I’m kind of amazed I’ve been writing Fright Stuff this long and haven’t done cult horror yet. Honestly a little ashamed it took this long, because if there’s one trope I love, it’s a cult with unknown, malicious intent. The best horror books put you on edge, and since “trust no one” is basically the motto of a cult plot, it’s a perfect match. The paranoia, the feeling that the world is closing in around you; there’s no question that cults are particularly creepy. I also love that no two fictional cults are the same. Every author has their own take on what constitutes a cult— its size, its formation, its foundational beliefs, its grand plan— and the result is a vast array of sinister organizations, from the tiny but deadly religious sect; to the massive, “we’re everywhere, and everyone, at every moment”, highly structured organization; to your very own family, and the deadly heritage you cannot escape. For those playing along at home, check off a box on your card because that is a cult.
