What is uncanny valley horror?

Uncanny valley horror refers to the feeling of unease or discomfort that arises when a humanlike object or creature looks almost, but not quite, realistic. The term "uncanny valley" was first coined by robotics expert Masahiro Mori in 1970 and refers to the dip in emotional response that occurs when a humanoid robot or other object becomes almost but not quite realistic, producing a feeling of unease or revulsion in the viewer.

In horror, this effect is often used to create a sense of uncanny horror or horror that is both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Examples of uncanny valley horror include lifelike dolls, CGI characters, and even some prosthetic makeup effects in movies and TV shows.

The idea behind uncanny valley horror is that the closer something looks to being human or animal, the more frightening it becomes when it falls short. This effect can be used to great effect in horror stories to create a sense of unease and discomfort in the viewer, making them more susceptible to scares and jump scares.