How Liminal Spaces Shape Psychological Horror in Pop Culture

Liminal spaces are eerie, transitional environments that exist between the familiar and the unknown. These places—abandoned hallways, empty parking lots, deserted schools at night—evoke a sense of unease, as if something is off but not immediately threatening. Psychological horror in pop culture has embraced liminal spaces as a key tool for building suspense, fear, and discomfort. But why are these spaces so unsettling, and how do they enhance the horror experience?

What Makes Liminal Spaces So Unsettling?

Liminal spaces often feel unnatural because they exist in a state of transition—between day and night, reality and dreams, the past and the present. This triggers a feeling of isolation and uncertainty, making them an effective tool for psychological horror. These spaces tap into the uncanny valley of environments—familiar yet disturbingly off—causing an instinctual sense of discomfort.

Liminal Spaces in Horror Movies

Many horror films use liminal spaces to create an overwhelming atmosphere of dread. Examples include:

The Shining (1980) – The Overlook Hotel is the perfect example of a liminal space. Its endless hallways, shifting architecture, and eerie emptiness make it feel like a place caught between worlds.

It Follows (2014) – The film’s dreamlike suburban landscapes, abandoned buildings, and nearly empty public spaces contribute to its surreal and unsettling tone.

Jacob’s Ladder (1990) – The film uses distorted and abandoned environments to represent a psychological breakdown, making the viewer feel trapped in a liminal state alongside the protagonist.

Liminal Spaces in Video Games

Horror video games thrive on isolation and disorientation, making liminal spaces a natural fit. Some key examples include:

‘Silent Hill’ series – The fog-covered, abandoned town of Silent Hill is a masterclass in liminal horror, with its shifting environments and empty streets evoking a dreamlike, inescapable nightmare.

‘Resident Evil’ series – From the desolate Spencer Mansion to Raccoon City’s deserted streets, these locations feel abandoned yet frozen in time, creating a sense of unease.

‘The Backrooms’ (game adaptations) – Based on the internet urban legend, these games trap players in seemingly endless office hallways, triggering existential dread through their repetitive, liminal design.

Liminal Spaces in Literature and Television

Books and TV series also use liminal spaces to create a psychological horror effect:

Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017) – David Lynch’s surreal masterpiece features locations like the Red Room, a space existing outside of time, making it one of the most iconic liminal horror settings.

House of Leaves (2000) by Mark Z. Danielewski – The novel’s labyrinthine house, which expands into impossible dimensions, is the ultimate example of a horror-filled liminal space.

Stranger Things (2016-present) – The Upside Down serves as a dark, decayed mirror of the real world, a liminal dimension that distorts familiar places into something horrifying.

Why These Eerie Spaces Are So Effective in Psychological Horror

The power of liminal spaces in horror lies in their ability to make us question reality. They distort time, space, and memory, trapping characters (and audiences) in a world where normal rules don’t apply. This in-between state reflects the psychological turmoil of the characters, making their fears feel even more real.

Liminal spaces have become a defining feature of psychological horror in pop culture. Whether in films, video games, or literature, they create a sense of unease, isolation, and unreality that lingers in the mind long after the experience is over. As horror continues to evolve, liminal spaces will remain a crucial tool in crafting deeply unsettling and immersive horror experiences.

Also Read: How Set Design in Movies Uses Neuroarchitecture to Influence Emotion

–Silviya.Y