a similar tactic of loud music to utter silence but in a different more interesting way. Instead of music, it's Paul's voice as he narrates his thoughts and commentary as the series goes on. We hear less and less from him as the plot solidifies. Then you realize how much you miss his narration and you feel so alone, the last thing you'd want.
I love web-horror, and I would love to see it blossom. But I feel like the only way to thrive is to try your own style. It doesn't have to be a remake of the Walten Files to be good, it just has to be original and new.
But that's just my opinon. What do you think? If you were to make a series, what would it be?
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Slobber/Caesarean
I love series that use video games as their medium to tell stories, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one be actually playable. If I were to make one, I’m not sure, I think it’d be very simple but I always liked it when the game was meant for a specific person to play. The graphics would be hand drawn and tweened, I always really liked that style. Idk I can’t think rn.
I think currently, the best analog series out of the VHS aesthetic has to be Mandela Catalog. I especially like seeing the improvement throughout the videos and it has a story to tell too, which I appreciate a lot. I don’t feel like I’m wasting my time zolo.
Valle Verde is a Playstation game that I only skimmed. I don’t think I should say anything about it since I haven’t given it a chance, the art and animation though is very pretty, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a series made by Not-An-American (besides TWF whoops). UPDATE! I watched it. It goes too fast for my pleasure and has a lot of those tropes.
Another analog horror series that also does the old video gamey thing is Catastrophe Crow by Adam Butcher, although I believe it fits more into the category of ARG instead, since the audience participates with the series. To my memory, they had to send emails of possible answers and then they got the next piece of the puzzle. I don’t know if it's finished now but I haven’t dug into it since the beginning. The first video he uploaded was a commentary somewhat in the style of NitroRad or AntDude and what not. I remember it was about a guy who killed himself after the death of his daughter but once again, I didn’t dig deep. I know there were people looking into the unity assets and I have no idea how they got them but yolo ig idk.
Diminish doesn’t fit into either of these categories, I’m not sure what to classify it as actually. I don’t even know what to say, I’ve been staring at this section for like 20 minutes now. I would love to keep it to myself as something just special to me but I want to say so much about it. I think I’m going to say nothing, if you wanna watch it, watch it. I don’t think it will keep your attention. (Not saying that in a mean way)
Petscop will always be my #1 though, I would love to type out my interpretation one day. I would like to hear your interpretation(s) too.
To be honest, I don't have a specific interpretation of the series. I think it's a commentary on childhood trauma, pseudoscientific therapy, guilt, sexual abuse, and adoption. Not anything supernatural, just a sad story meant to make the viewer uncomfortable. Even the creator said the main purpose was to create an ambiguous creepy atmosphere. Nonetheless, theories and interpretations are appreciated.
I think we see most of these themes with Care's story line. In her bedroom there is a note: "A young person walks into your school building. They walk in with you. You're holding their hands. They come out crying into their hands, because nobody will love them, not ever again.". I believe Care is a victim of incest and she's expressing shame and guilt from her abuse. It's common for survivors of sexual abuse to feel ashamed and unloved after their abuse. I believe the abuser to be Marvin, her father.
On the lower floor of the shack there is a giant daisy and Paul plucks the petals to the game "he loves me- loves me not". I think the flower is a metaphor for deflowering (losing your virginity) and/or she's questioning whether her father loves her or not.
There is also the theory that Marvin impregnated Care with Mark. I don't like this theory, not because it isn't probable, but because it makes me feel sick.
Now, it is believed that Belle is adopted/kidnapped/both? Maybe Marvin wanted another child to tickle so he tried to condition Belle but it ultimately fails (quitter room, "i'm not tiara", etc). That's really all I could gather from that story line.
So why was the game created? Well, I don't like to think it popped into existence by a ghost. I don't mind supernatural story lines, but it just doesn't fit to me in this universe. We know Rainer created this game (some of the timeline doesn't completely add up, this might've been intentional or a mistake i dont know). I think it's his guilt manifesting, like he needs to set things straight before he dies. I think he feels disgust and guilt for what happened to Care and the others. But I think the reason he hasn't spoken up before was maybe a "what's in the family, stays in the family" mentality.
An overarching theme within this whole story is family. That's a given. I think what makes Belle and Paul's relationship so monumentally important, is that Belle and Paul chose to be a family. They weren't forced to. Paul's family forced him to continue the game and Belle was forced to be renamed to Tiara. I don't fully understand all of Paul's backstory and his connection to the game, an explanation would be appreciated.
I'm sorry if that was too vague, I don't really think it has a finite plot. It's just a string of stories in no order that tell a loose story of a family and the troubles within it. I'd love to hear what you thought of the story. Is Tiara and Belle the same person or do you think they're separate? Who's mark? What's up with Rainer? Paul's connection? Censored objects? Windmill connection? etc etc
by cat; ; Report
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Epic_Gamer_Pokémon_Ranger
The backrooms really got shafted by people in general, I think. The original intention wasn't to have monsters running around with thousands of floors. Now, I do like this, I think it's cool, and I LOVE a good categorizing and memorizing of large amounts of data (if you couldn't tell from the fact I love Pokémon), but the original intention of the backrooms was about the quiet nature of the whole thing, the unsettling eeriness of a place that looks so familiar but just doesn't quite line up with what it should be, and, in my opinion, a vibe of slight decay. And not all backrooms and liminal spaces are about horror. There's some beautiful stuff people have made, like the pool rooms. If you're interested, I recommend a video by Super Eyepatch Wolf that I'll link here that moreso captures what I'm trying to say.
I'm surprised to not see mention of Marble Hornets here! It has some jumpscare stuff but I think the tactic is well used. It's great with introducing interesting characters and scary build up in general. I own it on DVD with commentary and all that. It's great! I recommend looking into it if you've ever got the time. It was also an ARG/unreal fiction, whatever they're calling it these days. Your other mentions of different analog horror series and why they're creepy was spot on and good choices. I love the Walten Files and the Mandela Catalogue due to them leaning into body horror. Usually I don't care about gore, but once faces start getting distorted, it absolutely terrifies me. Unfortunately, I suffer from extreme paranoia, so I have to be careful when and what state of mind I'm in when I sit down to watch these works of art. The Mandela Catalogue absolutely plays on paranoia especially, so though I'm fascinated with it, it hurts me to watch. Lots of sleepless nights feeling like I'll open my eyes to something horrible. Lots of nights staring at my computer's screensaver to feel safe. Lots of nights sleeping with the lights on. You get the idea.
I think something leaning into tropes doesn't necessarily make it lazy, but without a good story to back it up, it definitely comes off that way. I'm not a very objective person though. I believe something is worthwhile if I enjoyed it (though not the opposite, to where if I didn't enjoy it, it's not worthwhile), so I'm not exactly the greatest barometer of what's objectively good or not. Now, I'll sit down and have a philosophic debate as to whether or not objectivity exists, but that's another blog post for another time...
I hope we see some more web-based horror stuff in the future too. Let's hope you're predicting the future in this instance. I had an idea for making a horror series based off of an old online game I play a lot, but I've not been able to cook up a plot or anything. I'd make something full of symbolism and vagueness, the sort of stuff that gives you a profound kind of feeling. Best thing I can think up is something like the Twilight Zone, which is a really good TV series that was well, well before its time. Would've done numbers in the modern day if you ask me.
Anyway, I'll stop writing an essay in your comments.
thank you so much for your input! I totally agree with the backrooms section. I think just the idea of being in an endless maze with no other being is way scarier than monsters lurking on each floor. The fear strives from being alone, adding monsters defeats its original purpose.
Also I never heard of Marble Hornets in my research! That sounds really good I'll make sure to check it out and let you know what I think if you'd like. Also yes, the disfigured proportions are terrifying! An age old uncanny-valley tactic, but it still gets me every time.
And let me clear something up, using these tactics does not mean the story is bad. However, if it purely relies on said tactics I tend not to enjoy it. But at the end of the day, it's a matter of opinion and a lot of people DO enjoy series like that. I don't get it, but I don't have to. Plus I'd love to read your philosophy debate post lol
Ugh and i'm so glad you brought up the Twilight Zone (1959) because I used to be OBSESSED with that show as a kid. It's what first brought up my interest in that uncomfortable uneasy feeling, or the creeps. And I hope a lot of more modern horror and web horror start moving back into that direction.
I think director Jordan Peele is very good at psychological horror and not relying on jump scares (I actually don't think he uses any jump scares but correct me if I'm wrong). His movies have an uncomfortable atmosphere, unique plots, hidden messages, and many many layers of commentary. Usually racial commentary. You can rewatch his movies over and over and find something new every time. The reason I bring him up is because I think he's a good example of a modern director moving away from the norm and creating something beautiful yet horrifying. Obviously, it's not analog horror. But it shares a lot of the same points in my essay thing
Anyway, thank you so much for your response. I love reading what other people think and their personal perspective on situations. What other things do you think I should cover?
by cat; ; Report
I'll have to check out Jordan Peele's stuff. I actually don't watch many movies/TV series, so it might be a good opportunity to do so. I do revisit stuff I've watched in the past a lot. I really do need to do a rewatch of the Twilight Zone. I saw it on TV when I was a really young teenager (it was for a special event on a TV station I think, where they ran a huge marathon), and I just LOVED it. I watched through it on Netflix a little while after, don't know if it's still on there (because to be honest, what is still on there?). I know too that they made a new series, but I have no idea if it's worth checking out. I've found many remakes/reboots to be boring or lacking the magic that made the original great.
Gore doesn't get me when it's used as body horror, but distortions absolutely do. The Mandela Catalogue absolutely destroys me due to it. I was also quite terrified of Slenderman as a younger kid, mostly due to the lack of a face. Us humans rely on faces to judge if something is dangerous or not, so lacking one just... takes that layer away. I still can't play Slender: the Eight Pages even though I think it's a pretty weak game just because the model for Slenderman is so uncanny.
My main debate with objectivity is that I don't believe it really exists at all (in most cases). If we take the concept apart, we find that objective fact still lies within our perception of the world. This perception can be changed by a multitude of factors, from the way our brains are built to the cultures we are raised in. Now, when it comes to physical facts about the universe, that's as base as you can get and I don't think you can really argue them, unless you want to say the universe is only objective when it's in a certain location (which starts to get into quantum physics and theoretical physics and stuff like that), so I'm really only talking about how we judge art and the value of certain things. So, if objectivity lies within what humans decide is good or bad, doesn't that really make it subjective? Is objectivity really only what a mass group decides is good or bad? Even so, it still relies on what some decide, with their own biases, brain chemistry, etc., is good or bad from a subjective standpoint.
This viewpoint really changed for me when I started watching sci-fi (mostly Star Trek, which can kind of be like the Twilight Zone but in space at times, especially with the original series) because I realized we can try to look at things from an alien's perspective. What's to stop an alien from thinking jumpscares without build-up are actually the greatest thing in the universe? What if in their culture, it's the best way to present horror for them? Maybe they have a worse startle response, maybe that particular thing has cultural meaning to them, or maybe it's something we can't even comprehend. Are jumpscares without any build-up or done in a way we might interpret as lazy really objectively bad anymore?
Yes, I'm kind of picking at the bones of it all, I'll admit to that. But I still think it's really interesting to consider that objectivity is still within the perception of human beings, so it has led me to the belief that objectivity in art really doesn't exist at all. The universe is just too vast to mass apply our concepts of beauty, logic, and technique.
It kind of makes me go in circles though. There are definitely things that are absolutely bad, but isn't that because the majority of humans have decided it is? Perhaps we can go the easy route and, like Newtonian physics, we can say that objectivity is true only at a certain point, and that point happens to be human beings. When you start moving the point though, perhaps to an individual perspective or a perspective that isn't human at all, things start changing pretty damn fast. In the end, we're limited by our perception, and I believe that makes objectivity to not truly exist, or at least, not at all points.
I'm sure there's holes to be poked in it, but this is the kind of stuff I LOVE. Unsurety, profoundness, stuff that makes your brain chew on it like a piece of gum.
As for other stuff to cover, maybe you could pick out some of your favorite moments in the Twilight Zone and discuss the philosophical stuff it's trying to bring to the table. The series has a lot of great moments in it, so you wouldn't be short on posts for a while. Since you were obsessed with it as a kid, I bet you have a lot of interesting stuff to say about it.
by Epic_Gamer_Pokémon_Ranger; ; Report